Biology


BS - Program Requirements

Mark L. McKinnon, Ph.D., Dean, School of Mathematics & Sciences

Jim & Helen Lee Fugitte Science Center, Room 323

(270) 384-8092                 mckinnonm@lindsey.edu

 

Laura Nissley, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

Jim & Helen Lee Fugitte Science Center, Room 123

(270) 384-8229                 nissleyl@lindsey.edu

 

Full-time program faculty: Sara Ash, Ph.D.; Michael J. Bosela, Ph.D.; Melissa Clauson, Ph.D.; Tabitha Ellis, M.S.; Kalvin J. Gregory, Ph.D.; Brian Hilker, Ph.D.; Andrew Johnson, Ph.D.; Laura Nissley, Ph.D.

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the biology program is to provide students with the resources to develop a broad knowledge base in biology and the skills necessary to be successful in attaining their chosen career goals for entry into pre-professional health care fields such as medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy or for entry into biology graduate programs or entry-level positions in field biology. In addition to the factual content, students learn the historical basis and the scientific methodology of each major conceptual area of biology.

 

Students in the biology major have the option of obtaining a general biology degree that offers maximal flexibility in terms of the different combinations of program electives or of graduating with an emphasis in one of three topic areas: cell & molecular biology, environmental & organismal biology, or health & medicine. Students who choose to major with an emphasis will take program electives related to their focus area as outlined below. The cell & molecular biology emphasis is designed for students interested in research careers. The environmental & organismal biology emphasis is designed for students interested in careers in natural resources management or field biology. The health & medicine emphasis is designed for students interested in earning degrees from professional schools (medical school, pharmacy school, physical therapy school, veterinary school, etc.). A student’s transcript will indicate the emphasis.

 

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major will simultaneously fulfill general education requirements. Please see the Graduation Requirements (bachelor’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

 

Students should note that the major provides fewer than the required 39 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework, therefore students will need to complete additional 3000-4000 level coursework to meet this requirement.

 

Entrance Criteria

Acceptance into the biology program is predicated on the successful completion of freshman biology courses BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C.

 

Program Requirements: 50-68 hours

Along with the general education program, students must complete the major’s prerequisites and core requirements, must select an emphasis area, and must complete the requirements for that area.

 

A.        Prerequisites: 11-24 hours

  • Introduction to Cellular Biology (BIOL 1204) is a prerequisite for BIOL 2204, BIOL 2314, BIOL 2603, BIOL 3103, BIOL 3204, BIOL 3304, and SCI 2101 – 4 hours
  • College Algebra (MATH 1013), Precalculus (MATH 1124), Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (MATH 2315),  or  a minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent is a prerequisite for BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 – 3-5 hours
  • College Algebra (MATH 1013)  or  a minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent is a prerequisite for CHEM 1214 – 3 hours
  • General Chemistry I with Lab (CHEM 1214) is a prerequisite for CHEM 1224 – 4 hours
  • General Chemistry II with Lab (CHEM 1224) is a prerequisite for BIOL 3103, BIOL 3204, CHEM 3312, and CHEM 3313 – 4 hours
  • Organic Chemistry II Lecture (CHEM 3323) and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (CHEM 3322) are prerequisites for CHEM 4104 – 5 hours
  • Principles of Psychology (PSYC 1003) is the prerequisite for PSYC 4403 – 3 hours

B.        Core Requirements: 27-28 hours

  • Introduction to Biodiversity (BIOL 1214) – 4 hours
  • Animal Diversity (BIOL 2204)  or  Plant Diversity (BIOL 2314) – 4 hours
  • Genetics (BIOL 3204) – 4 hours
  • Ecology (BIOL 3304)  or  Theory of Natural Selection (BIOL 3403) – 3-4 hours
  • Seminar I (BIOL 4912) – 2 hours
  • Seminar II (BIOL 4921) – 1 hour
  • Organic Chemistry I Lecture (CHEM 3313) – 3 hours
  • Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (CHEM 3312) – 2 hours
  • Experimental Statistics (MATH 2403) – 3 hours
  • Introduction to Scientific Communication (SCI 2101) – 1 hour

 

C.        Emphasis Area (select one of the following areas): 12-16 hours

Select at least four courses within the emphasis not taken as core requirements. Two of the courses must be 3000-4000 level (6-8 hours). Students who do not wish to major with an emphasis (General) must take four courses from any of the emphasis areas.

 

1 – Cell & Molecular Biology Emphasis (choose four of the following courses): 13-15 hours

  • Microbiology (BIOL 2104) – 4 hours
  • Cell Biology (BIOL 3103) – 3 hours
  • Immunology (BIOL 3703) – 3 hours
  • Human Genetics (BIOL 4213) – 3 hours
  • Molecular Biology (BIOL 4404) – 4 hours
  • Biochemistry (CHEM 4104) – 4 hours

 

2 – Environmental & Organismal Biology Emphasis (choose four of the following courses): 13-16 hours

  • Animal Diversity (BIOL 2204) if not taken for the Core – 4 hours
  • Plant Diversity (BIOL 2314) if not taken for the Core – 4 hours
  • Environmental Science (BIOL 2604) – 4 hours
  • Ecology (BIOL 3304) if not taken for the Core – 4 hours
  • Theory of Natural Selection (BIOL 3403) if not taken for the Core – 3 hours
  • Economic Botany (BIOL 3503) – 3 hours
  • Animal Behavior (BIOL 3513) – 3 hours
  • Plant Propagation (BIOL 4214) – 4 hours
  • Animal Physiology (BIOL 4314) – 4 hours
  • Aquatic Biology (BIOL 4604) – 4 hours

 

3 – Health & Medicine Emphasis (choose four of the following courses): 12-15 hours

  •  Microbiology (BIOL 2104) – 4 hours
  • Human Anatomy (BIOL 2614) – 4 hours
  • Human Physiology (BIOL 2624) – 4 hours
  • Cell Biology (BIOL 3103) – 3 hours
  • Pathophysiology (BIOL 3203) – 3 hours
  • Immunology (BIOL 3703) – 3 hours
  • Human Genetics (BIOL 4213) – 3 hours
  • Biochemistry (CHEM 4104) – 4 hours
  • Physiological Psychology (PSYC 4403) – 3 hours

 

4 – Biology Education Emphasis (choose four of the following courses): 14-15 hours

  • Microbiology (BIOL 2104) – 4 hours
  • Animal Diversity (BIOL 2204) if not taken for the Core – 4 hours
  • Plant Diversity (BIOL 2314) if not taken for the Core – 4 hours
  • Human Anatomy (BIOL 2614) – 4 hours
  • Cell Biology (BIOL 3103) – 3 hours
  • Ecology (BIOL 3304) if not taken for the Core – 4 hours
  • Theory of Natural Selection (BIOL 3403) if not taken for the Core – 3 hours                    

 

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology have the option to concurrently complete the secondary education 8-12 program through the education program and be eligible for teacher certification. The program requires 42 hours of coursework in education that includes a semester of student teaching. Interested students should contact the director of education for education program advising.

 

5 – General Biology Emphasis: 12-16 hours

Select any four BIOL courses not taken for the Core Requirements. Students may also choose Biochemistry (CHEM 4104) or Physiological Psychology (PSYC 4403).

 

Exit Assessment

Students must develop and write a novel research proposal on a selected biology topic; the research proposal must be written in an acceptable scientific format. Completion of the ETS Major Field Exam in biology is also required to exit the biology program.