The Department of Biological Sciences offers experiential learning through a variety of courses and research experiences, including hands-on laboratory and/or field components. These opportunities give students a chance to learn about biology by directly observing organisms and exploring biological processes. Students also learn lab or field skills by using equipment and following procedures used by professionals. (See course catalog for complete description of each course number.)
Biology majors are introduced to experiential learning in their introductory course sequence:
- BIOL 130 – Foundations of Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Diversity
- BIOL 140 – Foundations of Biology: Cell and Molecular
Students should not attempt BIOL 130 or 140 unless the results of mathematics testing indicate placement in MATH 140 or a higher level course.
Upper-division courses continue a cycle of laboratory and/or hands-on fieldwork in the chosen concentration. The list below includes most of the regularly offered upper division courses with a lab and/or field component.
- BIOL 338 – Cell Biology Laboratory: Coreq/prereq: BIOL 337 with grade of C or better and a grade of C or better in CHEM 341 or (CHEM 310 and CHEM 319).
- BIOL 418 – Limnology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better, and CHEM 111-112 or 121-122.
- BIOL 437 – Molecular Biology Laboratory: Prereq: CHEM 341 or CHEM 310 (and 319), and BIOL 336 with grade of C or better.
- BIOL 443 – Ecological Methods: Prereq: Biology 130-140 with grades of C or better; Biology 331 with grade of C or better, BOT 431 with grade of C or better, or ZOOL 441 with grade of C or better.
- BIOL 475 – Field Investigations in Biology: Prereq: Biology 110-120 and instructor's approval or Biology 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- BOT 301 – Foundations of Botany: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- BOT 302 – Plant Morphology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- BOT 303 – Plant Taxonomy: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- BOT 421 – Plant Physiology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better; CHEM 111-112 or CHEM 121-122.
- BOT 432 – Plant Ecology Laboratory: Coreq: BOT 431.
- MBIO 310 – General Molecular Microbiology: Prereq: BIOL 140 with grade of C or better; CHEM 111-112 or 121-122.
- MBIO 311 – Public Health Microbiology: Prereq: MBIO 251 or 310 with grade of C or better in either course.
- MBIO 402 – Immunology Laboratory: Prereq/coreq: MBIO 401.
- MBIO 410 – Applications in Food Microbiology: Prereq: A grade of C or better in the following courses: MBIO 310 or MBIO 251, and CHEM 112 or CHEM 122.
- ZOOL 251 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- ZOOL 315 – Invertebrate Zoology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 319 – Mammalogy: Prereq: BIOL 110-120 and instructor’s approval, or BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 320 – Ichthyology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 321 – Ornithology: Prereq: BIOL 110-120 and instructor’s approval, or 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 322 – Herpetology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 325 – General Entomology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 352 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II: Prereq: ZOOL 251 with grade of C or better or instructor’s permission.
- ZOOL 442 – Animal Ecology Laboratory: Coreq: ZOOL 441.
- ZOOL 443 – Animal Behavior: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- ZOOL 461 – Histology: BIOL 130-140 with grades of C or better.
- Special topics (BIOL 462) or Directed Studies in Biology (BIOL 464-465) courses may be offered based on student need or faculty inspiration. These courses may include special lab or field training, travel studies (previous trips include the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands in South America) or new courses.
The department also offers field-intensive summer courses at the Reelfoot Lake Environmental Field Station in Samburg, Tenn. These courses are different from a typical on-campus class. They are offered during the summer, meet all day and revolve around active field work. Visit www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/reelfoot-lake-environmental-field-station/ for more information. Courses include:
- BOT 305 – Freshwater Algae: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 or instructor’s approval.
- BOT 306 – Aquatic and Wetland Plants: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 with a grade of C or higher or instructor’s approval.
- ZOOL 323 – Field Ornithology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 or instructor’s approval.
- ZOOL 326 – Aquatic Macroinvertebrates: Prereq: BIOL 110-120 and instructor’s approval, or 130-140.
- ZOOL 327 – Field Herpetology: Prereq: BIOL 130-140 or instructor’s approval.
Students can also earn academic credit for completing one-on-one research work with a faculty member. Students often travel to present research work at conferences across the region. Research experience is highly valued by professional and graduate schools. Students must have junior or senior standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA and research supervisor’s approval to enroll in BIOL 451-452 or 453-454 – Research Participation.
Smith, Henson, Sliger Undergraduate Research on Reelfoot Lake Grant
A grant of up to $4,000 is available for scholarly summer work in any discipline in the Reelfoot Lake watershed. The funds are primarily used for a stipend, but may also cover travel, expendable supplies and use of the Reelfoot Lake Environmental Field Station. At the end of the study, the student will write a summary report and present his or her findings. Student will sign up for 2 hours credit in BIOL 451, 452, 453 or 454 as part of the study. The application deadline is the end of February. Visit www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/reelfoot-lake-environmental-field-station/ for more information.
Contact Information
Dr. Lisa M. Krueger
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Tennessee at Martin
lkruege1@utm.edu