Major
Biology
Sciences. The program stives to provide students with a broad background in the discipline while providing an opportunity to concentrate on their studies in a way that facilitates their personal career goals. All students receive hands on training in scientific research through intense laboratory and/or field experiences.
The Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree candidates must fulfill General Education requirements, Biology core requirements, and Biology emphasis requirements in one of the following:
- Traditional Biology (default emphasis)
- Natural History
- Pre-Veterinary
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
Teaching Certification in Biology also available (See Education)
Degrees
Courses
BIO-100: Introduction to Biology
Credits 3A survey course for those not taking a biology major or minor. Three hours of lecture per week; accompanied by a lab course. Prerequisite: MTH 100 or placement beyond. Corequisite: BIO 101 or consent of Instructor. Does not count toward a major or minor in Biology. With BIO 101, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-101: Introduction to Biology Lab
Credits 1Laboratory to accompany Introduction to Biology lecture. Two hours of lab per week. Pre- or Corequisite: BIO 100 or consent of the Instructor. Does not count toward a major or minor in Biology. With BIO 100, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-102: Biology for Future Educators
Credits 4This is a laboratory-science survey course designed for those planning an elementrary or middle-grades education major. The course employs integrated inquiry-based instruction focusing on content that will be encountered on the required licensure exam. Five hours of combined lecture and lab per week. Prerequisite: MTH 100 or placement beyond. Does not count toward a major or minor in Biology. This course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-153: Principles of Biology I
Credits 3The hypothetico-deductive nature of scientific inquiry is introduced and is used as a foundation for the exploration of cellular organization and function. Topics covered include atomic bonding, the structure and importance of water to life, macromolecules essential to life, enzyme kinetics, eukaryotic cell structure, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, an introduction to Mendelian genetics, and the structure and function of DNA. Although the course focuses on the cellular level and below, the importance of these structures and processes to the organism is continually considered. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 155. Recommended Corequisite: MTH 113 MTH 116 or MTH 121, CHE 113 and CHE 115. With BIO 155, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-154: Principles of Biology II
Credits 3A survey course of Earth's biodiversity, including the prokaryotic and eukaryotic domains, intended for students to gain an understanding and appreciation of organismal diversity. Special attention will be given to the study of population genetics and evolutionary processes. Taxonomy, phylogeny, and life histories of various taxonomic groups will also be discussed in order to address evolutionary relationships and morphological and physiological differences among groups. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 153 and BIO 155. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 156. With BIO 156, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-155: Principles of Biology I Lab
Credits 1Laboratory to accompany Principles of Biology I lecture. Laboratory work provides hands-on activities to teach laboratory skills and support the concepts presented in the lecture. Lab activities will include investigations of the metabolic processes of respiration and photosynthesis, mitosis, and basic genetics principles. Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 153. With BIO 153, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-156: Principles of Biology II Lab
Credits 1Laboratory to accompany Principles of Biology I lecture. Laboratory work provides hands-on activities to teach laboratory skills and support the concepts presented in the lecture. Lab activities will include dissections of representative animal groups and investigations of biological taxonomies. Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 153 and BIO 155. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 154. With BIO 154, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-200: You and Your Environment
Credits 4Environmental problems and their solutions occur at the intersection of natural systems and the human systems that manipulate the natural world. The course will provide students with an integrated understanding of these natural systems and the human systems that affect them. Emphasis on topics may vary, ranging from ecosystems and their management, health and nutrition, the food system and industrial agriculture, or other current and future sustainability initiatives. Designed for students who are not majoring or minoring in a science. 150 minutes of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Does not count toward a major or minor in biology. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and MTH 105 or beyond placement. This course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
BIO-280: Medical Terminology
Credits 3A course designed to build the vocabulary of students who are enrolled in or are preparing to enroll in a medically related program of study. Students will become familiar with specific prefixes and suffixes, which will enable them to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar scientific and medically related words. Students will also become proficient in navigating scientific and health related websites. Does not count toward a major or minor in Biology.
BIO-290: Special Topics
Credits 1 4A study of a selected topic of special interest for non-biology majors. The topic may differ each time the course is offered and may be proposed by either the instructor or students. This course may be taken for credit any number of times, provided that a different topic is studied each time. Does not count toward a major or minor in biology. Prerequisites: Depends on course offered.
BIO-300: General Entomology
Credits 4Fundamentals of insect biology and their relationships with plants, and other organisms; identification of orders and families of commonly encountered insects. A collection and field trips will be required. Lecture, three hours per week; laboratory, three hours per week. Prerequisite: One three hour course in Biology.
BIO-303: Introduction to Evolution
Credits 3This course covers topics in evolution concentrating on the Darwinian theories of evolution including descent with modification, natural selection, sexual selection patterns, the genetic source of variation, measuring evolution, adaptation, speciation, and human evolution. Prerequisites: A grade of 'C' or better in BIO 154 and BIO 156.
BIO-313: Botany
Credits 4A study of the development, morphology, taxonomy and physiology of plants. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: A grade of 'C' or better in BIO 154 and BIO 156.
BIO-314: Vertebrate Zoology
Credits 4A comparative study of the morphology, phylogeny, and ecology of representative vertebrate animals and groups. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156.
BIO-320: Genetics
Credits 4An introductory study of the fundamental principles and mechanics of inheritance, including human applications. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab each week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MTH 113, MTH 116, or placement beyond.
BIO-325: Ecology
Credits 4A discussion of fundamental principles of ecology including adaptations of organisms to the environment; factors that influence the distribution and abundance of species; population structure, dynamics, and regulation; community development (succession), structure and function; food webs, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. A special focus will be placed on the natural history of Kentucky as well as field study methodology and literature research. Lecture: three hours per week. Includes a required four hour laboratory, meeting every other week, with extensive field-work requirements. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156 and MTH 113 or MTH 116 or placement beyond.
BIO-327: Environmental Science
Credits 4An in-depth look at the natural science and social science components of the human environment. Topics will include energy, food and agriculture, water use, invasive species, global climate change, human populations, social justice, pollution, sustainability and public health. We will focus on global environmental issues in lecture and community-based environmental issues in our laboratory. Presentations and societal engagement will be required. Lecture three hours per week and three hours of laboratory each week with travel and field-work required. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156 and MTH 113 or MTH 116 or placement beyond.
BIO-328: Biological Data Analysis
Credits 3This course introduces the foundations of analyzing data in biology by focusing on the conceptual aspects of data analysis rather than the mathematical calculations. Students will learn about hypothesis testing, experimental design, data visualization, and how to choose the correct statistical tests when conducting research in the biological sciences. The course will emphasize the use of the R language in RStudio for all statistical analyses and data visualizations. Prerequisites: A grade of 'C' or better in BIO 154/156, and a grade of 'C' or better in MTH 113 or MTH 116 or placement beyond.
BIO-330: Comparative Anatomy-Vertebrates
Credits 4A comparative study of the morphology, phylogeny, and ecology of vertebrate animals, with an emphasis on function and evolution. The laboratory component will investigate the comparative anatomy of vertebrates through dissections of representatives from major vertebrate animal. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory work each week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156.
BIO-342: Mushrooms & Molds, Nature's Hidden Kingdom
Credits 4A study of the taxonomy, morphology, physiology, development, ecological roles and human uses for Kingdom Fungi and related groups. The accompanying laboratory activities will include investigations of evolution, phylogeny, morphology, and classification of regional fungi and related groups. A special emphasis will be placed on the diversity of our Appalachian fungi. Prerequisite: Grades of "C" or better in BIO 154 and BIO 156.
BIO-350: Microbiology
Credits 4A study of the morphology, physiology, genetics, and taxonomy of bacteria and other microorganisms, and their beneficial and harmful relationships to plants and animals. Laboratory methods of cultivation, examination, and identification of bacteria will be stressed. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory work each week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156.
BIO-365: Introduction to Ornithology
Credits 4This organismal course focuses on bird biology, including, but not limited to, identification, evolution, functional morphology, physiology, ecology, and behavior. Through couse activities, you will build a foundation of knowledge about birds in a way that will stimulate you to keep learning about them for the rest of your life and keep developing your bird identification and field skills. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better BIO 154/156 and permission of Instructor.
BIO-375: Animal Behavior
Credits 3A study of the selective forces influencing animal behavior. Focal topics include communication, sexual selection, parental care, group living, cooperation and conflict, dispersal and migration, foraging, and predator avoidance. Students will be encouraged to read outside material, to think carefully, logically, and critically about ideas, and to ask questions and defend their views in class. Some field work will be required. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156.
BIO-380: Developmental Biology
Credits 3This course integrates molecular, cellular, and organismal mechanisms to address the development of animals from a single fertilized egg into a fully formed organism. It will emphasize the growth and development of complex organisms, including cell differentiation, morphogenesis, pattern formation, and reproduction. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 320.
BIO-385: Applied Biotechnology
Credits 3This course provides an introduction to the principles, techniques, and applications of biotechnology. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts in biotechnology and how they are applied in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, environmental science, emerging technologies, innovations and new products in the biotechnology industry. Bioethical issues relating to this new technology will also be discussed. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 320.
BIO-386: Biotechnology Laboratory Techniques
Credits 1This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in fundamental biotechnology laboratory methods. Through a combination of theory and practical application, students will acquire skills necessary to perform various techniques commonly used in biotechnology research, industry, and medical applications. Three hours of laboratory each week. Pre- or Corequisite: BIO 385 or permission of Instructor.
BIO-400: Molecular Biology of the Cell
Credits 3Further study of eukaryotic cell structure, function, and regulation of activity. Topics covered include the structure, activity, assembly, "death," and targeting of proteins; membrane structure and function; the structure and function of eukaryotic organelles, transmembrane signaling; the cytoskeleton; cell cycle regulation; cancer; and techniques used in cell biology. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156; and BIO 320. Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHE 313 and CHE 315.
BIO-402: General Parasitology
Credits 4A study of the life cycles of the parasites of man and selected domestic animals, with emphasis on the clinical manifestations. Laboratory methods will include examination and identification of parasitic organisms. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory work each week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO 154/156.
BIO-425: Virology
Credits 3This course examines the principles of virology with an emphasis on human and veterinary diseases. Topics include the structure, genetics, replication, and pathogenesis of representative viruses. Selected viral research methods, epidemics, and pandemics will also be discussed. Three hours of lecture each week. Pre-requisites: A grade of 'C' or better in BIO 320 and BIO 350.
BIO-430: Animal Physiology
Credits 4A study of the functional mechanisms that enable animals to survive, maintain homeostasis, and adapt to changing environments. Emphasis is placed on the integration of physiological processes across organizational levels, from cellular signaling and membrane transport to organ system coordination and whole-animal responses. Topics include neurophysiology, muscle physiology, and cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, digestive, and endocrine systems. Comparative examples highlight the diversity of physiological strategies among vertebrates and invertebrates. Laboratory exercises reinforce key concepts through hands-on experimentation and critical evaluation of physiological data. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or better in BIO 314 or BIO 330 or permission of instructor.
BIO-480: Seminar in Biology
Credits 1Presentation of current and historical topics in biology. The course emphasizes practice in presentation of oral and written reports. As part of the course, students will be assessed regarding their knowledge of the field of biology. Prerequisite: At least 20 semester hours of BIO courses that count toward the major and senior standing or consent of the Instructor.
BIO-490: Special Topics
Credits 1 4A study of a selected topic of special interest. The topic may differ each time the course is offered and may be proposed by either the instructor or students. This course may be taken for credit any number of times, provided that a different topic is studied each time. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor.
BIO-498: Lab Internship (Biology)
Credits 1The student assists in instruction of a freshman level biology lab under the supervision of the laboratory instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor. Recommended: CHE 147. Does not count toward a major or minor in Biology.
BIO-499: Directed Independent Study
Credits 1 4Individual research or study based on the interests and needs of the student. Credit of one to four hours each semester for a maximum of two semesters. A total of four credit hours may be counted toward a biology major. Prerequisites: Eighteen (18) semester hours in Biology and approval of a sponsoring biology faculty member, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
BIO-ECO: Ecology
Credits 4Please plan to take one course from the following: BIO 303, BIO 325, BIO 375 or BIO 412. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.
BIO-ELEC1: Biology Electives
Credits 4Plan Biology electives to fulfill the area requirements. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X. Area Requirements: Ecology--Must take one course from the following: BIO 303, BIO 325, BIO 327, BIO 375 or BIO 412. Organismal--Must take one course from the following: BIO 300, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 365 or BIO 402. Cell and Molecular Biology--Must take one course from the following: BIO 350, BIO 400, BIO 430 or BIO 440. Physiology and Developmental Biology--Must take one course from the following: BIO 330, BIO 405, BIO 420, BIO 441 or BIO 471.
BIO-ELEC2: Biology Electives
Credits 4Plan 2 Biology electives at the 300-400 level from the following. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X. Ecology--BIO 303, BIO 325, BIO 327, BIO 375, or BIO 412. Organismal--BIO 300, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 365, or BIO 402. Cell and Molecular Biology--BIO 350, BIO 400, BIO 430, or BIO 440. Physiology and Developmental Biology--BIO 330, BIO 405, BIO 420, BIO 441, or BIO 471. Other--BIO 360, BIO 328, BIO 472 BIO 490, BIO 499, or BCM 300.
BIO-ELEM: Biology 300-400 Level Elective
Credits 13Please plan a Biology elective at the 300-400 level from the following. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X. Ecology--BIO 303, BIO 325, BIO 327, BIO 375 or BIO 412. Organismal--BIO 300, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 365, or BIO 402. Cell and Molecular Biology--BIO 350, BIO 400, BIO 430 or BIO 440. Physiology and Developmental Biology--BIO 330, BIO 405, BIO 420, BIO 441, or BIO 471. Other--BIO 328, BIO 360, BIO 471, BIO 472, or BIO 490.
BIO-FIELD: Field Biology Electives
Credits 4Please plan to take 2 laboratory/field Biology electives. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X. Laboratory/Field Electives: Ecology--*BIO 325 BIO 327, or BIO 412. Organismal--BIO 300, *BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 365, or BIO 402. Cell and Molecular Biology--*BIO 350 or BIO 440. Physiology and Developmental Biology--BIO 330, BIO 405, BIO 420, or BIO 471. The * indicates that in addition to BIO 320 the indicated courses are appropriate for students in the second year of their program.
BIO-ORG: Organismal
Credits 4Please plan to take one course from the following: BIO 300, BIO 313, BIO 314, or BIO 402. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.
BIO-REQ: Biology Requirement
Credits 4Please plan to take one course from the following: BIO 100 and 101 BIO 102 BIO 153 and BIO 155 Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.