M.S. Degree Courses
Depending on the selected area of concentration within the M.S. Aquatic Resources program,
courses normally taken by M.S.-seeking students include those listed below. Other graduate-level courses in
the Department of Biology and in other departments, as listed in the Graduate Catalogue, also may be considered
for a student’s degree program, assuming agreement with a student’s supervising professor and the M.S. Program Director.
BIO 5110 Seminar in Biology
5110A General
5110E Ecology
5110L Limnology
5110M Microbiology
5110Q Physiology
5110W Wildlife Biology
BIO 5336 Parasitology in Fish and Other Aquatic Animals
The biology and biological significance of the common parasites of man and animals.
BIO 5399A Thesis
This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded
until student has completed the thesis in Biology 5399B. Students working toward the MS
with a thesis are expected to enroll in thesis each semester in which faculty supervision
is received or laboratory facilities are used. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
BIO 5339B Thesis
This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues
to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Cannot be taken unless a
Thesis Proposal has been submitted. Students working toward the MS with a thesis are expected
to enroll in thesis each semester in which faculty supervision is received or laboratory
facilities are utilized. Graded on a credit (Cr), no-credit (F) basis.
BIO 5415 Ichthyology
An introduction to the morphology, taxonomy, natural history, and evolution of fishes.
Field trips will be made to collect specimens, and laboratory periods will be devoted
to morphological and systematic analyses.
BIO 5419 Stream Ecology
Class covers ecological theories, concepts and processes occurring at the population,
community and ecosystem levels of organization in running water. Lab includes sampling
methods, description and comparative studies, experiments, critical discussion of
literature and experience in writing manuscripts. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
BIO 5470 Limnology
Physical, chemical and biological factors affecting productivity in lakes, ponds, and streams.
Limnology sampling methods, chemical and biological analysis of samples, and hydrographic
surveying are included in the laboratory. Prerequisite: One year of chemistry or consent of instructor.
BIO 7312 Government Policy and Aquatic Resources
Examination of aquatic resources issues in federal, state or local governments, including examination
of goals and relations of different governmental entities to each other. Relevant international treaties,
and federal and state statutes in which these policies are embodied, are examined.
BIO 7328 Waterbird Ecology
Examination of the principles and practical methodology of waterfowl management, including techniques
in monitoring and data collection related to population dynamics and habitat parameters of waterfowl
species. Field trips may be required.
BIO 7412 Environmental Hydrology
Overview of the properties, distribution and movement of water over and under the land surface, in the
atmosphere, and the relation to sustainable aquatic resources.
BIO 7356 Pollution of Aquatic Ecosystems
Overview of the water quality degradation of aquatic ecosystems (rivers, lakes, wetlands, groundwater aquifers)
and their living resources from point and nonpoint pollutant sources. Topics will include aquatic ecosystem pollution
and impacts attributable to nutrients, heavy metals, organic chemicals, sediment, salinization and acid rain. Field trips may be required.
BIO 7366 Integrated Management of Aquatic Resources for Sustainable Use
Study of principles for the holistic, integrated management of aquatic resources for sustainable use,
including watershed and regional planning processes and consideration of transboundary water systems.
Linkages with other environmental components (climate change, biodiversity, etc.) will be discussed.
Prerequisites: BIO 7310 and BIO 7312
BIO 7412 Environmental Hydrology
Overview of the properties, distribution and movement of water over and under the land surface, in the
atmosphere, and the relation to sustainable aquatic resources.
BIO 7421 Landscape Ecology and Aquatic Resources
Study of processes influencing energy flows, nutrient and mineral cycling, and pollution of aquatic ecosystems,
emphasizing system and spatial analysis of watershed and land use features and characteristics.
Use of geographic information systems and remote sensing techniques will be examined. Field trips may be required.
BIO 7422 Wetlands Ecology
Study of the characteristics, classification, conservation and management of marshes and other periodically-inundated ecosystems,
emphasizing the interactions of physical, chemical and biological factors. Field trips may be required.
Prerequisite: BIO 4416 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
BIO 7468 Groundwater Resources
Study of the geological, physical, chemical and biological factors influencing sustainable groundwater resources,
including hydrologic linkages and interactions with surface aquatic resources. Emphasis will be on the karst
aquifer systems of Central Texas, and other groundwater aquifer systems of the United States.
BIO 7471 Reservoir Ecology
Study of the physical, geological, chemical, and biological factors that influence and form structural
and functional aspects of reservoir ecosystems. Lab focuses on field, laboratory and mathematical
approaches to quantifying and managing these important ecosystems. Field trips may be required.
Prerequisite: Biology 4470 or 5470 or consent of instructor.
Additional information on the
requirements for a master’s degree in Aquatic Resources can be found
on the Department of Biology’s listing on the Texas State online graduate catalog web site: http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/Grad_Cats.html
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