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GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES OFFERED:

NATURAL SCIENCES (LIBERAL ARTS CORE)

BIO 120 General Biology

BIO 121, 121L Systems Biology

BIO 123 Human Ecology

BIO 125 Biological Perspective of Wellness

BIO 126 Human Nutrition

BIO 150, 150L Introduction to Biology I

BIO 151, 151L Introduction to Biology II

BIO 208, 208L Human Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 209, 209L Human Anatomy and Physiology II

NON-WESTERN (DIVERSITY CORE)

BIO 235 Costa Rica Natural History

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PRE-MAJOR AND SELECTIVE ADMISSION

REQUIREMENTS

PRE-MAJOR

Freshman students who have been admitted to the University may declare as pre-majors in the Department of Biological Sciences by meeting either of the two following requirements.

(1) Students who come with ACT scores (or comparable SAT Scores) that enable them to enter the University without having to take a developmental course or courses and who have a math ACT greater than or equal to 20 may declare as pre-biology majors. A student with one or more identified deficiencies on the ACT may also qualify for pre-biology status after passing the appropriate placement exam(s).

(2) Students may qualify for acceptance as a pre-biology major after they complete (with a minimum grade of C) any developmental courses or math courses required as a result of low ACT scores.

Once a student has been accepted as a pre-major in the Department, he or she will be assigned a departmental adviser. Prior to that time, she or he will be advised by an academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center.

A student who has been accepted as a pre-major in the Department of Biological Sciences may enroll in courses in introductory biology (BIO 150 & 151) and general chemistry (CHE 120 & 121). Once these courses, along with a course in mathematics (MAT 112, 120 or 205), have been completed with a grade of C or higher, a student may be admitted as a biology major. Unless special permission is given by the course instructor and approved by the chair, a pre-biology major who has not been admitted as a biology major will not be allowed to enroll in 200-level or higher level biology courses (with the exception of BIO 202, 208, 209, 211, 235 and 272).

Transfer students who enter Northern with completed coursework in biology, chemistry, and mathematics (minimum grade of C required) that is evaluated as equivalent to that mentioned above may apply for admission as a biology major. Students without equivalent courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics and with no admission deficiencies may apply for admission as a pre-biology major. Ideally, this determination will be made prior to a student’s first semester of enrollment. If this is not accomplished in a timely manner, the student will be admitted as a pre-major in biology until an evaluation of transfer work can be completed. This assumes that the transfer student has completed any necessary developmental work as discussed above.

The plan stated above applies to those students pursuing degrees in biology (all tracks),  environmental science, and to those interested in any of the pre-professional areas offered by the Department. Since the core curriculum for all of these programs is essentially the same, the requirements for admission stated above apply to all programs in the Department.

Transfer Students

Transfer students obtaining a major in biological sciences must complete 20 of the required semester hours in biological sciences at NKU. Transfer students who have completed a year of major-level college prior to arrival at Northern are encouraged to enroll in BIO 155 (Orientation to Biology) at their earliest opportunity. This is a  1-semester hour courses designed to provide an orientation to the discipline of biology as well as to the department and its faculty.

DEPARTMENT POLICIES

Students must obtain approval of their curricula in consultation with an adviser in the department.

Six semester hours of cooperative education credit may be applied toward requirements for the major in biological sciences. Applicability of cooperative education credit to fulfill area requirements in one of the course groups will be determined on an individual basis. Arrangements to use cooperative education credit for the major must be made among the student, the student’s adviser, and the cooperative education coordinator in biological sciences prior to registration for such credit.

The degree of Bachelor of Arts, major in biological sciences is conferred upon students completing: (a) core requirements for a major in biological sciences, (b) core support courses, (c) requirements of the B.A. track, and (d) other NKU requirements for a degree.

All biology majors are required to take a sequence of two courses in the same foreign language.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

The best way for students to learn about science is by doing science.  Therefore, the department strongly encourages all students majoring in biology to participate in research with a faculty member. To prepare for this, students should complete BIO 255 (Biological Literature and Research) as soon as possible following the completion of BIO 150-151.  This course helps students develop the skills they will need to effectively research the literature available on a topic.  Upon completion of BIO 255, students are encouraged to enroll in BIO 399 (Techniques of the Biological Sciences).  Working with a faculty member in BIO 399, students will learn techniques they can use in BIO 492 Directed Research.  In some instances, students may bypass BIO 399 and go directly to BIO 492.

ASSESSMENT TESTING

Prior to graduation, all students majoring in biology are required to pass a comprehensive exam.  This examination is designed to verify that the graduating student has at least a basic knowledge of the broad area of the biological sciences.  This requirement applies to biology majors in all tracks but does not include those majoring in environmental science. Students will complete this requirement by registering for BIO 491 Comprehensive Examination during the senior year.  Those who fail the exam will not be allowed to graduate until the exam is passed.

FACULTY'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

1. To help students develop exact, critical, and independent thought.

2. To increase students' perception, understanding, and appreciation of themselves and of their environment.

3. To create student awareness of and interest in the role of the biological sciences in meeting societal and economic needs.

4. To emphasize to students the importance of interdisciplinary science experiences and proficiency.

5. To provide for students the biological sciences background necessary for entrance into a career or into graduate and professional schools.

6. To make fully available to residents of northern Kentucky and greater Cincinnati the resources of the faculty.

7. To maintain excellence of the faculty through continuing professional activity.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS

General Biology

Students pursuing a degree in the biological sciences may do so by choosing one of the six different tracks.  These tracks allow the individual student to place an emphasis on areas of biology that he or she finds of interest.  However, the faculty of the department feels very strongly that each student completing a degree in biology must have a solid foundation in the discipline.  Therefore, we have selected a core of courses that is required of all majors.  A grade of C or better must be earned in all biology courses that count toward completion of major requirements.  We have also identified a common core of support courses that must be completed with a C or better by all biology majors.  Details concerning the biology core, support core, and each of the tracks are posted below.

The curriculum plans presented here are designed to give students a strong background in the biological sciences preparatory to a biologically oriented career or graduate work.  While we don't offer specific degree programs for students with interest in botany, aquatic biology, microbiology, medical technology, zoology, or other facets of biology, such interest can be met by taking, as "electives" courses in these disciplines.  Details of such emphases should be worked out in consultation with an advisor.  A semester by semester curriculum plan may be ogtained from the department office or your advisor.

CORE REQUIREMENTS - ALL TRACKS

2006-2007 

Biology Core:	Credit Hours
BIO 150, 150L Introduction to Biology I with Lab	4
BIO 151, 151L Introduction to Biology II with Lab	4
BIO 155 Orientation to Biology	1
BIO 348 Gen/Cell/Molecular Biology I	3
BIO 349, 349L Gen/Cell/Molecular Biology II with Lab	4
BIO 255 Biological Literature and Research	3
BIO 304 General Ecology with Lab	4
BIO 491 Comprehensive Examination	0
Total Biology Core Credit Hours	23

 

Support Core:	Credit Hours
CHE 120, 120L, 121, 121L General Chemistry I and II	8
PHY 211, 213 General Physics I and II with labs (MAT 119 is a prerequisite)
or
PHY 220, 222 University Physics I and II with labs	10
STA 205 Introduction to Statistical Methods	3
Total Support Core Credit Hours	21
Foreign Language Requirement: It is important to note that all biology majors are required to take a two-course sequence in a foreign language. These courses may be used to satisfy the humanities general education requirements.

 

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CHECKLISTS OF REQUIRED COURSEWORK

FOR BIOLOGY DEGREE TRACKS

(IN PDF FORMAT)

Bachelor of Arts, General Biology Track	Bachelor of Science, General Biology Track
Bachelor of Science, Cellular/Molecular/Genetics Track	Bachelor of Science, Ecology/Evolution/Organismal Track
Bachelor of Science, Forensic Science Track	Bachelor of Arts, Biology Teacher Education Track

Course Groups

SUGGESTED SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER PLANS FOR THE VARIOUS TRACKS

(IN PDF FORMAT)

Environmental Science

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary degree offered in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics and Geology. It is designed to provide students breadth in the scientific disciplines associated with environmental issues. For program details, please see “Interdisciplinary Studies,” “Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science” in the Undergraduate Catalog.