Biological Sciences

A study of basic biological principles common to living organisms, this course is intended for non-majors who desire a lab science requirement. Topics of study include: scientific thinking, basic chemistry, cell structure and membrane transport, energy and cell pathways, DNA and gene expression, chromosomes and cell division, genes and inheritance, and evolution and natural selection. Related investigations take place in a required two-hour lab period each week. There will be no required dissections in the laboratory.

This course is intended for students pursuing careers in Nursing or other Allied Health fields and satisfies the biology prerequisite for A&P 1 (BIOL& 241). Course content includes the following topics: 1) cellular order and organization including cell chemistry, biological molecules, and cell structure and physiology; 2) energetics including enzymes and carbohydrate metabolism; 3) reproduction, growth and development including DNA replication, cell cycle and control, and cell division; 4) cellular regulation including membranes, transport, protein synthesis, gene regulation, cell signaling, and buffer systems. This course does not satisfy the prerequisite for BIOL& 222 or 223. Related investigations take place in a three-hour lab period each week.

The first quarter in a three-quarter general biology series, this series is designed for life-science majors, pre-professional students, and for students intending to take advanced courses in the biological sciences. Topics of study include: ecology including population, community, and ecosystem ecology; evolution including the origin and history of life, microevolution, macro evolution, and systematics; the diversity of life including bacteria, archaea, protists, plants, fungi, and animals. Related investigations take place in a three-hour lab period each week. NOTE: This majors’ biology sequence may be taken in the following order: BIOL& 222, 223, and 221, with instructor’s permission.

The second quarter in a three-quarter general biology series, this series is designed for life-science majors, for pre-professional students, and for students intending to take advanced courses in the biological sciences. Topics of study include: cell chemistry and biological molecules, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, membrane transport, energetics and cell metabolism, cell communication, DNA replication, gene expression, and gene regulation, cell division, genetics, and developmental genetics. Related investigations take place in a three-hour lab period each week. NOTE: This majors’ biology sequence may be taken in the following order: BIOL& 222,223, and 221, with instructor’s permission.

The third quarter in a three-quarter general biology series, this series is designed for life-science majors, pre-professional students, and for students intending to take advanced courses in the biological sciences. Topics of study include: animal and plant anatomy, physiology, and development. Related investigations take place in a three-hour lab period each week.

An analysis of the structure and function of human skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems as well as the role of receptor-ligand interactions and introductory histology. Emphasis will be given to the homeostatic relationships between systems. Four hours of lab per week will be devoted to exploring these systems. Lab participation is required for credit.

The second quarter of a two-quarter sequence which includes the structure, function and pathology of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.  Emphasis will be given to the homeostatic relationships between systems.  Four hours of lab per week will be devoted to exploring these systems.  Lab participation is required for credit.

An introduction to microbes and their activities. Emphasis will be given to the areas of bacteriology, immunology, virology and epidemiology. Four hours of lab per week is required for credit. Labs will deal with the culture and identification of organisms, as well as genetic transformation.