The Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics Track will provide guidance and structure to students with a desire to specialize in the study of inheritance and will formally recognize their chosen area of specialization in the description of their degree. The selected course offerings span the spectrum of studies within the area of inheritance, allowing students to select broadly from courses that provide sophisticated insight into genetic information and genetic analysis. The selected courses also allow students to dive deeply into different realms of genetics, including: emphasis on microbes (BIO 308, 309 and 510); emphasis on animals (BIO 404, 405, 429, 527); emphasis on analytical technology (BIO 337, 404, 461, 510, 520, STA 579, STA 580, ABT 460); emphasis on development (BIO 404, 405, 429, 445, 527, PGY 417); and emphasis on evolution (BIO 461, 508, 518).

Students selecting this track will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the most important and fundamental theories and ideas in contemporary biology from a perspective that emphasizes inheritance, organization, and analysis of genetic information.

For both the Biology B.S. and the Biology B.A. (with Topical Focus)

• 12 of the upper-level elective hours must be completed from the courses listed below (for the B.S. this represents 12 out of a total 15 upper-level elective hours; for the B.A. this represents 12 out of a total 13-15 upper-level elective hours, depending on the topical focus courses)
• A maximum of 3 credit hours of BIO 394/395/397 will count towards these 12 hours
• The remaining upper-level elective hours can be completed with any approved upper-level biology elective course (including BIO 394/395/397) - see full list
• A maximum of 6 credit hours of BIO 394/395/397 will count towards a biology degree
• At least 9 credit hours of upper-level electives must have a BIO prefix

For full course descriptions, please continue to the course bulletin: B.A. / B.S.

Click here for track course prerequisites and which semesters they are offered

BIO 308: General Microbiology (3)

BIO 309: Microbiology Laboratory (2)

BIO 337: Mathematical Modeling in the Life Sciences (3)

BIO 395/397: Research in Biology/Microbiology (max 3 credit hours toward track) (1-3)

BIO 404: Advanced Genetics (3)

BIO 405: Human Genetics (3)

BIO 429: Developmental Biology

BIO 445: Biology of Sex (3)

BIO 461: Introduction to Population Genetics (3)

BIO 508: Evolution (3)

BIO 510: Recombinant DNA Techniques Laboratory (4)

BIO 418: Ecological Genetics (3)

BIO 520: Bioinformatics (3)

BIO 527: Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering, and Regenerative Medicine (3)

BIO 380: Special Topics in Biology (Intermediate Level) (Subtitle required). Subtitle must be approved by Director of Undergraduate Studies (1-4)

Courses from outside the Biology Department:

STA 570: Basic Statistical Analysis (4)

STA 580: Biostatistics I (2)

ABT 460: Introduction to Molecular Genetics (Cross listed as ENT 460) (3)

PGY 417: Genomics and Epigenetics (2)

Other courses can be accepted by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Biology on a case by case basis

*For questions regarding the Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics Track, please email biology@uky.edu.