The biology program is committed to offering educational experiences away from campus for our majors during May term. These courses integrate the study of biology with a travel component to give our students a unique experience that counts toward their major.
In the past eight years, biology classes have studied birds in Costa Rica, tropical ecology in Hawaii and Belize, public health in the Philippines, and marine invertebrates in the Florida Keys. Review our daily schedule while studying tropical ecology in Belize.
BIO 1044 Biological Interactions
A study of general ecological and evolutionary principles, including the origins, diversity, and interrelations of living things and their environment. Lecture and laboratory. II Natural Science
BIO 1164 Biology and Human Concerns
A study of general biological principles stressing a human perspective. This course will relate the knowledge of biology to pressing social, environmental, medical, and political issues of our time. The course is designed for non-majors and will not count toward a major course requirement in the biology pattern. Lecture and laboratory. II Natural Science
BIO 2014 Anatomy and Physiology I
An introductory consideration of the structure and function of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and cardiovascular systems with particular reference to the human. This course is designed for exercise science majors and students considering an allied health career. It will not count toward the major course requirement of the biology pattern. Also listed as PE 2094. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 1044 or 1164. IV
BIO 2024 Genetics
A study of the principles of biological inheritance: the physical basis and patterns of inheritance, cytogenetics, physiological and molecular genetics, and population genetics, as illustrated in plants, animals, and man. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 2064 Field Biology
Field study of the distribution, classification, and ecology of plants and animals. Student projects of field-oriented subjects required. Lecture, laboratory, and field trips. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 2104 Anatomy and Physiology II
An introductory consideration of the structure and function of the nervous, endocrine, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems with particular reference to the human. This course is designed for exercise science majors and other students interested in an allied health career. The course will not count toward the major course requirements of the biology pattern. Also listed as PE 2104. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 2014 or PE 2094. IV
BIO 2144 Tropical Ecology
A study of why the tropics experience a unique climate, how this creates a variety of unique habitats such as rain forests, cloud forests, savannas, and coral reefs, and the structure and dynamics of these habitats. The class also investigates a variety of other topics including structure of tropical soils, nutrient cycling, tropical forest dynamics, tropical species diversity, and conservation. Lecture, laboratory, and travel. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 2214 Vertebrate Zoology
Examines the diversity of vertebrate animals, including their anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavior. Investigation of the evolution of each vertebrate group and discussion of the major adaptations associated with the phylogenetic diversification of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 2304 Cell and Molecular Biology
A study of the cellular and molecular basis of life including the major types of biomolecules and their synthesis, the cell cycle, energy conservation process, cell membrane function, and organelle function. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 1044 and CHEM 1055. IV; V
BIO 2424 Special Topics in Biology
Offers special topics designed to address current issues in biology. Students are required to read original papers and articles on reserve and to discuss materials in class. Topics with prerequisites will vary from year to year. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 2504 Entomology
Examines the basic anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and behavior of major insect groups. The course will also explore how insects as pollinators, vectors of disease, and/or competitors have influenced human civilization. Students will visit a variety of natural habitats (e.g., ponds, forest, old fields) to capture and identify insects for their collection. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing insects found in Kentucky. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 3004 Selected Topics in Biology
Offers focused study which will address a specialized field in biology. Reading assignments and lectures will be based on original literature. Students will be required to make a presentation on a selected topic. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. IV
BIO 3015 Comparative Invertebrate Zoology
Principles of morphology, taxonomy, evolution, physiology, embryology, and natural history of invertebrates. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 2024 and 2304.
BIO 3016 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
The study of vertebrate anatomy from an evolutionary and functional perspective. Evolutionary changes in integument, skeleton, muscles, and the various organ systems will be investigated by comparing the anatomy of fossil and living fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Laboratory will include dissection of sharks and cats. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 2024 and 2304. IV
BIO 3026 Developmental Biology
Examination of patterns and mechanisms of embryonic development in various taxa. Selected topics in organogenesis are discussed. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 2024 and 2304. IV
BIO 3046 Microbiology
A study of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses and their beneficial and harmful relations to other plants and animals, including humans. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 2024 and 2304. IV
BIO 3065 Animal Physiology
A study of the principles of function of animal organisms emphasizing homeostasis and including organ systems. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 2024 and 2304. IV
BIO 3124 Field Botany
A survey of photosynthetic organisms with emphasis on those native to Kentucky. Material to be covered includes taxonomy, nomenclature, life cycles, identification of plant parts and plant species, methods of collection and documentation, and ecological associations. Lecture, laboratory, and field study. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 3144 Ecology
The study of how organisms interact with their environment and how this affects their distribution and abundance. Both applied and theoretical aspects of ecology will be investigated at the individual, population, community, and ecosystem level. Lecture, laboratory, and field trips. Prerequisites: BIO 1044 and MATH 1304. IV
BIO 3164 Ornithology
Investigates the evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation of birds. Field study will emphasize the development of skills for identification of North American bird species. Lecture, laboratory, field trips, and travel. Prerequisite: BIO 1044. IV
BIO 3204 Animal Behavior
Investigates the evolution of behavior in a variety of different animal species. Topics covered include behavioral genetics, learning, communication, fighting and territoriality, foraging, mating systems, parental care, altruism and kin selection, and sociality. A significant portion of the grade in this class derives from independent research projects that students individually design, conduct, analyze, and write up. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 2024. IV
BIO 3224 Neurobiology
An introductory consideration of the structure and function of the nervous system. An emphasis will be placed on neuronal physiology and nervous system development. The course will take an experimental approach, showing how current research is affecting our understanding of nervous system function. Laboratories will demonstrate applications of simple biochemical and physical measurement techniques to the study of the nervous system. CR/NC grading option with permission of instructor. CR/NC grading cannot be used toward the major or minor pattern requirements. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 2304. IV
BIO 3314 Evolution
Examines the social and scientific history of the theory of evolution from pre-Darwin ideas to the current ideas developed from molecular and developmental biology. Examines how basic elements of the evolutionary processes (e.g., mutation, drift, and selection) can create large scale evolutionary patterns (e.g., adaptations, convergence, symbiosis, and the emergence of diversity). Format: lecture/discussion. Prerequisite: BIO 1044, 2024, and 2304. IV
BIO 4002 Supervised Laboratory Teaching in Biology
A practical internship on how to run a biology lab. Under close supervision of the biology instructor, the student plans, prepares, instructs, and grades a BIO 1164 laboratory section. (Other biology courses are available to qualified students.) Students must have successfully completed the course they teach. Course is open only to juniors and seniors; limited spaces are available. Required of all teaching biology majors; recommended for biology majors preparing for graduate school. (1/2 course unit.) Course may be repeated teaching a different biology lab course. Standard or CR/NC grading. Prerequisites: 5 course units in biology or permission of instructor.
BIO 4034 Molecular Genetics
An advanced genetics course investigating the biochemical nature of genes and the mechanisms of gene regulation. A significant laboratory component will introduce students to modern techniques in molecular genetics. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 2024 and 2304. IV
BIO 4114 Immunology
Immunology is a study of the molecular, genetic, structural, and cellular components of the immune system. Basic principles of immunology also will be applied to allergy, autoimmunity, AIDS, transplantation, control of infectious diseases and cancer. Lab will involve independent investigations. Laboratory work will include experiments with animals, cells, and immunochemistry/serology. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 1044, 2304, and 2024. IV
BIO 4212 Independent Study
A study of the tools and techniques of research, of the use of the library for literature review, and of planning and execution of a research project, with a written report. (1/2 course unit.) May be repeated for a total of 2 units of credit between 4212 and 4214. CR/NC grading. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
BIO 4214 Independent Study
A study of the tools and techniques of research, of the use of the library for literature review, and of planning and execution of a research project, with a written report. (1 unit credit.) May be repeated for a total of 2 units of credit between 4212 and 4214. Standard or CR/NC grading. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
BIO 4304 Advanced Cell Biology
This advanced course is designed for senior biology students interested in pursuing questions of complex cell function. The biochemical and physiological details of cell structure and function will be explored, including an introduction to histology and cellular differentiation. Students will read primary literature in addition to a textbook and will do a series of short research projects in the laboratory. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 2165, BIO 2024, and 2304. IV
BIO 4444 Senior Seminar in Biology
The capstone course for the biology major designed to integrate and expand the student’s knowledge of biology. Utilizing a topical theme, the course will explore the realm of biological knowledge, how biology progresses, and how to critically evaluate a field of study. Topics will be explored through lecture, discussion, extensive reading of the primary literature, and a substantial writing assignment. Topic will change year to year and by instructor. Prerequisites: BIO 1044, 2024, and 2304, senior standing and biology major, or permission of instructor. IV
BIO 4904 Senior Honors in Biology
Execution of a research project with an oral and written research report. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisites: Senior standing, 4 course units in biology, a grade point average of at least 3.0 in biology courses, and permission of instructor.
Transylvania University admits students regardless of age, race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other classification protected by federal or state law or local ordinance.
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