Occupational therapists use everyday activities to treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. As a result, OTs are a crucial part of many treatment regimens, helping patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed to live and work. Few health science careers draw from as diverse an array of interests and backgrounds as occupational therapy. Pre-OT students at MTSU come from studies and careers in childhood development, psychology, nutrition, health education, and more.
There is no Pre Occupational Therapy major at MTSU. We feel very strongly that students are better served completing a major of their choice while preparing for a graduate program for OT. As a result we have Pre OT students majoring in departments all across campus including Exercise Science, Biology, and Psychology. All students will work with advisors in the Pre Professional Health Science Advising Center to ensure that they are taking the recommended courses and getting appropriate extracurricular activities needed to be successful in a graduate program for OT.
Students in the Pre-Occupational Therapy program at MTSU have the opportunity to be one of the nearly 300 students who receive training at Project Help, an Early Intervention Resource Agency (EIRA) affiliated with both MTSU and Rutherford County Schools. Project Help offers services to children with delays or disabilities and provides a stimulating progressive preschool for children who are developing typically or above.
Pre-Scripts is a pre-professional organization for students pursuing careers in the health sciences. The organization brings in local pharmacists, physicians, physical therapists, and other health care professionals, as well as representatives of schools and the armed services, to provide students firsthand insights into the different health science careers and valuable information about applying for health professional schools and programs. Pre-Scripts in also involved in community service projects and organizes trips to professional schools. (The organization meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.)
Like so many fields in health care, occupational therapy is a career whose growth is basically guaranteed by an aging population and prevailing medical standards and approaches.
MTSU offers a variety of Pre-Professional Health Science tracks to help put students on a path to a rewarding career.
Students in the Pre-Occupational Therapy program spend a minimum of three years (90 hours) at MTSU. Though a student can complete the coursework and be accepted to an Occupational Therapy school, some require a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree be obtained first.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.
Chemistry
Andrienne Friedli, program coordinator
Andrienne.Friedli@mtsu.edu
Eric Miller, advisor
615-494-8894
EricB.Miller@mtsu.edu
The Allied Health Science concentration is designed for students who expect to enter a professional school for cytotechnology, chiropractic medicine, pharmacy, or medical laboratory science. It may also be used for students interested in dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. However, students interested in these areas should speak to their advisors about other major options better suited to their needs.
For some programs, this concentration leads to an MTSU degree through completion of at least 90 credit hours at MTSU, acceptance into a professional school, and either successful completion of one year or completion of the professional program (3+1). A four-year option is available and encouraged for students considering certain programs. For students completing a 3+1 program, a minimum of 21 semester hours of junior and senior (3000- 4000 level) courses must be completed at MTSU. Students choosing a four-year option must complete at least 36 credit hours of junior and senior (3000-4000 level) courses with an average grade of C (2.00 GPA) or better. With approval of the dean of the college, a student may complete 12 of the last 30 hours at another college or university or by CLEP.
Admission to the MTSU pre-professional program does not assure admission to a professional program. Selection for admission is competitive and is made by the admissions committee of the respective program according to its selection standards.
NOTE: A grade of C or better is required on all transfer credits accepted as part of a major or minor in the Department of Chemistry. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.00 on courses counting toward a major or minor in any of the department's programs.
Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:
Science, Allied Health Science, B.S., Academic Map
| True Blue Core (TBC) | 41 hours |
| Major Requirements | 44 hours* |
| Supporting Courses | 20-21 hours* |
| Electives | 14-25 hours |
| TOTAL | 120 hours |
*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the True Blue Core curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill True Blue Core requirements, the number of elective hours will increase.
True Blue Core (TBC) requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in the Foundational Skills areas of Written Communication (WC), Information Literacy (Info Lit), Non-Written Communication (NWC), and Quantitative Literacy (Quant Lit). Knowledge Domains include Human Society and Social Relationships (HSSR), Scientific Literacy (Sci Lit), Creativity and Cultural Expression (CCE), and History and Civic Learning (HCL), which include Discovery and Explorations categories. Students must choose at least one course from each Discovery category.
The following courses required by the major meet True Blue Core requirements:
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: High school chemistry and MATH 1710 with grade of C (2.0) or better or MATH ACT score of 19 or higher or CHEM 1010 with grade of C (2.0) or better. Corequisite: CHEM 1111. Fundamental concepts of atomic structure, molecular structure and bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometric relationships, periodic properties of the elements, thermochemistry, and properties of gases. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: CHEM 1110.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: CHEM 1110. TBR Common Course: CHEM 1111
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111. Corequisite: CHEM 1121. Chemical equilibrium, solid and liquid states of matter, chemistry of acids and bases, principles of chemical kinetics, precipitation reactions, elementary thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: CHEM 1120
0 credit hours
Corequisite: CHEM 1120.TBR Common Course: CHEM 1121
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121 or equivalent with grade of C- or better. Corequisite: CHEM 3011. Types of carbon compounds, their nomenclature, reactions, and physical properties. Three hours lecture per week.
1 credit hour
Corequisite: CHEM 3010. Laboratory course introducing techniques in organic chemistry, including spectroscopy. One three hour laboratory.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011 with grade of C- or better. Corequisite: CHEM 3021. A continuation of CHEM 3010. Three hours lecture per week.
1 credit hour
Corequisite: CHEM 3020. Laboratory course focusing more on reactions and synthesis in organic chemistry. One three-hour laboratory.
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Corequisite: CHEM 3531. Structure, properties, and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and their reactions in living organisms. Three-hour lecture and one three-hour lab. Does not count toward Biochemistry major.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: CHEM 3530. Lab to accompany CHEM 3530. One three-hour laboratory per week.
OR
3 credit hours
Prerequisite/corequisite: CHEM 3020/CHEM 3021; not open to those who have had CHEM 3530/CHEM 3531. Chemical properties of biological molecules such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and carbohydrates. Chemical basis of enzyme catalysis and reactions of carbohydrate metabolism. Three hours lecture per week.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 4500. Structure and metabolism of lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, and nucleic acids at the molecular level. Emphasis on chemistry of metabolic reactions. Three hours lecture per week.
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710 with C- or better or MATH ACT of 19 or higher. Corequisite: BIOL 1111. Primarily for Biology majors and minors and other science-oriented students. Biological principles and processes, including introduction to the nature of science, cells (structure, function, metabolism, division), genetics, and evolution. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. While BIOL 1110 can be used to fulfill half the 8-hour True Blue Core requirement for Scientific Literacy, it is the first semester of a two-semester sequence primarily designed for science majors. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1110
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 1110. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1111
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111. Corequisite: BIOL 1121. Primarily for Biology majors and minors and other science-oriented students. Survey of plants and animals emphasizing evolution, structure, function, reproduction, growth, and ecology. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1120
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 1120. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1121
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121 or BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021. Concepts and techniques pertaining to the morphology, physiology, reproduction, isolation, cultivation and identification of microorganisms with particular emphasis on bacteria. Topics include the impact of microorganisms in our daily lives, both adverse and beneficial. Background in General Chemistry is strongly recommended. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2230.
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121. Corequisite: BIOL 3251. An introductory course in genetics. Surveys and explores the sub-disciplines of genetics, including classical, molecular, and evolutionary genetics. Emphasis on the experiments, techniques, and theories forming the foundation of modern genetic research and its applications. Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 3250.
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4301. Humoral and cellular mechanisms of immunity. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 4300.
0 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710, MATH 1730, MATH 1810, or MATH 1910 with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Required corequisite: PHYS 2011. Web-based discussion class to be taken in conjunction with cooperative-learning based problems lab PHYS 2011. Classical mechanics traditionally covered in a first-semester college physics course. Kinematics, forces, momentum, angular motion, calorimetry, and sound waves. Class time used for discussion of the Web-lecture material and for the administration of exams. TBR Common Course: PHYS 2010
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710, MATH 1730, MATH 1810, or MATH 1910 with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Required corequisite: PHYS 2010. Group-oriented problems course taken in conjunction with the Web-based discussion class PHYS 2010. Students work in groups with the topics presented in the PHYS 2010 discussion class. Covers kinematics, forces, momentum, angular motion, calorimetry, and sound waves. Skills associated with the development of experimental investigations including graphical analysis and estimation of uncertainties emphasized. Two two-and-one-half-hour laboratory sessions. TBR Common Course: PHYS 2011
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math Enhanced ACT 19 or greater or equivalent. Descriptive statistics, probability, and statistical inference. The inference unit covers means, proportions, and variances for one and two samples, and topics from one-way ANOVA, regression and correlation analysis, chi-square analysis, and nonparametrics. TBR Common Course: MATH 1530
TBC: Quantitative Literacy
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710 or successful completion of high school precalculus course. An integrated and rigorous study of the algebra and trigonometry needed to successfully attempt calculus. Emphasis on functions, their analysis and their applications. Level of algebraic sophistication developed above that found in MATH 1710. Topics include exponentials and logarithms, analysis of graphs, and word problems. Graphing calculator required. TBR Common Course: MATH 1730
TBC: Quantitative Literacy
4 credit hours
Completion of BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1031 or a grade of C or better in high school chemistry and biology within the last five years is strongly recommended. Corequisite: BIOL 2011 . Meets requirements for many pre-health professional programs including nursing. Structure and function of the cell, integumentary, skeletal, muscle, and nervous systems. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2010.
OR
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010 /CHEM 3011. Corequisite: BIOL 4111. Physiological and chemical properties of life processes in animals using an organ systems approach. Emphasis on mammalian physiology. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 4110.
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: C or better in BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011. Corequisite: BIOL 2021. Meets requirements for many pre-health professional programs including nursing. Structure and function of endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems. Biology majors passing both BIOL 2010/BIOL 2111 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021 with a C or better may substitute both courses for BIOL 3020. However, the substitution is not recommended for pre-med students and does not count for upper-division hours. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2020.
OR
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and (BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011, BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021) or BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Basic mechanisms of disease processes and their role in disrupting normal physiology. Three hours lecture.
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1730 with a grade of C or better or Math ACT of 26 or better or satisfactory score on Calculus placement test. An introduction to calculus with an emphasis on analysis of functions, multidisciplinary applications of calculus, and theoretical understanding of differentiation and integration. Topics include the definition of the derivative, differentiation techniques, and applications of the derivative. Calculus topics related to trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions also included. Course concludes with the fundamental theorem of calculus; the definition of antidifferentiation and the definite integral; basic applications of integrations; and introductory techniques of integration. Graphing calculator required. TBR Common Course: MATH 1910
TBC: Quantitative Literacy
2 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2001. Open to anyone in medical and allied medical careers, but may not be taken as part of Biology major. Survey of medical lab careers, curricula, and affiliated laboratory programs; experience in medical laboratory testing procedures. One hour lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2000.
OR
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710 or successful completion of high school precalculus course. An integrated and rigorous study of the algebra and trigonometry needed to successfully attempt calculus. Emphasis on functions, their analysis and their applications. Level of algebraic sophistication developed above that found in MATH 1710. Topics include exponentials and logarithms, analysis of graphs, and word problems. Graphing calculator required. TBR Common Course: MATH 1730
TBC: Quantitative Literacy
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710 with C- or better or MATH ACT of 19 or higher. Corequisite: BIOL 1111. Primarily for Biology majors and minors and other science-oriented students. Biological principles and processes, including introduction to the nature of science, cells (structure, function, metabolism, division), genetics, and evolution. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. While BIOL 1110 can be used to fulfill half the 8-hour True Blue Core requirement for Scientific Literacy, it is the first semester of a two-semester sequence primarily designed for science majors. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1110
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 1110. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1111
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: High school chemistry and MATH 1710 with grade of C (2.0) or better or MATH ACT score of 19 or higher or CHEM 1010 with grade of C (2.0) or better. Corequisite: CHEM 1111. Fundamental concepts of atomic structure, molecular structure and bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometric relationships, periodic properties of the elements, thermochemistry, and properties of gases. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: CHEM 1110.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: CHEM 1110. TBR Common Course: CHEM 1111
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1730 with a grade of C or better or Math ACT of 26 or better or satisfactory score on Calculus placement test. An introduction to calculus with an emphasis on analysis of functions, multidisciplinary applications of calculus, and theoretical understanding of differentiation and integration. Topics include the definition of the derivative, differentiation techniques, and applications of the derivative. Calculus topics related to trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions also included. Course concludes with the fundamental theorem of calculus; the definition of antidifferentiation and the definite integral; basic applications of integrations; and introductory techniques of integration. Graphing calculator required. TBR Common Course: MATH 1910
TBC: Quantitative Literacy
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111. Corequisite: BIOL 1121. Primarily for Biology majors and minors and other science-oriented students. Survey of plants and animals emphasizing evolution, structure, function, reproduction, growth, and ecology. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1120
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 1120. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1121
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111. Corequisite: CHEM 1121. Chemical equilibrium, solid and liquid states of matter, chemistry of acids and bases, principles of chemical kinetics, precipitation reactions, elementary thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: CHEM 1120
0 credit hours
Corequisite: CHEM 1120.TBR Common Course: CHEM 1121
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121. Corequisite: BIOL 3251. An introductory course in genetics. Surveys and explores the sub-disciplines of genetics, including classical, molecular, and evolutionary genetics. Emphasis on the experiments, techniques, and theories forming the foundation of modern genetic research and its applications. Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 3250.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121 or equivalent with grade of C- or better. Corequisite: CHEM 3011. Types of carbon compounds, their nomenclature, reactions, and physical properties. Three hours lecture per week.
1 credit hour
Corequisite: CHEM 3010. Laboratory course introducing techniques in organic chemistry, including spectroscopy. One three hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710, MATH 1730, MATH 1810, or MATH 1910 with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Required corequisite: PHYS 2011. Web-based discussion class to be taken in conjunction with cooperative-learning based problems lab PHYS 2011. Classical mechanics traditionally covered in a first-semester college physics course. Kinematics, forces, momentum, angular motion, calorimetry, and sound waves. Class time used for discussion of the Web-lecture material and for the administration of exams. TBR Common Course: PHYS 2010
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1710, MATH 1730, MATH 1810, or MATH 1910 with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Required corequisite: PHYS 2010. Group-oriented problems course taken in conjunction with the Web-based discussion class PHYS 2010. Students work in groups with the topics presented in the PHYS 2010 discussion class. Covers kinematics, forces, momentum, angular motion, calorimetry, and sound waves. Skills associated with the development of experimental investigations including graphical analysis and estimation of uncertainties emphasized. Two two-and-one-half-hour laboratory sessions. TBR Common Course: PHYS 2011
2 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2001. Open to anyone in medical and allied medical careers, but may not be taken as part of Biology major. Survey of medical lab careers, curricula, and affiliated laboratory programs; experience in medical laboratory testing procedures. One hour lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2000.
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121 or BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021. Concepts and techniques pertaining to the morphology, physiology, reproduction, isolation, cultivation and identification of microorganisms with particular emphasis on bacteria. Topics include the impact of microorganisms in our daily lives, both adverse and beneficial. Background in General Chemistry is strongly recommended. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2230.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011 with grade of C- or better. Corequisite: CHEM 3021. A continuation of CHEM 3010. Three hours lecture per week.
1 credit hour
Corequisite: CHEM 3020. Laboratory course focusing more on reactions and synthesis in organic chemistry. One three-hour laboratory.
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010 /CHEM 3011. Corequisite: BIOL 4111. Physiological and chemical properties of life processes in animals using an organ systems approach. Emphasis on mammalian physiology. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 4110.
OR
4 credit hours
Completion of BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1031 or a grade of C or better in high school chemistry and biology within the last five years is strongly recommended. Corequisite: BIOL 2011 . Meets requirements for many pre-health professional programs including nursing. Structure and function of the cell, integumentary, skeletal, muscle, and nervous systems. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2010.
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Corequisite: CHEM 3531. Structure, properties, and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and their reactions in living organisms. Three-hour lecture and one three-hour lab. Does not count toward Biochemistry major.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: CHEM 3530. Lab to accompany CHEM 3530. One three-hour laboratory per week.
OR
3 credit hours
Prerequisite/corequisite: CHEM 3020/CHEM 3021; not open to those who have had CHEM 3530/CHEM 3531. Chemical properties of biological molecules such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and carbohydrates. Chemical basis of enzyme catalysis and reactions of carbohydrate metabolism. Three hours lecture per week.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math Enhanced ACT 19 or greater or equivalent. Descriptive statistics, probability, and statistical inference. The inference unit covers means, proportions, and variances for one and two samples, and topics from one-way ANOVA, regression and correlation analysis, chi-square analysis, and nonparametrics. TBR Common Course: MATH 1530
TBC: Quantitative Literacy
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and (BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011, BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021) or BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Basic mechanisms of disease processes and their role in disrupting normal physiology. Three hours lecture.
OR
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: C or better in BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011. Corequisite: BIOL 2021. Meets requirements for many pre-health professional programs including nursing. Structure and function of endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems. Biology majors passing both BIOL 2010/BIOL 2111 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021 with a C or better may substitute both courses for BIOL 3020. However, the substitution is not recommended for pre-med students and does not count for upper-division hours. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 2020.
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4301. Humoral and cellular mechanisms of immunity. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
0 credit hours
Corequisite: BIOL 4300.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CHEM 4500. Structure and metabolism of lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, and nucleic acids at the molecular level. Emphasis on chemistry of metabolic reactions. Three hours lecture per week.
Included in the electives will be the hours necessary for the completion of the required 36 upper-division hours for graduation requirements and the necessary hours to satisfy the 120-hour graduation requirement.
NOTE 1: A student who has a sufficiently high score on the ACT Mathematics test may begin with MATH 1910. If the background in math is weak, MATH 1710 should be taken before MATH 1730.
NOTE 2: A student who has had little or no high school chemistry or is not satisfied with his/her high school chemistry should first take CHEM 1010/CHEM 1011 before taking CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111.
Required for all Biology majors. Development of skill sets essential for success in the Biology major. Topics include the understanding of departmental and university resources and expectations, development of personalized academic plans, and development of skills for professional interactions.
Corequisite: BIOL 1031. Designed for non-majors. Offers understanding, experiences, and skills related to common biological issues. Includes class discussions, small group activities, lectures, selected readings, and laboratory investigations. Students earning an A in BIOL 1030/1031 and wishing to declare a major or minor in Biology may substitute BIOL 1030/BIOL 1031 for BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 toward meeting the requirement for the major or minor. Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
Corequisite: BIOL 1030.
Prerequisite: MATH 1710 with C- or better or MATH ACT of 19 or higher. Corequisite: BIOL 1111. Primarily for Biology majors and minors and other science-oriented students. Biological principles and processes, including introduction to the nature of science, cells (structure, function, metabolism, division), genetics, and evolution. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. While BIOL 1110 can be used to fulfill half the 8-hour True Blue Core requirement for Scientific Literacy, it is the first semester of a two-semester sequence primarily designed for science majors. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1110
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
Corequisite: BIOL 1110. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1111
Prerequisite: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111. Corequisite: BIOL 1121. Primarily for Biology majors and minors and other science-oriented students. Survey of plants and animals emphasizing evolution, structure, function, reproduction, growth, and ecology. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1120
Corequisite: BIOL 1120. TBR Common Course: BIOL 1121
Corequisite: BIOL 2001. Open to anyone in medical and allied medical careers, but may not be taken as part of Biology major. Survey of medical lab careers, curricula, and affiliated laboratory programs; experience in medical laboratory testing procedures. One hour lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 2000.
Completion of BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1031 or a grade of C or better in high school chemistry and biology within the last five years is strongly recommended. Corequisite: BIOL 2011 . Meets requirements for many pre-health professional programs including nursing. Structure and function of the cell, integumentary, skeletal, muscle, and nervous systems. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
Corequisite: BIOL 2010.
Prerequisite: C or better in BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011. Corequisite: BIOL 2021. Meets requirements for many pre-health professional programs including nursing. Structure and function of endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems. Biology majors passing both BIOL 2010/BIOL 2111 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021 with a C or better may substitute both courses for BIOL 3020. However, the substitution is not recommended for pre-med students and does not count for upper-division hours. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
TBC: Scientific Literacy (Discovery)
Corequisite: BIOL 2020.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1030/BIOL 1031 or BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111. Corequisite: BIOL 2031. General structure and physiological activities of human systems. Two hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 2030.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021 with grades of C (2.0) or better. Corequisite: BIOL 2101. Fundamentals of the role of microorganisms responsible for disease in humans. Does not apply toward a major or minor in Biology. Two hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory per week.
Corequisite: BIOL 2100.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121 or BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021. Concepts and techniques pertaining to the morphology, physiology, reproduction, isolation, cultivation and identification of microorganisms with particular emphasis on bacteria. Topics include the impact of microorganisms in our daily lives, both adverse and beneficial. Background in General Chemistry is strongly recommended. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 2230.
Prerequisites: 8 hours of natural sciences from the following prefixes: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, PGEO, PHYS, and PSCI. A process-oriented approach to the study of life with emphasis on execution and analysis of activities and experiments suited to the elementary school classroom. Six hours lecture and laboratory. (May not be used for Biology majors or minors.). A process-oriented approach to the study of life with emphasis on execution and analysis of activities and experiments suited to the elementary school classroom. Six hours lecture and laboratory. (May not be used for Biology majors or minors.)
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 3011. Early development of the frog, chick, pig, and human. Living material, whole mounts, and serial sections are used for studying cleavage, germ layer formation, histogenesis, and organogenesis. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 3010.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 3021. Vertebrate morphology and the development and function of systems and organs. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 3020.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Morphology, classification, evolution, life histories, and economic importance of insects. Five hours of lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 3051. Life histories, host-parasite relationships, and control measures of the more common parasites of humans and domesticated animals. Two hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 3050.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111; corequisite: BIOL 3061. Survey of the major evolutionary lineages of eukaryotic organisms. Specifically, the evolution, diversity, ecological and societal roles of autotrophic protists, heterotrophic protists, fungi, plants and animals discussed. Two hours lecture.
Corequisite: BIOL 3060. Students study representative organisms from each lineage and sub-lineage and the key structures that are used to delineate the major lineages and sub-lineages.
Prerequisites: PHYS 2010/PHYS 2011 and PHYS 2020/PHYS 2021. Types and properties of ionizing radiation, isotopes and tracer study techniques, and the biological effects of ionizing radiations on living things. Restricted to students in the Allied Health Technology program.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; permission of department. Practical experience for students in a professional setting.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 3211. Deals with microorganisms commonly found in air, water, and soil. Two hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 3210.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121. Corequisite: BIOL 3251. An introductory course in genetics. Surveys and explores the sub-disciplines of genetics, including classical, molecular, and evolutionary genetics. Emphasis on the experiments, techniques, and theories forming the foundation of modern genetic research and its applications. Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 3250.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and (BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011, BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021) or BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Basic mechanisms of disease processes and their role in disrupting normal physiology. Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3150, PHYS 2010/PHYS 2011 and PHYS 2020/PHYS 2021. Basic concepts and theories of radiation physics. Detailed analysis of the structure of matter, properties of radiation, nuclear transformations, x-ray production, and interactions of ionizing radiation emphasized. Treatment units used in external radiation therapy, measurement and quality of ionizing radiation produced, absorbed dose measurement, dose distribution, and scatter analysis presented. Restricted to students in the Allied Health Technology Program.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121. Corequisite: BIOL 3401. Basic concepts of the ecosystem and community aquatic and terrestrial habitats and population ecology; complemented by field and laboratory activities. Three hours lecture and one-three hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 3400.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Evolutionary biology for majors. Topics include history of evolutionary thinking, mechanisms of evolution, basic quantitative and population genetics, life-history theory, evolution of sex, correlated responses to selection, speciation, macroevolution, molecular evolution, fossil record and geologic time scale, phylogenic inference, and the emergence of life. Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251, successful completion of target courses, and permission of instructor. A course to refine thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills through exposure to on-the-spot technical questions and a laboratory teaching experience as an assistant in a biology laboratory. Credits will not count toward a major or minor in Biology. May be repeated for up to three credits.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Useful plants which have shaped civilization. Topics include origin of agriculture, fruits and nuts, grains and legumes, vegetables, spices and herbs, oils and waxes, medicinal plants, psychoactive plants. Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4081. Emphasizes taxonomy, morphology, and culture of fungi and their importance to humans. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4080.
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251, BIOL 3400, and BIOL 3500 or permission of instructor. Ecological form and function of forested systems with a particular emphasis on communities of the southeastern U.S. and Tennessee. Topics include dendrology, community assembly and disassembly over time, abiotic and biotic drivers of forest community succession, phylogeography and biogeography, and threats and sustainable practices. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010 /CHEM 3011. Corequisite: BIOL 4111. Physiological and chemical properties of life processes in animals using an organ systems approach. Emphasis on mammalian physiology. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4110.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251 and CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Corequisite: BIOL 4131. Microscopic anatomy of vertebrate cells, tissues, and organs. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4130.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4141. Morphology, classification, evolution, life histories, and economic importance of invertebrate phyla. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4140.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251, BIOL 4110/BIOL 4111 or BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021; CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Study of hormones and other chemical messengers including synthesis, secretion, transport, receptors, cellular, and physiological activity. Focus on humans and other vertebrates. Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4181. Structure, life history, and classification of fish, amphibians, and mammals. Local representatives emphasized. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4180.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231, BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251, BIOL 3400/BIOL 3401, and BIOL 3500. Readings and discussions from scientific literature on a particular theme that will incorporate topics in cellular biology, energetics, genetics, molecular and organismal biology, evolution, and ecology., Majors advised to take this course during the semester of graduation.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251, BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231, and CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Corequisite: BIOL 4211. Cellular morphology and function. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4210.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250 BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4221. The morphology, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of fishes. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4220.
Prerequisite: Permission of department. Tissue fixation, dehydration, embedding, and thin sectioning for examination and development of micrographs using a Zeiss electron microscope. Seven hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: Permission of department. Selection, design, and conduction of projects typically allied with an instructor's research program. May be repeated for a total of twelve credits. Only four credits may count toward the Biology major.
Prerequisite: Permission of department. Preparation of biological and non-biological materials for examination and development of micrographs using an ISI electron microscope. Seven hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4301. Humoral and cellular mechanisms of immunity. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4300.
Prerequisites: BIOL 4110/BIOL 4111 or BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021, BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251 and (CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011). Interdependence of cardiac, hemodynamic, and renal mechanisms in regulating volume status, vascular tones, and cardiac output. Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121; permission of department; and junior or senior standing. An intensive classroom and on-site study of a specific biome. Special emphasis on data collection and analysis. Consult the department chair for specific credits and costs.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251 and MATH 1910. Corequisite: BIOL 4351. Statistical methods utilized in biological research. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4350.
Prerequisite: BIOL 4290. Elemental analysis of materials using an energy dispersive x-ray system with scanning electron microscopy. Three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites of BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251 (or FSBI 3250/FSBI 3251). Taphonomic factors and events related to human decomposition and the role of forensic investigators/scientists in the forensic context.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4391. Innate and learned animal behavior in primitive and advanced animals including behavior associated with space, reproduction, and food getting. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4390.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111, BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121, and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251 (or permission of department). Major themes in the ecology and evolution of plants. Topics include how plants sense, respond, and adapt to their environment, life history, species, and patterns of diversity and abundance of plants. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Microorganisms that cause disease in humans and other animals, their isolation and identification, mechanisms of disease causation, and methods of control. Six hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111 and CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121. Viruses, with emphasis on their clinical importance and impact on biotechnology. Six hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231, BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111, CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121. Corequisite: BIOL 4451. Basic techniques of molecular genetics and gene manipulation with emphasis on the application of molecular genetics in basic and applied research. Three hours lecture and one separate three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4450. Three hour lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4461. Application of the fundamental laws of inheritance to humans. Two hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4460.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251 and CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Plant growth, development, and metabolism at the cellular and whole plant levels. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231. Corequisite: BIOL 4511. Interaction between microorganisms and food; industrial processes of importance to humans. Six hours lecture/laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4510.
Prerequisites:BIOL 2230/BIOL 2231 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Instruction in both theory and application of current research methodologies in biology and molecular biology. Topics include immunochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme analysis, and electrophoresis. Five hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Corequisite: BIOL 4561. Introduces comparative neurobiology. Topics include the basic structure and function of the nerve cell and organization of nervous systems of representative species of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4560.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111, BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121, CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111, CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121, and CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Corequisite: BIOL 4571. Study of adverse effects of chemical agents on living organisms; current toxicological techniques used in the laboratory. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4570.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250 BIOL 3251, CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111, and CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121. Corequisite: BIOL 4581. Introduction to the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of major marine environments and their associated flora and fauna. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory.
Corequisite: BIOL 4580.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110/BIOL 1111, BIOL 1120/BIOL 1121, CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111, CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121, and CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Ecological effects of chemicals in the environment and techniques currently utilized to assess these effects. Lab includes current environmental assessment techniques, including biomonitoring. Six hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; BIOL 4210 recommended. Corequisite: BIOL 4721. Processes and underlying molecular mechanisms by which a single fertilized egg develops into an adult organism, focusing on vertebrate development, but including insights gained from other model organisms. Three hours lecture and two hours lab.
Corequisite: BIOL 4720.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251; CHEM 1110/CHEM 1111, CHEM 1120/CHEM 1121, and CHEM 2030/CHEM 2031 or CHEM 3010/CHEM 3011. Survey of the physiology and biochemistry of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Six hours lecture/laboratory.
(Same as ABAS/CHEM/GEOL/PHYS/MATH 4740.) Prerequisites: YOED 3520 and BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Provides secondary science and mathematics teacher candidates with the tools that scientists use to solve scientific problems. Students will use these tools in a laboratory setting, communicate findings, and understand how scientists develop new knowledge.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3250/BIOL 3251. Processes and reasoning behind the human manipulation of plant species for agricultural and technological purposes. Topics include traditional breeding techniques, tissue culture, plant cell transformation, and general plant molecular biology techniques as well as current debate over genetically modified organisms. Six hours lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 4350/BIOL 4351 or equivalent; access to Mac or PC laptop must be confirmed. Takes a ground-up approach to teaching the fundamentals of biostatistical analysis using R programming language and RStudio.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1110 or CHEM 1110 or PSY 1410. Responsible conduct in scientific research. Topics include conflict of interest, plagiarism, reporting of scientific results, authorship, responsible use and care of animals, responsible use of human subjects.
This program is available .
Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.
With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person.
Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.
