Biomedical Sciences

The methods of biotechnology developed by molecular biologists and biochemists are now used in all disciplines of the biomedical sciences. The disciplines of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry have themselves expanded significantly over the years, beginning with the study of gene expression in bacteria to the sequencing of the human genome. The application of the knowledge gained from the human genome project and other major advances, to further the study of biological systems, curing disease, and fighting the effects of aging will require molecular biologists and biochemists at all educational levels

The Biomedical Sciences curriculum provides an academic background and experience for a career in biomedical research or in the medical sciences. The curriculum requires the essential courses and the research experience necessary to train the student for further work at the graduate level or as a technician in research institutions or in industry. Central to the curriculum are five required research courses. The first provides an introduction to the research lab and techniques. The second and third semesters of research work together to provide an opportunity for a yearlong project. In the second semester the student will write a proposal and begin the work. In the third semester, the student will bring the project to a level of completion, write, and present that work. The fourth and fifth semesters work similarly. The second project may be a continuation of the first project and may be conducted under the guidance of the same mentor.

Suggested Curriculum Outline, Area in Biomedical Sciences

For First Time Freshman

Fall Year 1 (16 total hours)

BIO 100T Transitions (1 credit hour)
BIO 115 The Cellular Basis of Life (3 credit hours)
CHE 201 General College Chemistry (5 credit hours)
ENG 105 Critical Reading, Writing & Inquiry (4 credit hours)
COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking or PSY 180 General Psychology (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 (14 total hours)

BIO 216 Biological Inquiry & Analysis (4 credit hours)
CHE 202 General Chem & Quantitative Analysis (5 credit hours)
MAT 250 Calculus & Analytical Geometry I (5 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 (16 total hours)

BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
BIO 300 Microbiology (4 credit hours)
CHE 321 Cell Biology: Mechanisms (3 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry & Lab (5 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 (14 total hours)

BIO 290 Biomedical Research I (2 credit hours)
BIO 323 Cell Biology: Systems (3 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
CHE 325 Organic Chemistry Lab (3 credit hours)
CIV 201/202 World Civilization I or II (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 3 (15 total hours)

BIO 322 Animal Physiology (4 credit hours)
BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
BIO 388 Biomedical Research II (3 credit hours)
PHY 130/131 General Physics I & Lab (4 credit hours)

Spring Year 3 (16 total hours)

BIO 389 Biomedical Research III (3 credit hours)
PHY 132/133 General Physics II & Lab (4 credit hours)
HUM 211 The Western Humanities Tradition (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Global Awareness Elective (3 credit hours)
COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking or PSY 180 General Psychology (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 4 (16 total hours)

BIO 308 Ethics in Biology (3 credit hours)
BIO 438 Biomedical Research IV (4 credit hours)
CHE 530 Fundamentals of Biochemistry I (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Restricted Biology Electives (3 credit hours)

Restricted electives are chosen from list in academic bulletin.
BIO 533 Molecular Genetics (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 4 (14 total hours)

BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
BIO 439 Biomedical Research V (4 credit hours)
CHE 540 Fundamentals of Biochemistry II (3 credit hours)
ENG 204 Advanced Expository Writing (3 credit hours)
XXX XXX Restricted Biology Electives (3 credit hours)

Restricted electives are chosen from list in academic bulletin.

For Transfer Students with an Associate's of Science degree

Fall Year 1 Post A.S. (14 total hours)

BIO 290 Biomedical Research I (2 credit hours)
BIO 300 Microbiology (4 credit hours)
BIO 321 Cell Biology: Mechanisms (3 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (5 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 Post A.S. (15 total hours)

BIO 388 Biomedical Research II (3 credit hours)
BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
MAT 250 Calculus & Analytical Geometry (5 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 Post A.S. (14 total hours)

BIO 322 Animal Physiology (4 credit hours)
BIO 389 Biomedical Research III (3 credit hours)
CHE 325 Organic Chemistry II Lab (3 credit hours)
PHY 132/133 General Physics II & Lab (4 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 Post A.S. (17 total hours)

BIO 438 Biomedical Research IV (4 credit hours)
XXX XXX Restricted Biology Electives (7 credit hours)

Restricted electives are chosen from list in academic bulletin.
BIO 533 Molecular Genetics (3 credit hours)
CHE 530 Fundamentals of Biochemistry I (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 3 Post A.S. (13 total hours)

BIO 439 Biomedical Research V (4 credit hours)
BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
BIO XXX Restricted Biology Electives (5 credit hours)

Restricted electives are chosen from list in academic bulletin.
CHE 540 Fundamentals of Biochemistry II (3 credit hours)

Note, the transfer student pathway follows the pre-Biology Curriculum from WKCTC. It assumes that students have taken courses that will transfer as Murray State's BIO 115, BIO 216, BIO 221 or BIO 222, CHE 201, CHE 202, MAT 150 and PHY 130/131. See Murray State Transfer Equivalency Tool to help you figure out how courses transfer from your current institution.

Admission

A freshman must have a Math ACT score of 25 or higher to declare a major in Biomedical Sciences. However, any student may apply to the program and must have completed 32 credit hours with a GPA of 3.0, and must have taken BIO 115, BIO 216, CHE 201, CHE 202, and MAT 250 with grades of B or better. Any student wishing to seek this degree (whether declared as a freshman or not) must apply to the Biomedical Sciences committee for admission into the program.

For More Information Please Contact:

Dr. Sterling Wright

Associate Professor, Chair
Department of Biological Sciences

270.809.2786 swright@murraystate.edu

2112 Biology Building