Department of Biological Sciences

Location: Herrmann Science Center 204D
Telephone: 859-572-5110
Fax: 859-572-5639
Email Address: biology@nku.edu
Web Address:  https://inside.nku.edu/artsci/departments/biology 
Department Chair: Lindsey Walters
Other Key Personnel:

Assistant Chair: David Thompson
Academic Advisor: Lynn Crane, Heleen Giesbers
Department Coordinator: David Hils
Secretary: Victoria Hugo

Full-Time Faculty: Charles A. Acosta, Anthony Avenido, Bethany V. Bowling, Richard L. Boyce, Joshua Cooper, Christine Curran, Gregory Dahlem, Richard D. Durtsche, Subhomita Ghosh Roy, Heleen Giesbers, Kristine N. Hopfensperger, Patricia Kappesser, Joseph Mester, Sydney Oluoch, Allison Parker, Bradley Sarchet, Mary Schilling, Patrick J. Schultheis, Emily Shifley, Erin Strome, David Thompson, Lindsey Walters, Mary K. Whitson, Lauren Williamson,  Yingying Xie

Thinking about the discipline: A major in the biological sciences can lead to a variety of careers including laboratory and field research, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, teaching, forensics, and many others.

Special opportunities for our students: The best way for students to learn about science is by doing science. Therefore, the department strongly encourages all students majoring in biology to participate in research with a faculty member. Students can begin learning about research in “BIO 292 Introduction to Research in Biology (0 credits) ” and continue working with a faculty member in “BIO 392 Techniques of the Biological Sciences (1-2 credits) .” In BIO 392  students will learn techniques they can use in “BIO 492 Directed Research: Biological Sciences (1-3 credits) .” Students present their data at local, state, and national professional meetings.

Biology courses are often offered in a variety of countries, presenting students with the opportunity for international experiences. In addition, the department has multiple active clubs: Tri-Beta National Honor Society, Health Professions Club, Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students, Birding Club, Herpetology and Ichthyology Club, and Scuba Club.

Special admission requirements: There are no specific  admission requirements for the programs in this department.

Interdisciplinary Major:

• Environmental Science, B.A.  
• Environmental Science, B.S.  
• Neuroscience, B.S.  

Pre-Professional programs:

NOTE: The following are not majors; they are areas of emphasis for advising purposes. Other pre-professional programs can be found in the section of the catalog dealing with pre-professional programs. The pre-professional programs that fit well with biology are:

• Pre-Dental  
• Pre-Medical or Physician Assistant  
• Pre-Optometry  
• Pre-Pharmacy  
• Pre-Physical Therapy  
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine  
• Pre-Forestry *
• Pre-Wildlife Management *

Interdisciplinary Minors:

• Environmental Studies Minor  
• Neuroscience Minor  

Programs

• Biological Sciences, B.A.
• Biological Sciences, B.S.
• Neuroscience, B.S.

• Biological Sciences Minor

• Pre-Forestry
• Pre-Wildlife Management