The Department of Biology offers a broad, contemporary curriculum that prepares students for graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, and other studies. Biology students have the opportunity to participate in research with departmental faculty, as well as in exchange programs and studies abroad. The Department is an active member of Gerace Research Center at the College of the Bahamas on San Salvador Island in the Caribbean. This facility is used by students and faculty for tropical marine biology courses taught during the summer. Students and faculty are also involved with cooperative research at the Louisville Zoological Gardens. These activities and affiliations give students the opportunity to study life science in unique natural environments and at international research institutes. The Biology major enables students to be competitive for post-baccalaureate admissions, scholarships, and fellowships at graduate and professional schools.
Requirements for a Major in Biology, 43–51 hours
Basic courses: Biol. 130, 140, 219, 220, 231, 240, 313, 314, 317, 408, 419, 430. Required, related courses: Chem. 103, 104, 205, 206; Math. 117; Phys. 205. Students planning to apply for admission to graduate programs in the Biological Sciences should take Math. 118 and Phys. 206 as additional courses. Substitution for any of these courses requires the written approval of the department chairperson. For the maximum of 51 hours permitted in the Department, up to eight additional hours may be selected from Biology electives. Additional biology courses will not count toward the minimum 126 hours needed to graduate.
Requirements for a Minor in Biology, 24 hours
A minor in biology requires a minimum of six departmental courses with lab/field experience for a total of 24 credit hours. The minor may include no more than two 100-level Biology courses.
