Registration
Courses offered in the online M.S. in biological sciences program vary by semester. This page currently reflects courses offered for the Fall 2024 semester.
Fall 2024 Courses
BIOL 8400 Understanding Biological Inquiry
This course is designed for teachers and those who want to understand the methods and approaches to biological inquiry. It provides a broad background into the scientific methods utilized in the biological sciences and the application of inquiry-based teaching methods in the classroom. Note: BIOL 8400 Understanding Biological Inquiry will be more difficult if it is the first course taken in the online MS program. This course requires students to develop lesson plans which will be easier if they have taken one to two content courses. Instructor: Virginia Abernathy. Textbooks: “Intuitive Biostatistics,” fourth edition, Motulsky, H. 2018. CRC Press, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK; ISBN 978-0-19-064356-0. “Statistics without Tears: An Introduction for Non-Mathematicians,” Rowntree, D. 2018, Penguin Random House, UK; ISBN 978-0-141-98749-1. Supplemental text is provided for free by the author online: McDonald, J.H. 2014, “Handbook of Biological Statistics,” third edition; Sparky House Publishing, Baltimore: http://www.biostathandbook.com/.
BIOL 8420 Understanding Cellular Processes
This course is designed for teachers and for those who want to increase their knowledge about cell biology. Students will study how and where intracellular and extracellular molecules control cellular functions such as gene expression, secretion, motility, signaling, cell-cycle control, and differentiation. Instructor: Kaustubha Qanungo. Textbook: “Molecular Cell Biology,” Lodish, Harvey, et al., ninth edition, 2021, Mac Higher; ISBN: 9781319426736.
BIOL 8440 Understanding the Human Body
This course is designed for teachers and for those who want to increase their content knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the 11 organ systems in humans. Studies will include food processing and nutrient allocation, circulation and respiration, excretion, communication via hormones and nervous transmission, reproduction, behavior, locomotion and support. Instructors: Lisa Ruggiero-Wagner and Matt Turnbull. Textbook: “Human Anatomy & Physiology,” 11th edition, Elaine N Marieb, Katja N Hoehn, Pearson; ISBN: 9780134756363. Required: “Modified Mastering A&P Access Code.” Purchase online through Canvas using “MyLab and Mastering” link in the Canvas left sidebar navigation menu.
BIOL 8460 Understanding Plant Biology
This course is designed for teachers who want to increase their content knowledge about plants and includes the study of plants from bryophytes to angiosperms, including growth, photosynthesis, nutrition, reproduction, ecology, and evolution. Instructor: Robert Ballard. No textbook required.
BIOL 8480 Understanding Scientific Research
This course looks at research problems in selected areas of biological sciences to provide an introduction to research planning and techniques. Teachers will undertake either an instructor approved, individual project or participate in a group project involving their classroom during the academic year. Both are assisted by and under the supervision of the instructor. Note: The original idea was to have each in-service teacher setup a classroom experiment and have students help in data gathering. However, often this is not possible (especially during the summer) and most BIOL 8480 students have come up with a research topic not involving their classroom. BIOL 8400 Understanding Biological Inquiry and BIOL 8490 Understanding Scientific Communication are strongly recommended before enrolling in BIOL 8480 because BIOL 8400 covers experimental design and data analyses and BIOL 8490 covers scientific manuscripts. Instructor: Robert Ballard. No textbook required.
Fall 2024 Registration
Most of our students have other responsibilities, which dictates how many courses they take each semester. Many enroll in one class, others enroll in two classes, and some do a combination of one or two classes per semester. Typically, we recommend not more than two courses each fall and spring semester. Students may register for more than two courses after they have demonstrated that they can manage the workload.
- BIOL 8480 Understanding Scientific Research may be taken any semester; however, BIOL 8400 Understanding Biological Inquiry and BIOL 8490 Understanding Scientific Communication are strongly recommended before enrolling in BIOL 8480 because BIOL 8400 covers experimental design and data analyses and BIOL 8490 covers writing scientific manuscripts.
- BIOL 8400 Understanding Biological Inquiry will similarly be more difficult if it is the first course taken in the program and will be easier after you have taken one to two content courses. BIOL 8400 Understanding Biological Inquiry is recommended before enrolling in BIOL 8480.
Using iROAR
Students will use iROAR to register for classes. After you decide which course or courses you will take this semester, do the following:
- Visit the iROAR website.
- Click “Student Registration Services.”
- Click “Register for Classes.”
- Select the appropriate term: Fall 2024.
- Enter your CU ID and password.
- Click “Continue.”
- Click “Find Classes.”
- Enter subject and course number (example: BIOL 8480).
- Click “Add Class.”
- Click “Submit.” Note that students are NOT registered for a class by clicking “Add.” Students must click the submit button under their class summaries to be registered. This button is located in the bottom right of the page. A schedule is saved when “Submit” is clicked.
- Click “Find Classes” if you plan to take more than one course.
Key Information
- REGISTER: Online registration for Fall 2024 is open.
- THESE ONLINE COURSES RUN: August 21–December 13, 2024.
- IMPORTANT DATES: View academic calendars.
- GRADUATION: View Clemson University Graduate School graduation deadlines.
