Degree programs in Biology

Biology Department

Professor Richard Bowker, Department Head
e-mail: Richard.Bowker@wku.edu

Professors: R. Bowker, C. Davis
Associate Professors: K. Crawford, K. Doerner, S. Jacobshagen, D. McElroy, A. Meier, C. Rinehart, S. Sahi, M. Stokes.
Assistant Professors: L. Alice, H. Johnson, S. Huskey, R. King, J. Marcus, N. Rice, S. Grubbs, R. King, K. Philips, P. Lienesch, R. Wyatt.
Instructors: B. Bartow, W. Mason and K. McDaniel

Because of recent advances in technology related to the biological sciences, a student is presented with an ever-increasing array of educational and vocational opportunities. This technology, involving all of the diverse biological subdisciplines from biomolecules to ecosystems, provides the biology student one of the most exciting and challenging eras for this discipline in human history. The purpose of the Department of Biology is to present to the student an organized program that provides a liberal arts background in biology but also serves to direct the student toward vocational interest.

When planning a program of study in this department, each student should be aware of the University's academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter, "Academic Information." Specific attention should be given to the subsections entitled (a) Academic Programs, (b) General Education Requirements, and (c) Academic Requirements and Regulations. Students should be aware that some academic programs may require additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department head.

The major in biology (reference number 617) requires a minimum of 36 hours in biology plus the requirements of a minor area, the major-minor combination to be at least 54 semester hours, at least one-half of which must consist of 300- and 400-level courses. All students are required to complete BIOL 120-121 and BIOL 122-123, and at least one course from each of the following three groups: (A) BIOL 222-223, BIOL 224-225, BIOL 226-227, (B) BIOL 220-221, BIOL 327, (C) BIOL 315, BIOL 430. Students, with the aid of their advisor, select additional 300- and 400-level courses to focus their studies on specific areas within biology. Because an understanding of the principles of mathematics, physics and chemistry is essential to the study of biology, majors are required to complete supporting courses as follows: (1) MATH 118, or MATH 116 and MATH 117 or higher, (2) PHYS 231-232 or PHYS 250-251, (3) CHEM 120-121, and (4) two courses from the following list: BIOL 283, CHEM 222-223, CHEM 314 or CHEM 340-341, CHEM 330, CIS 343, CIS 226 or CS 226 or CS 230, GEOG 317, GEOG 328, GEOG 416, GEOG 417, MATH 126, MATH 227, MATH 305, MATH 307, PHYS 332-233 or PHYS 260-261. Students may count a maximum of 3 credit hours of BIOL 369, 389, or 399 toward this major.

The department takes pride in the success of undergraduate research activities. It is strongly recommended that students enroll in undergraduate research (BIOL 399) for at least one semester. The course may be repeated several times with a maximum of 6 semester hours being counted toward graduation. This course provides the opportunity for independent study in the research laboratory of a professor whose expertise is in the area of the student's interest. Our successful students have won local, state and national recognition for research papers presented and published.

The intradisciplinary major in biology (reference number 525) requires a minimum of 48 hours in biology and leads to the B.S. degree. No minor is required. Several areas of emphasis are available including ecology and evolutionary biology, molecular and cellular biology, and plant and animal diversity. All students are required to complete BIOL 120-121 and BIOL 122-123, and at least one course from each of the following three groups: (A) BIOL 222-223, BIOL 224-225, BIOL 226-227, (B) BIOL 220-221, BIOL 327, (C) BIOL 315, BIOL 430. Students, with the aid of their advisor, select additional 300- and 400-level courses to focus their studies on specific areas within biology. Because an understanding of the principles of mathematics, physics and chemistry is essential to the study of biology, majors are required to complete supporting courses as follows: (1) MATH 118, or MATH 116 and MATH 117 or higher, (2) PHYS 231-232 or PHYS 250-251, (3) CHEM 120-121, and (4) two courses from the following list: BIOL 283, CHEM 222-223, CHEM 314 or CHEM 340-341, CHEM 330, CIS 343, CIS 226 or CS 226 or CS 230, GEOG 317, GEOG 328, GEOG 416, GEOG 417, MATH 126, MATH 227, MATH 305, MATH 307, PHYS 332-233 or PHYS 260-261. Students may count a maximum of 6 credit hours of BIOL 369, 389, or 399 toward this major.

• Restricted Electives – must take three (3) total, one (1) from each category = 11-12.5 hrs

Minor in Biology
The minor in biology (reference number 326) requires a minimum of 24 semester hours in biology. The required courses are BIOL 120-121 and BIOL 122-123. Students, with the aid of their advisor, select additional biology courses to complete the minor; at least 12 hours must be at the 300-level or above

This program (reference number 764) meets the needs of students interested in the rapidly growing field of genetic engineering and molecular genetics. Recombinant genetics is expanding in many diverse directions including the production of new pharmaceutical drugs, industrial chemicals, food products, energy sources, pollution-control products and, more recently, methods employed in agriculture. In addition to receiving raining for industrial employment, graduates of this program will also have the broad liberal arts training necessary to enter graduate programs. The major requires a minimum of 36 semester hours in BIO 350, 398, 411, 446, 450 and 495. Required supportive courses are CHEM 120-121, 22-223, 340-341, 342,343; PHYS 231-232, 332-233; and MATH 118. Any course in the biology curriculum applicable to the biology major may be used as an elective for the recombinant genetics majors. Interested students should contact Dr. Claire Rheinhart, Department of Biology.

Several other biologically oriented, specialized programs are available such as biophysics, environmental studies, environmental science and numerous pre-professional programs. Specific details of these programs are listed under Pre-Professional and Interdisciplinary Programs. Additional information on the environmental science major can be found in the Department of Engineering Technology.

* Dependent on ACT or orientation exam score.
** General education and minor/2nd major courses.

Graduate Faculty
Professors: R. Bowker, C. Davis.
Associate Professors: K. Crawford, K. Doerner, S. Jacobshagen, D. McElroy, A. Meier, C. Rinehart, S. Sahi, M. Stokes.
Assistant Professors: L. Alice, H. Johnson, S. Huskey, R. King, J. Marcus, N. Rice, S. Grubbs, R. King, K. Philips, P. Lienesch, R.Wyatt.
Instructors: B. Bartow, W. Mason and K. McDaniel

I. Introduction

A. This information is provided for graduate students, major advisors and graduate advisory committee members such that they may be fully aware of their responsibilities in respect to the graduate program of the Department of Biology. It must be understood that graduate students are responsible for meeting all requirements of the Department and University in respect to policies and procedures relating to degree requirements. Major Advisors and Graduate Advisory Committee members cannot be expected to act in this regard on the behalf of graduate students.

II. Admission requirements

Please see the Graduate Studies Admission requirements for University Graduate Admissions information. The Biology Departmental Guidelines are below:

GAP Score - Admission decisions are based upon both the undergraduate grade point average and the GRE General Test score. The GAP score is the product of the GRE score x the overall undergraduate grade point average. For example, a GRE score of 1200 and a grade average of 2.75/4.0 would produce a GAP score of 3300. Since GAP is a product of both GRE and grade point average, both the GRE and transcript record are essential for making an admission decision. GAP score requirements for general admission to Graduate Studies (individual degree programs may be higher) are as follows:

GAP Requirement Date Test Taken
3500 on or before 9/30/2002
2200* on or after 10/1/2002

*A Writing Assessment score of 3.5 or better is required with the new GRE test.

Additionally, admission requires undergraduate preparation consistent with that required of undergraduate biology majors at Western Kentucky University. This requirement, in addition to coursework in biology, Includes: (1) two laboratory courses in college chemistry, (2) two laboratory courses in college physics and (3) at least one laboratory course in organic chemistry. If an applicant is otherwise qualified but lacks undergraduate coursework in college chemistry, college physics or organic chemistry, she/he may be required to take appropriate course(s) as deficiencies. Deficiencies are required as a part of the student’s graduate program over and above the normal coursework requirements for the degree. To continue in the graduate program, a student must earn a grade of “C,” or higher, in courses classified as deficiencies. It is advisable to remove all deficiencies, if any, during the first semester of residence as a graduate student. Students with an undergraduate major in a discipline other than biology may be considered for admission if they have at least eighteen (18) semester hours of acceptable undergraduate coursework in biology. The policy regarding college chemistry, college physics and organic chemistry, as previously described, applies as well.

Admission to the graduate program in biology is for a specified Option, i.e., Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis) and semester of initiation of graduate work. Admission is not valid for a degree Option other than that previously specified nor for initiation of graduate work in a semester subsequent to that previously specified. A change in Option may result in the loss of a student’s graduate assistantship, where such appointment is held.

III. Program information

The Major Advisor. Each graduate student will be assigned a Major Advisor based upon the student’s indicated area of interest. A student may make a change in Major Advisor if the nature or direction of student interest changes.

The Graduate Advisory Committee (GAC). Each graduate student, in consultation with the Major Advisor, will identify at least two other members of the graduate faculty to serve with the Major Advisor as the student’s GAC. A student’s GAC is officially designated by the signatories of the Program of Study [Form C]. Selection of the GAC should occur within the first six weeks of a student’s first semester as a graduate student.

Program of Study [Form C]. With the Major Advisor serving as Chair, the GAC will schedule coursework, including deficiencies if any, necessary for a student to complete degree requirements. The Form C must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to the end of the student’s first semester as a graduate student or, at the latest, prior to enrollment in hours beyond twelve (12), including transfer credits, if any. A copy of the approved Form C must be placed in the student’s official departmental file. Failure to file the Form C at an appropriate time may result in the student having to add coursework to her/his Program of Study.

a. Changes in coursework outlined on Form C may be made if necessary. This requires submission of a Course Change Form originating with the student’s GAC and transmitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. A copy of each Course Change Form must be placed in the student’s official departmental file.

b. In the event changes to Form C involve changing from Plan A (with thesis) to Plan B (without thesis), additional regulations pertain. If a student wishes to change from Plan A to Plan B, she/he, having obtained approval from the GAC, must petition the Departmental Graduate Committee prior to the beginning of the student’s third semester or before completion of eighteen (18) hours of coursework specified on the original Form C.

Research Tool. A research tool is required of all students pursuing the MS degree. Each student is to be considered on an individual basis in determining how this requirement is to be met. Credit for the research tool is a part of the student’s Program of Study [Form C] but must be taken in addition to the 30 semester hours minimum required for the degree. It should be noted that a grade of “B”, or higher, must be earned in the research tool course(s). Furthermore, a student cannot be admitted to candidacy [Form D] until the research tool requirement has been met. It is advisable to complete the research tool requirement during the first or, at latest, second semester of graduate study. Failure to complete the research tool at the appropriate time can result in the student having to add coursework to her/his Program of Study.

Admission to Candidacy [Form D]. To be admitted to candidacy a student must have (1) completed at least 12 semester hours, but not more than 21 hours in graduate level courses with a minimum 3.0 grade point average; (2) have an approved Program of Study [Form C] on file; (3) removed all deficiencies, if any; and (4) met the research tool requirement. Form D, when completed, is to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies with a copy placed in the student’s official departmental file. Failure to secure admission to candidacy at the appropriate time will result in the student having to add coursework to her/his Program of Study.

Departmental Graduate Seminar. All graduate students are required to include at least one hour (maximum: two hours) of BIOL 598 on their Program of Study [Form C]. Resident graduate students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in Biol 598 for credit, are expected to attend all Departmental Seminars.

Each student’s program is developed individually and must satisfy the following requirements:

A. All students must take the following courses (unless equivalent courses were taken at the undergraduate level).

B. Students must take two of the following courses according to the advice of their graduate committee:

C. [12 hr. “balance” for a minimum 30 hr program (Plan A) OR 15 hr. “balance for a minimum 30 hr. program (Plan B); at least 3 hrs. @ 5xx-level (Plan A) or 6 hrs. @ 5xx-level (Plan B).

Additional Program Course Requirements and Limitations. Inclusion of BIOL 475G and/or BIOL 675 on the Program of Study is limited to a combined total of six (6) hours. The Program of Study must include at least eighteen (18) hours at the 500-level, or above.

Degree Examinations.

A. The General Exam [Form E]. Students must meet the following requirements before they are permitted to attempt the comprehensive examination:

Graduate students are required to pass an oral and/or written general examination covering the concepts and principles of biology as well as material from coursework included on the Program of Study. This examination must be taken not later than six (6) weeks prior to the date of graduation. The examination may be taken, at the earliest, after the student has completed eighteen (18) semester hours of graduate coursework, excluding BIOL 516 or BIOL 599, and is enrolled in the twenty-first (21^st) hour. The General Exam is scheduled and administered by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. At least one week prior to holding the General Exam, all members of the Department’s graduate faculty are to be notified of the date and time scheduled for the examination. A copy of this notice should also be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Any member of the Department’s graduate faculty may question the student and make recommendations to the Graduate Advisory Committee relative to her/his appraisal of the student’s performance. The final decision for passing or failing a student is made by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. The Graduate Advisory Committee reports its decision on Form E which is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies with a copy retained in the student’s official departmental file. In the case of Plan A (with thesis) students, the Form E should be retained by the Major Advisor until the student has defended her/his thesis, after which the Form E is submitted to the Office of Graduated Studies. The submission of a signed Form E for Plan A student certifies that the student has passed the General Examination and successfully defended the thesis.

Any student failing to perform satisfactorily on the general oral exam, may, at the discretion of her/his graduate advisory advisory committee, (1) be failed without option to repeat the exam, (2) be failed with option to repeat the exam within a time frame determined by the student's advisory committee, or (3) have the exam continued at a later date. The last alternative is usually selected where it is felt that the student's poor performance was due to the conditions of the exam (being oral) rather than actual lack of adequate information and understanding of the discipline. The option to "continue" or to repeat the exam in written form is left to the discretion of the graduate advisory committee.

Thesis Defense. For students following Plan A (with thesis), the Thesis Defense, administered by the student's Graduate Advisory Committee, must be scheduled no later than four (4) weeks prior to the date of graduation. It is advisable to schedule the General Exam and the Thesis Defense for separate occasions, the former occurring first. As is the case with the General Exam, all members of the Department's graduate faculty are to be informed of the date and time scheduled for the Thesis Defense.

Maintaining Matriculation. If the thesis project is not completed during the initial period of registration for this credit, the student must maintain matriculation until the thesis or project has been submitted and approved. To maintain matriculation, the student must register for 600 (thesis) during any semester or summer term in which she/he will be actively pursuing the thesis or project or will be submitting it for approval.

Application for Degree. The degree candidate must complete a degree application (available in the Office of Graduate Studies and in the Registrar's Office according to the dates established by the Registrar for each semester.

Course Load Guidelines. Full-time status for graduate students is, in general, defined as a minimum of nine (9) and a maximum of fifteen (15) semester hours for Fall and Spring semesters, a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of (9) for Summer School. These course load guidelines are modified for students on graduate assistantship as specified in Table 1, below. Certification of full-time status is of importance if a student is receiving financial aid requiring such certification (e.g., veteran's benefits) and for eligibility for University privileges reserved for full-time students.

Table 1. Course Load Guidelines for Graduate Students (Part-time vs. Full-time* Status)

REGULAR SEMESTER					SUMMER SCHOOL
PART-TIME			FULL-TIME		PART-TIME		FULL-TIME
	MIN	MAX	MIN	MAX	MIN	MAX	MIN	MAX
I	--	--	9	12	1	3	3	6
II	1	8	9	15	1	5	6	9
*University Certified; I =On Assistantship; II = Not on Assistantship

Veterans with Benefits. For graduate students who expect to receive benefits from the Veteran's Administration, it is important that the words, "Veteran's Benefits," be written across the top of the student's Form C. Veterans must qualify as full-time students in order to receive full compensation from the Veteran's Administration. The VA defines a full-time student as one who enrolls in a minimum of fourteen (14) undergraduate or a minimum of nine (9) graduate hours, all of which must count toward the reduction in hours required for the degree. In practice, the VA equates all graduate hours with undergraduate hours for purposes of payment with full compensation based upon a minimum of fourteen (14) undergraduate hours. Thus, based upon nine 99) graduate hours as the minimum for full-time status, each graduate hour is equivalent to 1.556 undergraduate hours (9 x 1.556 = 14). This conversion becomes highly significant when graduate student enrolls concurrently in both graduate level courses (400G/500/600-level) and undergraduate-level courses. For example, assume that a graduate student attempting to qualify for full veteran's benefits enrolls in two 3-hour graduate courses (6 hours) and some undergraduate course(s) as part of the approved program. The equivalency for the 6 hours of graduate courses would be 1.556 x 6 = 9.34 hours. Thus, the student would have to be enrolled in 4.66 undergraduate hours, i.e., 5 undergraduate hours. For veterans receiving VA benefits who are also on graduate assistantship, minima and maxima are indicated in Table 1, above.

IV. Graduate Assistanship

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Kentucky Residents or Non-Residents: A minimum "GAP Score" of 4200

"Full" graduate assistantships are normally awarded for the academic year and pay a taxable stipend. Kentucky residents who are on a graduate assistantship are required to pay fees and tuition normally charged to residents of the State; Non-residents who are on a graduate assistantship are required to pay fees and tuition normally charged to residents of the State with the out-of-state portion of the tuition being waived. In return, a graduate assistant provides service to the Department averaging twenty (20) hours per week in the form of serving as a teaching assistant in general biology laboratories, grading papers and laboratory reports, serving as a research assistant or some other form of service. On occasion, "partial" assistantships may be awarded with a proportional reduction in service requirements to the Department. Stipends are paid biweekly or monthly, the first check normally being issued four weeks after the beginning of the semester. Though not regularly available, summer assistantship appointments are sometimes awarded.

Students on graduate assistantship are expected to make acceptable progress toward completion of degree requirements as specified on Form C. Failure to do so will result in immediate withdrawal of assistantship support. It should be noted that graduate assistantships are normally awarded only to those students pursuing Plan A (with thesis).

V. The Department Graduate Committee

The Departmental Graduate Committee consists of four-five members of the Department's graduate faculty appointed by the Department Head. The Committee functions in coordinating all graduate work within the Department in accordance with policies of the Department's graduate faculty, the Ogden College of Science, Technology & Health and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1) Review of proposed graduate courses and course changed (400G and above) prior to their presentation to the departmental graduate faculty;
2) Supervision of admission to the Department's graduate programs;
3) Review of graduate assistantship applications and recommendations relative to their disposition;
4) Review of petitions for exceptions to established departmental policy;
5) Preparation of proposals of new programs as needed;
6) Study of graduate curriculum for possible avenues of improvement;
7) Study of graduate student performance as a means to evaluate standards for admission and for awarding graduate assistantships.

VI. Additional Information on the MS Degree Requirements

As previously indicated, the MS Program has two Options: Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis)

PLAN A - Six (6) hours of credit in BIOL 599 must be applied toward fulfillment of the requirements for this Option and must appear on Form C. BIOL 600 is to be used in cases where a student has completed the approved program as specified on Form C but has not completed the thesis research or thesis preparation, usually the latter. In order to maintain matriculation, such students must be registered for BIOL 600 during any semester or summer term when the thesis research or preparation is being actively pursued or is in the process of being submitted for approval. The grade submitted for BIOL 599 during enrollment periods prior to final approval of the thesis is to be “X” (Incomplete). Upon final approval of the thesis, any grades of “X” previously recorded can be change to an appropriate letter grade.

An acceptable thesis based upon original research is, of course, the “cornerstone” of Plan A. The Major Advisor and other members of the Graduate Advisory Committee must each be provided a copy of the final draft of the thesis at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date scheduled for the Thesis Defense. A reading copy of the final draft of the thesis must be made available to the entire graduate faculty at least seven (7) working days prior to the date scheduled for the Thesis Defense. This reading copy is normally located in a conspicuous place in the Department’s main office.

Subsequent to the Thesis Defense, the thesis is to be completed with all modifications, if any, and transmitted in final, approved form to the Office of Graduate Studies at least three (3) weeks prior to the date of graduation.

The thesis must be prepared according to a standard format established by the Office of Graduate Studies. Pertinent instructions may be obtained from that Office. The following are offered as a possible sequence by means of which a thesis student, working closely with her/his Major Advisor, may maintain normal progress toward timely completion the thesis:

PLAN B - Three (3) hours of credit in BIOL 516 must be applied toward fulfillment of the requirements for this Option and must appear on Form C. The BIOL 516 research project is usually conducted under the direction of the Major Advisor, but another member of the Department's graduate faculty may direct the research.

Some final Precautions

Every graduate student should become familiar with pertinent information supplied by the Office of Graduate Studies and that appearing in the most recent edition of the University's Catalog, Graduate Studies Issues.

Room 444 Central Wing
Thompson Complex
(270) 745-3457
E-Mail: david.hartman@wku.edu

Biochemistry is the study of the most intricate of all chemical systems, living matter, and attempts to determine the chemical nature and chemical reactions in protoplasm - the basic material of living matter. Training in biochemistry provides many opportunities in teaching, research, and public service and provides excellent preparation for many other areas of basic and applied sciences.

Biochemistry courses are administered jointly by the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. The student should enroll either in the Department of Biology or the Department of Chemistry, depending upon the major emphasis. Enrollment requires the completion of proper prerequisites in biology and chemistry.

Pre-Chiropractic
Thompson Complex North Wing
Office 225, Phone: (270) 745-6012 (or 3696)
Advisor: Mr. Wayne Mason

WKU has a two-year curriculum designed to prepare potential candidates for entry into a professional chiropractic college. Prior to application at a chiropractic college, candidates must have earned a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit in required courses specified by that school and electives that would satisfy requirements for either a bachelor of arts or science degree. The candidate is responsible for ensuring that he or she has met those specific and elective requirements of the school(s) to which they are applying. WKU has an articulation agreement with Palmer College, Davenport, Iowa for preferred admission to Palmer pending:

The following requirements will meet current admission requirements, but will not guarantee admission into a professional chiropractic college:

Students planning a career in dentistry should follow the pre-dentistry curriculum at Western which is basically the same as that outlined for pre-medicine students. All applicants to dental school must take the Dental Admission Test.

It is recommended that students planning a dental career complete the entire four-year curriculum and receive the baccalaureate degree before entering a dental college. A few dental schools will accept students after three years of undergraduate work. One year of satisfactory work in dental school can then be transferred to WKU in order to receive the bachelor of science degree.

The pre-medicine curriculum has been developed with two prime objectives in mind. The first objective is to provide the undergraduate student with an academic background which will enable him/her to succeed in the medical school of his/her choice. The second objective is to provide the proper scholastic credits for obtaining the bachelor of science degree after four years of study.

During the first two years of undergraduate work, the pre-medicine student should complete the majority of the basic science courses which constitute the minimal prerequisites for entrance into medical school. All science courses require laboratories and are as follows: BIOL 120, 224; CHEM 120, 222, 340, 342; MATH 118, 126; PHYS 231 and 332, or 201 and 202, or 250, 260 and 270. In addition to the basic science courses subjects should be taken from the University general education requirements.

During the junior and senior years students, with the help of the pre-medicine advisor, should complete courses to constitute a major and a minor in addition to completing the general education requirements for a degree. All applicants to medical school must take the Medical College Admission Test.

It is recommended that students planning a medical career complete the entire four-year curriculum and receive the bachelor of science degree before entering a medical college. For additional information on the Pre-medical Program.

Students may fulfill pre-optometry requirements at Western Kentucky University and become eligible to submit applications for admission to any of the sixteen optometry schools within the United States. These schools vary in their pre-optometry requirements. Students should decide on the college of optometry to which they plan to submit an application for admission and arrange their schedules in accordance with the requirements of that particular school. This information is available from the pre-optometry curriculum advisor. The professional optometric program requires four years of study in a school of optometry. This is in addition to the three or more years of pre-optometry requirements. Applicants to all of the optometry schools are required to take the Optometry Admission Test. Application forms for this test are available in the pre-optometry advisor's office.

The Kentucky Council on Higher Education, through an agreement with the Southern Regional Education Board, Atlanta, Georgia, sponsors a contractual optometric training program at the School of Optometry, Indiana University; the School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee. The program is open only to students who are legal residents of Kentucky and have completed the pre-optometry curriculum. The financial aid to students consists of the approximate difference in the cost of in-state and out-of-station tuition at the optometry schools for not more than four academic years. Once approved the student must exhibit satisfactory progress toward completion of the prescribed four-year curriculum and apply to the Council each year for continuation in the SREB program. However, an approved student making normal academic progress is recertified annually upon application. This program provides for not more than three new students each year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, three at Indiana University and eight at Southern College of Optometry.

Applicants should apply directly to the dean or director of admissions at the college or school of optometry for admission to the fall class not later than January 1 of the same year. Students should also file an application with the Council on Higher Education for certification to participate in the Southern Regional program. Both acceptance for admission by the college of optometry and certification by the Council are required for Kentucky student aid in the program. The optometry schools reserve the right to select students acceptable to the program. Since the program is designed to provide funds (or financial support) for a limited number of students each year at the three schools of optometry and is funded accordingly by the General Assembly, Kentucky students planning careers in optometry should not limit their plans for training to these institutions. Kentucky students in optometry are presently enrolled and will continue to enroll at several excellent schools and colleges other than Indiana University, the University of Alabama and Southern College of Optometry. This program of student assistance, however, is limited to those three institutions.

The courses listed below are required as prerequisites for all optometry schools. Each science course must be accompanied by its appropriate laboratory: BIOL 120, 224; CHEM 120, 222, 340; PHYS 231, 332 or 201, 202; MATH 118, 126; ENG 100, 300; PSY 100 and a course in statistics. There are additional course requirements which vary with each optometry school. All students in the curriculum are strongly encouraged to work toward a bachelor of science degree, even though a degree is not required for admission to most optometry schools.

Students planning a career in podiatry should follow the pre-podiatric curriculum at Western Kentucky University which is basically the same as that outlined for pre-medicine students. All applicants to podiatry school must take the Medical College Admission Test.

Three years of undergraduate academic study are required; however, it is recommended that students planning a podiatric career complete the entire four-year curriculum and receive the bachelor of science degree before entering podiatric medical college.

Currently, the pre-physical therapy program consists of a minimum 90 hours towards completion of a bachelors degree at WKU and is designed to prepare students for application to professional physical therapy programs at other institutions. Completion of the requirements for this program will generally satisfy admission requirements for the physical therapy curriculum at most institutions with only minor exceptions. However, the candidate is responsible for ensuring that he or she has met the specific and elective requirements of the school(s) to which they will apply, as many schools are currently changing from B.S. to M.S. programs. Based on the large current and projected future number of applicants to physical therapy schools, both overall and science GPA's of at least 3.2 or higher are essential for qualifying for a formal interview. Admission to a physical therapy school is based on several criteria, including volunteer hours (at least 50 volunteer hours in at least two or more physical therapy settings), the interview, prior student record (including GPA), and in some instances, high school ACT scores.

The biology track requires sufficient additional courses in biology to complete a minor. included are:

Total hours for environmental sciences with biology track is 27-28.

Environmental Studies Minor

The environmental studies minor (reference number 363) is designed to provide a broad-based intellectual foundation for students interested in pursuing careers in environmental management and related areas. The minor is intended for natural sciences majors, as well as for students majoring in business, psychology, journalism, and other social science and humanities disciplines.

Requirements: The environmental studies minor consists of 25 semester hours including a 13 hour core and 12 hours of electives.

Biochemistry is a study of the most intricate of all chemical systems, living matter. It attempts to determine the chemical nature and chemical reactions of protoplasm, the basic material of living matter.

Training in biochemistry offers many opportunities in teaching, research and public service. It also provides excellent preparation for many other areas of basic and applied sciences. Biochemistry courses are administered jointly through the Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry. Students enroll for these courses in their the Department of Biology or the Department of Chemistry depending upon their major emphasis. Enrollment is possible only when proper prerequisites in biology and chemistry are completed.

Biochemistry 446 is strongly recommended for pre-medicine and pre-dentistry students and for biology majors.

The major in biochemistry (reference number 519) requires a minimum of 60 semester hours and leads to a bachelor of science degree. This sequence of required chemistry and biology courses along with elective courses from chemistry, biology and agriculture offer the student a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary training.

Required courses are CHEM 120, 121, 222, 223, 330, 314, or (340, 341, 342, 343); BIOL 120, 121, 411; BIOL/CHEM 446, 447, 467.

In addition to the required courses, students are expected to complete elective courses to total a minimum of 60 semester hours.

The minor in biochemistry (reference number 324) requires a minimum of 18 semester hours and a major in either chemistry or biology. Required courses are BIOL 411; BIOL/CHEM 446, 447, 467.

Electives: BIOL 120, 121, 220, 221, 309, 310, 327, 330, 331; 400; CHEM 120, 314 (or 340, 341, 342, 343), 420 (or 462), 432, 435; AGRI 443, 448.

Any course used in the student's major cannot be counted toward the biochemistry minor.

With the aging of our population, it is estimated that within the decade health care will be the major service industry in our country. An important part of health care is medical technology, a profession that includes well trained individuals who are the fact-finders of the medical world. Medical technologists typically analyze body fluids, examine tissues, and identify specific microorganisms to find evidence for and the cause of specific diseases. Some of the exciting new demands of the profession include tissue typing for organ transplantation, chromosomal studies as a basis for genetic counseling, identification of environmental pollutants, and screening tests for accidental poisoning and drug abuse.

Although two thirds of medical technologists work in hospital laboratories, new sources of employment includes laboratories in physician's offices, research facilities in universities and industries, public health centers and in veterinary clinics.

The medical technology program (reference number 582) combines a minimum of three years (92 semester hours) of college work at Western Kentucky University with a minimum of 12 calendar months (36 semester hours) of satisfactory clinical training in a school of medical technology. This school must be approved by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and by the medical technology coordinator at Western Kentucky University.

A student must meet all of the general education requirements for the bachelor's degree at Western Kentucky University before admission to the school of medical technology. On the satisfactory completion of the course requirements in medical technology, the bachelor of science degree will be awarded by Western Kentucky University. Graduates of the medical technology program are eligible to take national credentialing examinations for medical technologists which results in membership in the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (A.S.C.P.).

The program is affiliated with the following schools of medical technology: Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY; Owensboro-Mercy Health System, Owensboro, KY; Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Pikeville College, Pikeville Kentuckyand St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Covington, KY.

Course requirements at Western Kentucky University include BIOL 120, 121, 220, 221, 224, 225, 309, 310, 328; CHEM 120, 121, 222, 223, 314, 330. Other requirements include CS 145 or 230 and MATH 118. More detailed information including general education requirements can be obtained from the coordinator.

The undergraduate degree program must be filed three semesters before leaving the university; usually the second semester of the sophomore year. Students must consult the coordinator regarding applying for admission to the medical technology schools. Application is made 9 to 12 months in advance of the beginning date for the medical technology school. Admission to these schools is on a competitive basis, and maintenance of a good academic standing is required. Students are required to have liability insurance for their clinical years.

**A total of 128 semester hours are required for graduation. It is highly suggested you pick the remaining electives from the suggested elective courses list.