Biology


Course Descriptions

BIOL 1103 – Principles of Biology – 3 credit hours

Emphasis is placed on establishing a foundation in scientific method and the cellular, molecular, and genetic aspects of biology. Not accepted as credit toward the biology program’s majors, minors, or areas of concentration. Course rotation: All semesters.

 

BIOL 1200 – Introduction to Cellular Biology Lab – 0 credit hours

Lab component for BIOL 1204. Corequisite: BIOL 1204.

 

BIOL 1204 – Introduction to Cellular Biology – 4 credit hours

Applies the scientific method of study to cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. Lectures are integrated with laboratory exercises. Successful completion satisfies the requirements for a major or minor in biology. Prerequisite: Successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of MATH 1013 or MATH 1124 or MATH 2315 or a minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent. Corequisite: BIOL 1200. Note: Students must first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course. Course rotation: All semesters.

 

BIOL 1210 – Introduction to Biodiversity Lab – 0 credit hours

Lab component for BIOL 1214. Corequisite: BIOL 1214.

 

BIOL 1214 – Introduction to Biodiversity – 4 credit hours

Provides an introductory study of the ecology, evolution, and biodiversity of life. Labs focus on a survey of life from bacteria through vascular plants and vertebrates. Prerequisite: Successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of MATH 1013 or MATH 1124 or MATH 2315 or minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent. Corequisite: BIOL 1210. Course rotation: All semesters.

 

BIOL 2100 – Microbiology Lab – 0 credit hours

Lab component for BIOL 2104. Corequisite: BIOL 2104.

 

BIOL 2104 – Microbiology – 4 credit hours

Provides a fundamental and applied approach to microbiological study, emphasizing prokaryotic cell structure, physiology, metabolism, and genetics and introducing microbial diversity (virology, parasitology, and mycology) and immunology. The laboratory is a two-hour series that correlates with the lecture. Lab skills include standard microbiological techniques, scientific inquiry and analysis, and bacterial identifications. Students will develop discipline-specific scientific writing skills by using primary literature reviews and writing formal scientific research reports. Prerequisites: Two semesters of college biology and one semester of college chemistry, with minimum grades of C. Corequisite: BIOL 2100.

 

BIOL 2204 – Animal Diversity – 4 credit hours

Study of animal characteristics and review of phylogeny of major animal groups. This course requires active student participation in animal dissections and collecting specimens from the field. Recommended for science majors only. Prerequisites: Successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214. Course rotation: Spring.

 

BIOL 2314 – Plant Diversity – 4 credit hours

Study of plant characteristics and review of plant diversity. Students learn Linnaean classification and use of dichotomous keys, comparative anatomy through dissection, and plant kingdom survey. Students will complete a taxonomic collection of specimens from a species list of representative Kentucky plants. Recommended for science majors only. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Fall.

 

BIOL 2603 – Conservation Biology – 3 credit hours

Introduces conservation biology, the science of preserving biodiversity. Conservation biology incorporates biological principles in the design of effective strategies for the sustainable management of populations, species, and ecosystems. In particular, it explores the fundamental problems of habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat disturbance, and the non-sustainable exploitation of species in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Prerequisites: Successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 2604 – Environmental Science – 4 credit hours

Physical processes of the environment and their interaction with human development, industrialization, and pollution are examined. Labs with special emphasis on environmental ecology, resource management, and aquatic environments from a watershed perspective. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 2614 – Human Anatomy – 4 credit hours

An introduction to the anatomy of the human body. Includes the study of major tissues and major body systems. It employs the use of microscopy, models and dissection in laboratory settings. Attention is paid to the needs of pre-health science majors. A two-hour lab supports the topics of the lecture portion of the course. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

 

BIOL 2624 – Human Physiology – 4 credit hours

An introduction to the physiology of the human body. Includes the study of the physiology of major body systems. Course includes instruction on homeostasis and basic cellular physiology. Attention is paid to the needs of pre-health science majors. A two-hour lab supports the topics of the lecture portion of the course. Prerequisite: BIOL 2614 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

 

BIOL 2702 – Medical Terminology – 2 credit hours

Introduces basic health care terminology. Prefixes, roots, and suffixes, along with the breakdown of words into separate definite components, are used to ascertain the meaning of words associated with healthcare careers. Self-paced learning for mastery of the material. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 3103 – Cell Biology – 3 credit hours

An integration of biological, chemical, and physical aspects of the cell. Lectures emphasize molecular processes in the cell including organelle structure and function, membranes, cytoskeleton, respiration, trafficking, and signaling. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 and CHEM 1224 with a minimum grade of C. Recommended: CHEM 3322 and CHEM 3323. Course rotation: Spring.

 

BIOL 3203 – Pathophysiology – 3 credit hours

Emphasis on physiological mechanisms in regard to disease, pharmacological actions, and providing a bridge between basic science and the clinic. Prerequisite: BIOL 2624 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Varies.

BIOL 3204 – Genetics – 4 credit hours

A study of the major features of heredity, including patterns of transmission; the nature of hereditary information; and the structure, replication, expression, and regulation of this information. Integrated laboratory exercises focus on the patterns of transmission, the nature of RNA, DNA, and chromosomes, and the regulation of gene expression. Modern genetic techniques – such as gel electrophoresis, DNA transformation, and PCR – will be employed. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204, BIOL 1214, and CHEM 1224 with a minimum grade of C. Prerequisite/corequisite: SCI 2101. Course rotation: Fall.

BIOL 3304 – Ecology – 4 credit hours

Concentrates on fundamental principles of ecology and modern topics of ecological interest, e.g., community and biosphere ecology and biodiversity. Laboratory of a strong field component that emphasizes various data collection methods, identification of local flora and fauna, and statistical analysis. Requires independent effort and may exceed scheduled time. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204, BIOL 1214, and SCI 2101 with a minimum grade of C and junior standing or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 3403 – Theory of Natural Selection – 3 credit hours

Considers the theory of natural selection from biological, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Students will read and discuss selections of Darwin’s work as well as more modern ideas in the field of evolutionary biology. Open to students in any major. Prerequisite: At least junior standing. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 3503 – Economic Botany – 3 credit hours

Surveys of various economic uses of plants including plants used as food, spices, oils, beverages, fibers, dyes, sources of industrial materials, building supplies, ornamentals and pharmacological sources for designer drugs. Recommended elective for psychology majors. Recommended: BIOL 2314. Prerequisite: Successful completion of a general education biology course (BIOL 1204 or SCI 1013). Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 3513 – Animal Behavior – 3 credit hours

A study of the history and development of science up to modern discoveries in foraging theory, reproductive strategies, sexual selection, social behavior, domestication, learning, migration, and more. The course employs special topical readings followed up by recitation and discussion plus formal lectures. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 3703 – Immunology – 3 credit hours                                       

An introductory study of the vertebrate non-specific and specific immunity and how these two corresponding immune responses work together to defend the host of invading pathogens. Connections will be made between the effective processes of immunity and organismal integrity. Prerequisite: BIOL 2104 with a minimum grade of C or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 4204 – Plant Ecology – 4 credit hours

Provides a range of topics from plant adaptations to habitat disturbance and succession to landscape ecology and conservation. Application of geographic information systems (GIS) analysis, global positioning systems (GPS), and habitat assessment (HA) methods will highlight the hands-on labs to provide students with practical job-related experience and specific technical expertise. Prerequisites: Junior standing and BIOL 3304 with a minimum grade of C or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 4213 – Human Genetics – 3 credit hours

Provides an understanding of the genetic basis for human disease with an emphasis on the principles and methods of molecular genetics. Topics include monogenic traits, cytogenetics, non-Mendelian inheritance, cancer genetics, and complex genetics. Papers from current literature will supplement lecture material. Prerequisite: BIOL 3204 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 4214 – Plant Propagation – 4 credit hours

Provides an overview of plant propagation techniques, from seed propagation to micropropagation (tissue culture). Plant genetics and breeding techniques are covered as part of the seed propagation process. Most of the labs are applied in emphasis and directed toward producing plants for an Earth Day Plant Sale. The class will be enhanced by field trips to commercial nurseries and/or greenhouses in the region. Prerequisite: BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Spring.

 

BIOL 4314 – Animal Physiology – 4 credit hours

Study of the function of organisms by a comparative approach with special attention to vertebrates.

Focus is on homeostasis, buffer systems, basics of osmotic control, nerve and muscle function, kidney, cardiovascular, respiratory, function, and metabolic processes. Laboratory is integrated with lecture and uses vivisection where possible. Prerequisites: Successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of BIOL 2204 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 4404 – Molecular Biology – 4 credit hours

Advanced theory and methods in the study of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, genetic engineering, and molecular biology including DNA replication, regulation of gene expression, protein expression and purification. Integrated lab exercises include DNA manipulations, DNA cloning and mapping, protein expression and purification. Note: Recommended for pre-health science majors. Prerequisites: BIOL 3204 with a minimum grade of C and CHEM 1224. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 4604 – Aquatic Biology – 4 credit hours

Introduction to concepts in lake and stream ecology. In lab, students will assess abiotic (physical and geomorphical) aspects of aquatic ecosystems, e.g., wet chemistry and physiometric assessments. Students will also employ various aquatic survey techniques to assess biotic aspects of lakes and streams, including rapid biological assessment used by state and federal agencies. Prerequisites: Junior standing and successful completion of BIOL 2204 and BIOL 2314 with a grade of C. Course rotation: Varies.

 

BIOL 4912 – Seminar I – 2 credit hours

The introductory portion of the senior capstone sequence. A comparative critique of existing peer-reviewed research prepares the student for a study of current literature in a selected biology topic of the student’s interest. Students will prepare and practice two short oral presentations on the initial stages of their research project. Students will submit a novel biology research proposal in draft form at the end of the course integrating multiple peer-reviewed references into a cohesive proposal. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIOL 3204, MATH 2403, and junior standing in the biology program. Course rotation: All semesters.

 

BIOL 4921 – Seminar II – 1 credit hour

A continuation of the senior capstone research project from BIOL 4912. Students will finalize their written research proposal according to discipline-specific, written research standards. Students will formally present their completed research proposal to peers and faculty. Both peers and Faculty will evaluate the scientific validity and communication of the proposal. Note: Completion of the ETS Biology Field Test is required for passage of this course. Prerequisites: Senior standing and successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of BIOL 2204 or BIOL 2314, BIOL 3204, BIOL 3304 or BIOL 3403, BIOL 4912, CHEM 3313, and CHEM 3312. Course rotation: All semesters.