Biology - 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 and is an option for the "Natural Sciences" component in General Education Requirements. Prerequisite: A minimum ACT mathematics sub score of 16 or an Accuplacer algebra score of 33-120 or Elementary Algebra. Note: Students must first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course.  Course rotation: All semesters.

1214 - Introduction to Organismal Biology - 4 credit hours
Provides an introductory study of animal and plant kingdoms, emphasizing structure, function, and reproduction of animals and plants. Lectures are fully integrated with lab exercises which include animal and plant dissections as well as plant growth experiments. Successful completion of this course satisfies the requirements for a major or minor in Biology. Note: Students must first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course. Course rotation: All semesters.

2004 - Clinical Microbiology - 4 credit hours
Designed for students interested in understanding the characteristics and activities of microorganisms and their relationship to health and disease. Focus on infectious diseases, causative agents, and treatments. The laboratory is a two-hour series that correlates with the lecture. Activities include aseptic technique for use of microorganisms, diversity and ubiquity of microorganisms, bacterial structure/classification, differential tests, quantitative techniques, medical microbiological tests, and hematology. Note: Pre-nursing curriculum, not acceptable for the Biology major or minor. Prerequisites: CHEM 1104 and completion of the general education mathematics requirement. Course rotation: Spring.

  2104 - Microbiology - 4 credit hours
Deals with fundamental microbiological principles and techniques, including: structure, function, cultural characteristics, and evolutionary and ecological relationships among microorganisms with a human perspective. The laboratory is a two-hour series that correlates with the lecture. Activities include aseptic techniques for use of microorganisms, cultural characteristics, and biochemical reactions of microorganisms, classification, and identification of unknown microorganisms. High school chemistry is recommended. Prerequisite:  BIOL 1204 and 1214 with a minimum grade of C or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: Spring.

2204 - Animal Diversity - 4 credit hours
Study of animal characteristics and review of phylogeny of major animal groups with special attention to invertebrates. Students learn the diversity of Kentucky fauna by participating in "The Great Kentucky Critter Hunt." This course employs traditional lecture and laboratory formats; it requires active student participation in developing a field collection. Recommended for science majors only.  Prerequisite:  BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: Spring.

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. Prerequisite:  BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation: Fall.

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. Prerequisites: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: Varies.

2603 - Conservation Biology - 3 credit hours
Introduces conservation biology, the science of preserving biodiversity. A new major discipline, 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: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: Varies.

2614 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 credit hours
An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human body.  Includes the study of major tissues and all 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. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

2702 - Medical Terminology - 2 credit hours
Introduces basic health care terminology. The use of prefixes, roots, and suffixes, along with the breakdown of words into separate definite components, is used to ascertain the meaning of words associated with healthcare careers. Self-paced learning for mastery of the material. Course rotation:  Varies.

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.  Organic chemistry recommended. Prerequisites:  BIOL 1204 and 1214 with a minimum grade of C and CHEM 1224 or permission of instructor. Course rotation: Spring.

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. Prerequisite: BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C and CHEM 1224 or permission of instructor. Course rotation: Fall.

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 and 1214 with a minimum grade of C and junior standing or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: Fall.  

3403 - Theory of Natural Selection - 3 credit hours
A study of the writings of Ernst Mayr as a tool for understanding the fundamental philosophical reasoning supporting Darwin's discovery. Takes the student from the time of Darwin and finishes with modern discoveries by this now 150-year-old research program. Employs recitation and lecture format. Note: This course is recommended as an elective to junior or senior students of any discipline. Course rotation: Spring.

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.  BIOL 2314 recommended.  Prerequisite:  Successful completion of a general education biology course (BIOL 1204 or SCI 1013).  Course rotation: Varies.

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. A few field trips to a local blackbird roost are required. Note: This course is recommended as an elective to junior or senior students in any discipline. Course rotation: Varies.

3624 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 credit hours 
A continuation of Human Anatomy and Physiology I.  Designed for students interested in human health, medicine and exercise physiology.  Course includes instruction on homeostasis, basic cellular physiology, excitatory tissues, circulatory system and blood typing, special senses, EKGs, lung volumes, and more.  A two-hour lab supports the topics of the lecture portion of the course. Prerequisite: BIOL 2614 with a grade of C or equivalent. Course rotation:  All Semesters.

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.  Prerequisites:  BIOL2104 with a minimum grade of C or permission of the instructor. Course rotation:  Varies

3901 - Seminar I - 1 credit hour
A study of current literature in a selected biology topic of a student's interest. Readings selected and discussed will provide the basis for research in senior seminar (BIOL 4901). Prerequisites: Junior standing in the Biology program. Course rotation: All semesters.

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 permission of instructor. Course rotation: Varies.

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.

4214 - Plant Propagation - 4 credit hours
Provides an overview of contemporary plant propagation techniques, including grafting and micropropagation, and emphasizing their biological and evolutionary basis. Plant breeding will be discussed as part of the overall (seed) propagation process.  The course also includes a strong research component.  Aside from the experimentation built into the propagation labs, students will work in groups to design and conduct their own plant propagation experiments.  Students will prepare research abstracts for the propagation experiments; lab reports and posters for their group research projects.  We will also design and execute a class service learning project.  Prerequisites:  BIOL 2314 with a minimum grade of C.  Course rotation: Varies

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:  BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a  minimum grade of C.  Course rotation: Varies.

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.

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 state and federal agencies. Prerequisites: Junior standing and successful completion of BIOL 2204 and BIOL 2304 with a grade of C. Course rotation: Varies.   

4901 - Seminar II - 1 credit hour
A capstone course that continues the analysis of a selected research topic of the student's interest formulated in "Junior Seminar." Students will submit a novel biology research proposal for completion. Note: Completion of the ETS Biology Field Test is required for passage of this course. Prerequisites: Senior standing and successful completion of BIOL 3901 with a minimum grade of C.  Course rotation: All semesters.