BS  Degree                                                                                                                                                                             

Melissa P. Clauson, PhD, Co-chair, Natural & Behavioral Sciences Division
     Biology Program Coordinator
Fugitte Science Center, Room 216
(270) 384-8229 clausonm@lindsey.edu

D. Scott Dillery, PhD, Co-chair, Natural & Behavioral Sciences Division
Fugitte Science Center, Room 117
(270) 384-8105 dillerys@lindsey.edu

Full-time Program Faculty:  Michael J. Bosela, PhD; Melissa Clauson, PhD; Tabitha Ellis, MS; Brian Hilker, PhD; Laura Nissley, PhD; Robert Shuffett, MA, and E. J. Stewart Jr., PhD

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.

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. These two courses serve as prerequisites for all 2000-level biology courses.

Degree Requirements

A.  General Education Requirements:  36-47 hours

• Introduction to Cellular Biology (BIOL 1204) is a prerequisite for BIOL 2104, BIOL 2204, BIOL 2314, BIOL 3103, BIOL 3204, and BIOL 3304 - 4 hours
• Functions & Algebra (MATH 1013) is a prerequisite for CHEM 1214 unless waiver requirements are met - 3 hours

Note:   Liberal arts elective studies in depth choices may include CHEM 3312, CHEM 3313, CHEM 4104, MATH 2203, MATH 2315, MATH 2325 and PHYS 2114.

B.  Program Requirements:  32 hours

• Introduction to Organismal Biology (BIOL 1214) - 4 hours
• Microbiology (BIOL 2104) - 4 hours
• Animal Diversity (BIOL 2204) - 4 hours
• Plant Diversity (BIOL 2314) - 4 hours
• Cell Biology (BIOL 3103) - 3 hours
• Genetics (BIOL 3204) - 4 hours
• Ecology (BIOL3304) - 4 hours                             
• Theory of Natural Selection (BIOL 3403) - 3 hours
• Seminar I (BIOL 3901) - 1 hour
• Seminar II (BIOL 4901) - 1 hour

C.  Supplemental Requirements:  13 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 I Lecture (CHEM 3313) - 3 hours
• Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (CHEM 3312) - 2 hours

D.  Required Program Electives (choose any three courses):  9-12 hours            

• Economic Botany (BIOL 3503) - 3 hours
• Animal Behavior (BIOL 3513) - 3 hours
• Immunology (BIOL 3703) - 3 hours
• Human Genetics (BIOL 4213) - 3 hours
• Plant Propagation (BIOL 4214) - 4 hours
• Animal Physiology (BIOL 4314) - 4 hours
• Molecular Biology (BIOL 4404) - 4 hours
• Aquatic Biology (BIOL 4604) - 4 hours

E.  General Electives:  24-38 hours

Students interested in pursuing graduate-level work or technical schools in health sciences should add some or all of the following courses: 

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2614) - 4 hours
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 3624) - 4 hours
• Organic Chemistry II Lecture (CHEM 3323) - 3 hours
• Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (CHEM 3322) - 2 hours
• Biochemistry (CHEM 4104) - 4 hours
• College Physics I (PHYS 2114) - 4 hours
• College Physics II (PHYS 2214) - 4 hours
• Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2203) - 3 hours
• Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (MATH 2315) - 5 hours

Consult with advisor for an appropriate course selection.

Note:   The major requires only 30 hours of 3000-4000 level course work, therefore the remaining 3000-4000 level hours will come from a minor, liberal arts elective studies in depth, and/or general electives.

Note:   In addition to a major, a student may select a minor. Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take.

Note:   Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology have the option to concurrently complete the Emphasis in Secondary Education 8-12 Program through the Education Division and be eligible for teacher certification. The program requires 42 hours of course work in Education that includes a semester of student teaching. Interested students should contact Dr. Linda Young, Secondary Education Coordinator, for Education program advising.

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. 

TOTAL:  128 credit hours