Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

Biology, Bachelor of Science (525)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/biology


Program Coordinator

Douglas McElroy, doug.mcelroy@wku.edu, (270) 745-2405

The major in Biology (525) provides students the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of biological sciences and its applications. A minor, second major, or certificate is not required. The major in Biology begins with foundation classes and laboratories that build into a core of advanced courses and laboratories. In addition to a required core, students complete a range of biology elective courses tailored to their interests to support their career goals. The students can also apply up to six credit hours of faculty-guided independent research and/or an internship experience toward their degree program.

The program offers six different concentrations - Applied Genetics (BIAG), Applied Microbiology (BIMI), Animal Physiology & Behavior (BIAP), Ecology, Wildlife, & Conservation (BIWC), Integrative Biology (BIIB), and Pre-Medical Professions (BIPM). These six concentrations are designed to facilitate essential requirements and provide training for a variety of career pathways and advanced degree programs to suit student interests.

Concentrations

  • Applied Genetics (BIAG)
  • Applied Microbiology (BIMI)
  • Animal Physiology and Behavior (BIAP)
  • Ecology, Wildlife, & Conservation (BIWC)
  • Integrative Biology (BIIB)
  • Pre-Medical Professions (BIPM)

Program Requirements (54 hours)

This option for a major in biology requires a minimum of 54 hours in biology including 29-30 hours at the 300 or higher level. No minor is required. A range of upper-level courses are aligned with six concentrations offered within the major.

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

Required Courses
BIOL 120
& BIOL 121		Biological Concepts: Cells Metabolism and Genetics
and Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics Lab 1		4
BIOL 122
& BIOL 123		Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology
and Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology Lab 1		4
BIOL 489Professional Aspects of Biology1
Required Supporting Courses
BIOL 382Introductory Biostatistics3-4
or MATH 136 Calculus I
or MATH 183 Introductory Statistics
CHEM 120
& CHEM 121		College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Laboratory		5
PHYS 231
& PHYS 232		Introduction to Physics and Biophysics I
and Laboratory for Physics and Biophysics I		4
Total Hours21-22

 Applied Genetics (BIAG) Concentration 

Applied Genetics Core Courses
BIOL 224
& BIOL 225		Animal Biology and Diversity
and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab		4
BIOL 327
& BIOL 337		Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory		4
BIOL 316Evolution: Theory and Process3
BIOL 312Bioinformatics4
BIOL 319Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology3
or BIOL 382 Introductory Biostatistics
or BIOL 411 Cell Biology
BIOL 403Molecular Basis of Cancer3
or BIOL 495 Molecular Genetics
Applied Genetics Electives12-13
Suggested electives, include at least one with an associated lab component*
BIOL 319
Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology
BIOL 328
Immunology
BIOL 335
Neurobiology
BIOL 350
Introduction to Recombinant Genetics
BIOL 369
Internship in Biology
BIOL 382
Introductory Biostatistics
BIOL 399
Research in the Biological Sciences
BIOL 403
Molecular Basis of Cancer
BIOL 407
Virology
BIOL 411
Cell Biology
BIOL 446
Biochemistry I
BIOL 450
Recombinant Gene Technology
BIOL 495
Molecular Genetics
Total Hours33-34

Applied Microbiology (BIMI) Concentration 

Applied Microbiology Core Courses
BIOL 226
& BIOL 227		Microbial Biology and Diversity
and Microbial Biology and Diversity Lab		4
BIOL 319
& BIOL 322		Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology
and Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory		4
BIOL 316Evolution: Theory and Process3
BIOL 312Bioinformatics4
BIOL 470Pathogenic Microbiology4
BIOL 328Immunology3
or BIOL 336 Food Microbiology
or BIOL 472 Applied and Environmental Microbiology
or BIOL 407 Virology
Applied Microbiology Electives11-12
Suggested electives *
BIOL 328
Immunology
BIOL 336
Food Microbiology
BIOL 350
Introduction to Recombinant Genetics
BIOL 369
Internship in Biology
BIOL 399
Research in the Biological Sciences
BIOL 407
Virology
BIOL 446
Biochemistry I
BIOL 450
Recombinant Gene Technology
BIOL 472
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
BIOL 495
Molecular Genetics
Total Hours33-34

Animal Physiology and Behavior (BIAP) Concentration 

Animal Physiology and Behavior Core Courses
BIOL 224
& BIOL 225		Animal Biology and Diversity
and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab		4
BIOL 316Evolution: Theory and Process3
BIOL 327
& BIOL 337		Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory		4
BIOL 330
& BIOL 331		Animal Physiology
and Animal Physiology Laboratory		4
BIOL 334Animal Behavior3
BIOL 335Neurobiology3
or BIOL 377 Animal Form and Function
or BIOL 464 Endocrinology
Animal Physiology and Behavior Electives12-13
Suggested electives, include at least one with an associated lab component *
BIOL 315
Ecology
BIOL 321
Comparative Anatomy
BIOL 335
Neurobiology
BIOL 377
Animal Form and Function
BIOL 382
Introductory Biostatistics
BIOL 369
Internship in Biology
BIOL 399
Research in the Biological Sciences
BIOL 446
Biochemistry I
BIOL 464
Endocrinology
Total Hours33-34

Ecology, Wildlife, & Conservation (BIWC)

Ecology, Wildlife, & Conservation Core Courses
BIOL 222
& BIOL 223		Plant Biology and Diversity
and Plant Biology and Diversity Lab		4
or BIOL 224
& BIOL 225		 Animal Biology and Diversity
and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab
BIOL 315
& BIOL 355		Ecology
and Ecology Lab		5
BIOL 316Evolution: Theory and Process3
BIOL 327
& BIOL 337		Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory		4
BIOL 332Principles of Wildlife Ecology3-4
or BIOL 458 Fisheries Management
BIOL 382Introductory Biostatistics3
Ecology, Wildlife, & Conservation Electives10-11
Suggested electives, include at least one with an associated lab component *
BIOL 325
Insect Biodiversity
BIOL 332
Principles of Wildlife Ecology
BIOL 326
Ornithology
BIOL 369
Internship in Biology
BIOL 399
Research in the Biological Sciences
BIOL 348
Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 456
Ichthyology
BIOL 457
Herpetology
BIOL 458
Fisheries Management
BIOL 459
Mammalogy
BIOL 477
Marine Biology
BIOL 485
Field Biology
BIOL 497
Aquatic Field Ecology
Total Hours33-34

Integrative Biology (BIIB) Concentration

BIOL 222
& BIOL 223		Plant Biology and Diversity
and Plant Biology and Diversity Lab		4
or BIOL 224
& BIOL 225		 Animal Biology and Diversity
and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab
or BIOL 226
& BIOL 227		 Microbial Biology and Diversity
and Microbial Biology and Diversity Lab
BIOL 319
& BIOL 322		Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology
and Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory		4
or BIOL 327
& BIOL 337		 Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 315Ecology3
or BIOL 316 Evolution: Theory and Process
Laboratory Experience Courses (Select Two) *
BIOL 212
Genome Discovery Exploration
BIOL 312
Bioinformatics
BIOL 321
Comparative Anatomy
BIOL 322
Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 325
Insect Biodiversity
BIOL 331
Animal Physiology Laboratory
BIOL 337
Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 338
Immunology Lab
BIOL 348
Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 350
Introduction to Recombinant Genetics
BIOL 355
Ecology Lab
BIOL 356
Ornithology Lab
BIOL 404
Techniques and Theory of Electron Microscopy
BIOL 412
Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 447
Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 450
Recombinant Gene Technology
BIOL 456
Ichthyology
BIOL 457
Herpetology
BIOL 458
Fisheries Management
BIOL 470
Pathogenic Microbiology
BIOL 472
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
BIOL 485
Field Biology
BIOL 496
Plant Biotechnology
BIOL 497
Aquatic Field Ecology
Science Process Courses (Select One) *
BIOL 212
Genome Discovery Exploration
BIOL 312
Bioinformatics
BIOL 331
Animal Physiology Laboratory
BIOL 350
Introduction to Recombinant Genetics
BIOL 355
Ecology Lab
BIOL 397
Scientific Process
BIOL 404
Techniques and Theory of Electron Microscopy
BIOL 407
Virology
BIOL 412
Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 456
Ichthyology
BIOL 457
Herpetology
BIOL 470
Pathogenic Microbiology
BIOL 495
Molecular Genetics
BIOL 496
Plant Biotechnology
BIOL 497
Aquatic Field Ecology
HON 404
Honors Thesis / Project II
Total Hours11

Pre-Medical Professions (BIPM) Concentration  

Pre-Medical Professions Core Courses
BIOL 224
& BIOL 225		Animal Biology and Diversity
and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab		4
or BIOL 226
& BIOL 227		 Microbial Biology and Diversity
and Microbial Biology and Diversity Lab
BIOL 316Evolution: Theory and Process3
BIOL 319
& BIOL 322		Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology
and Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory		4
or BIOL 327
& BIOL 337		 Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 330
& BIOL 331		Animal Physiology
and Animal Physiology Laboratory		4
or BIOL 411
& BIOL 412		 Cell Biology
and Cell Biology Laboratory
or BIOL 397 Scientific Process
BIOL 321Comparative Anatomy3-4
or BIOL 328 Immunology
or BIOL 382 Introductory Biostatistics
or BIOL 446 Biochemistry I
Pre-Medical Professions Electives13-16
Suggested electives, include at least one with an associated lab component *
BIOL 319
Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology
BIOL 327
Genetics
BIOL 328
Immunology
BIOL 330
Animal Physiology
BIOL 335
Neurobiology
BIOL 321
Comparative Anatomy
BIOL 369
Internship in Biology
BIOL 382
Introductory Biostatistics
BIOL 397
Scientific Process
BIOL 399
Research in the Biological Sciences
BIOL 411
Cell Biology
BIOL 446
Biochemistry I
BIOL 467
Biochemistry II
BIOL 464
Endocrinology
BIOL 470
Pathogenic Microbiology
Total Hours32-35
1

Must complete with a grade of “C” or better.

2

 Elective Coursework:

  • In consultation with their advisor, students select majors-level coursework to obtain a minimum of 54 credits total, provided that at least 30 hours total are upper-division courses.
  • Students may count up to 6 credit hours of a combination of BIOL 369 and/or BIOL 399, and up to 4 credits of BIOL 485 toward this major.
  • Professional Programs have additional course requirements beyond those listed in PMP Concentration. Consult with Pre-health advisors.
*

The following BIOL courses will not count towards the BIOL electives nor the Biology major requirements: BIOL 113, BIOL 114, BIOL 131, BIOL 231, BIOL 207, BIOL 208, BIOL 295, BIOL 303.

Finish in Four Plan

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 120
& BIOL 121		4BIOL 122
& BIOL 123		4
MATH 116 (or higher)3MATH 117 (or higher)3
ENG 1003CHEM 120
& CHEM 121		5
Colonnade - Explorations 3Colonnade - Explorations3
 13 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 222
& BIOL 223 (or BIOL 224/225 or BIOL 226/227)		4BIOL 319
& BIOL 322 (or BIOL 327/337)		4
BIOL Science Supporting Course4ENG 2003
HIST 101 or HIST 1023BIOL Science Supporting Course4
BIOL upper-division Elective with lab4BIOL upper-division Elective with lab4
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 315 or BIOL 3163BIOL upper-division Elective with lab4
COMM 1453BIOL upper-division Elective with lab4
Colonnade - Explorations3BIOL upper-division Elective3
Colonnade - Explorations3Colonnade - Writing in the Disciplines3
BIOL upper-division Elective with lab4Colonnade - Explorations3
 16 17
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 4891BIOL upper-division Elective4
BIOL upper-division Elective4BIOL upper-division Elective4
Colonnade - Connections3BIOL upper-division Elective 4
World Language or Elective3Colonnade - Connections3
BIOL Process Elective (see Biology advisor)3 
 14 15
Total Hours 120