Online Biology Courses

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a variety of online courses each academic year. (Check the Schedule of Courses to explore course options this semester.) These courses are open to traditional Murray State students as well as those who are visiting from another institution or would like to take them for professional development! If you have any questions, e-mail the course contact in the descriptions below or e-mail msu.online@murraystate.edu. 

Undergraduate Courses

• BIO 102: Introductory Biology; 3 credit hours
  Biological principles are examined in an active learning mode. This online course relates the significance of biology to students and society, and establishes that this body of knowledge underpins agriculture, medicine and environmental management. This course in combination with BIO 100, an on-campus lab, will meet the University Studies science course with lab requirement. Students may not receive credit for BIO 101 (introductory biology with lab) and 102. (Course contact: tderting@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 103: Saving Planet Earth; 3 credit hours
  A study of the problems faced by humans on the Earth, including human population growth, over-exploitation of natural resources, habitat destruction and extinction. The philosophical, ethical and scientific basis of these problems and their solutions will be discussed. The course will also explore the potential for humans to live in a sustainable fashion on the planet, and emphasize the social responsibility and civic engagement required to do so. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 120: Scientific Etymology; one credit hour
  A systematic study of the Latin and Greek origins of selected words. (Course contact: xhe@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 220: Clinical Terminology; 2 credit hours
  Study of the theory of organic evolution including history, evidence, patterns, mechanisms and implications for humans. Prerequisites: BIO 101 or 102 (general biology) or 115 (cellular basis of life) and math ACT score of 21 or higher; or MAT 097 (intermediate algebra) with a minimum grade of C. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 305: Introduction to Evolutionary Principles; 3 credit hours
  Study of the theory of organic evolution including history, evidence, patterns, mechanisms and implications for humans. Prerequisites: BIO 101 or 102 (general biology) or 115 (cellular basis of life) and math ACT score of 21 or higher; or MAT 097 (intermediate algebra) with a minimum grade of C. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 525: Biogeography; 3 credit hours
  The roles of geological, climatological and biotic factors in explaining the past and current diversity and distribution of Earth’s plants and animals will be studied. Underlying processes, current theory and applications are stressed over actual diversity and distribution patterns themselves. Prerequisite: BIO 101 or 102 (general biology) or 115 (cellular basis of life), plus nine additional hours of biology and/or Earth and environmental sciences (geosciences) or consent of instructor. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 541: Winter Ecology: Life in the Colder Seasons; 2 credit hours
  Course focus is on survival strategies for the colder months of the year (mid-fall through mid-spring) in various climates, including physiological, morphological and behavioral adaptations. Adaptations for both animals and plants, as well as plant-animal interactions, are considered in both terrestrial and aquatic (under ice) systems. Human adaptations to cold climates are also considered. Prerequisite: BIO 330 (ecology) or permission of instructor. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 548: Principles of Managing Disease in Wildlife; 3 credit hours
  An exploration of the principle of disease transmission, disease maintenance and how biologists monitor for and manage for disease in free-living wild animals species. The effects on the individual animals, wildlife population and human will be discussed. Current issues in wildlife diseases will highlight how these principles are applied in the field. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: one course from AGR 300 (animal nutrition), BIO 216 (biological inquiry and analysis), HEA 311 (epidemiology) or NUR 301 (pathophysiology for nursing). (Course contact: jcaudell@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 552: Native Plants for Wildlife; 2 credit hours
  This course will study the relationships between animals and the native plant species or plant groups they utilize for food, protection and shelter. Food availability by season will be considered for wildlife habitat management purposes. Students will learn to recognize various plants by species, genus and/or family. Seed collection, storage and germination techniques will be covered. Prerequisite: BIO 222 (botany) or permission of instructor. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 581: Applied Natural Resources Economics, Policy and Administration; 3 credit hours
  Course concentrates on the application of microeconomic theory to natural resources policy, administration and decision making in areas such as endangered species management, wildlife damage management, non-game management and game management. This course will also discuss how the public uses economics to make personal decisions about natural resources. Prerequisite: ECO 231 (microeconomics). (Course contact: jcaudell@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 584: Wildlife Policy and Administration; 3 credit hours
  Emphasis is placed on the management of natural resources with particular focus on fish and wildlife. Topics will include an overview of natural resources agency structures and functions, the planning and management cycles and ethical public relations techniques for multiple-use management in the public domain. Prerequisite: BIO 330 (ecology) or consent of instructor. (Course contact: jcaudell@murraystate.edu)
  

Graduate Courses

• BIO 625: Biogeography; 3 credit hours
  The roles of geological, climatological and biotic factors in explaining the past and current diversity and distribution of Earth’s plants and animals will be studied. Underlying processes, current theory and applications are stressed over actual diversity and distribution patterns themselves. Prerequisite: three hours of biology and 12 of biology and/or Earth and environmental sciences (geosciences), or consent of instructor. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 641: Winter Ecology: Life in the Colder Seasons; 2 credit hours
  Course focus is on survival strategies for the colder months of the year (mid-fall through mid-spring) in various climates, including physiological, morphological and behavioral adaptations. Adaptations for both animals and plants, as well as plant animal interactions, are considered in both terrestrial and aquatic (under ice) systems. Human adaptations to cold climates are also considered. Prerequisite: BIO 330 (ecology) or permission of instructor. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 648: Principles of Managing Disease in Wildlife; 3 credit hours
  An exploration of the principle of disease transmission, disease maintenance and how biologists monitor for and manage for disease in free-living wild animals species. The effects on the individual animals, wildlife population and human will be discussed. Current issues in wildlife diseases will highlight how these principles are applied in the field. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: one course from AGR 300 (animal nutrition), BIO 216 (biological inquiry and analysis), HEA 311 (epidemiology) or NUR 301 (pathophysiology for nursing). (Course contact: jcaudell@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 652: Native Plants for Wildlife; 2 credit hours
  This course will study the relationships between animals and the native plant species or plant groups they utilize for food, protection and shelter. Food availability by season will be considered for wildlife habitat management purposes. Students will learn to recognize various plants by species, genus and/or family. Seed collection, storage and germination techniques will be covered. Prerequisite: BIO 222 (botany) or permission of instructor. (Course contact: dsaar@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 681: Applied Natural Resources Economics, Policy and Administration; 3 credit hours
  Course concentrates on the application of microeconomic theory to natural resources policy, administration and decision making in areas such as endangered species management, wildlife damage management, non-game management and game management. This course will also discuss how the public uses economics to make personal decisions about natural resources. Prerequisite: ECO 231 (microeconomics) or permission of instructor. (Course contact: jcaudell@murraystate.edu)
  

• BIO 684: Wildlife Policy and Administration; 3 credit hours
  Emphasis is placed on the management of natural resources with particular focus on fish and wildlife. Topics will include an overview of natural resources agency structures and functions, the planning and management cycles and ethical public relations techniques for multiple-use management in the public domain. Prerequisite: BIO 330 (ecology) or consent of instructor. (Course contact: jcaudell@murraystate.edu)