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Course Descriptions

The Life Sciences Division has courses that can help students pursuing different educational goals.  This includes  students that are : 

Biology Majors  

Health Science Majors  

Non-Biology Majors 

Environmental Science Majors

Read on for the courses we offer!

 

Biology Majors Course Series

For students looking to major in the biological sciences. 

BIOS 21A - Principles of Plant Biology and Ecology 
4.00 units

Principles of the diversity, structure and function of autotrophs including plants, protists, and bacteria. Emphasis on cell reproduction, alternation of generations, plant morphology and anatomy, homeostasis, development, phylogeny, taxonomy, and systematics. Principles of ecology including conservation biology. This course is intended for students majoring in biological sciences OR for students who will apply to professional schools, including schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. May not receive credit if BIOL 6 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Prerequisite: MTH 55 (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) (or MTH 255) or equivalent. 

Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 1 

BIOS 21B - Principles of Animal Biology and Evolution 
4.00 units

Principles of the diversity, structure and function of heterotrophic organisms-animals, protists, and fungi with emphasis on homeostasis, development, phylogeny and taxonomy. Principles of evolution, evolutionary history, and population genetics. Intended for biological sciences majors. This course is intended for students majoring in biological sciences OR for students who will apply to professional schools, including schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. May not receive credit if BIOL 4 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Prerequisite: MTH 55 (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) (or MTH 255) or equivalent and BIOS 21A (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) (or BIOL 6) or CHEM 1A, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) 

Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 1   

 

BIOS 21C - Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 
5.00 units

Principles of the structure and function of biological molecules, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and viruses, with emphasis on homeostasis, cell reproduction and its controls, molecular and transmission genetics, control of gene expression, genetic control of pattern formation in development, and cell metabolism. This course is intended for students majoring in biological sciences OR for students who will apply to professional schools, including schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. May not receive credit if BIOL 2 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory.  Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Prerequisite: CHEM 1A, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) and BIOS 21A (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) (or BIOL 6) or BIOS 21B (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) (or BIOL 4) 

Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 1 

Health Science Majors Course Series

For health science majors , for to transfer to a four year university or to major in a health care professional program.

BIOS 41 - Fundamentals of Biology for Health Sciences 
4.00 units

A course that explores basic principles of biology. Emphasis is placed on cell structure and function, cell division, cell metabolism, reproduction, genetics, taxonomy, the origin of life, evolution, animal tissues and development. The laboratory emphasizes the development of important laboratory skills, such as using the metric system, collecting data, graphing, interpreting data, preparing for and taking laboratory exams. Designed to prepare the necessary concepts and laboratory skills and experience that are needed to succeed in more advanced courses in biology. This course is intended for students who will study in health sciences fields including students intending to apply to schools of nursing , dental hygiene, and medical technologies. May not receive credit if BIOL 31 has been completed successfully. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Strongly Recommended: MTH 53, Eligibility for ENGL 1

BIOS 42 - General Human Anatomy 
5.00 units

Examine the correlations between the structures and functions of the human body in both health and diseased states. Explore tissue and organ structure through both gross and microscopic examinations as well as organ and cadaver dissection. May not receive credit if ANAT 1 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory.  Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Prerequisite: BIOS 41, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOL 31, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOS 21C, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) 

Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher)

BIOS 43 - Human Physiology 
5.00 units

Human cellular and systemic body functions are studied. Emphasis is placed on physics, chemistry, and clinical concepts. Students will learn collection and analysis of data, extrapolations and conclusions. Working models, including human responses, and computer simulations are studied. Intended for students needing preparation for careers and program prerequisites in nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy and other allied health sciences. May not receive credit if PHSI 1 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory.  Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Prerequisite: CHEM 30A, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) and BIOS 42, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) 

Strongly Recommended: CHEM 30B, and Eligibility for ENGL 1,

BIOS 44 - Microbiology 
5.00 units

Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and viruses, with an emphasis on their relationships to humans and disease. Microbial growth and control, microbial metabolism, and microbial genetics. Microbe-host interactions, including the beneficial microflora and the pathogenesis of contemporary infectious diseases. Methods used in the laboratory, including cultivation, staining, isolation, quantification, identification, and antibiotic sensitivity testing of microbes. Intended for students planning to enter training programs leading to allied health professions, such as registered nurse and dental hygienist. May not receive credit if MICR 1 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory.  Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Prerequisite: BIOS 41, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOL 31, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOS 21C, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOL 2, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOS 21B, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or BIOL 4, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) and CHEM 30A, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or CHEM 1A, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) 

Strongly Recommended: BIOS 42, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or ANAT 1, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) and Eligibility for ENGL 1, (completed with a grade of "C" or higher)
. 

Non-Majors Courses

For students looking for individual biology courses to fulfill their laboratory science requirements for general education or for a degree in a related field.

BIOS 1 - Introduction to the Science of Biology 
4.00 units

This course covers basic principles of biology using a thematic approach including: cell biology and genetics, impacts of climate change on ecosystems, energy use in plants and animals, and the cellular basis for various diseases and disorders. The lab portion allows students to conduct scientific investigations and get hands-on experiences with microscopy and other biological procedures. In addition, the lab delves into bioethical issues and connects lecture topics to real world scenarios. This course is intended to fulfill the natural sciences general education requirement for students majoring outside of the biological or health sciences. May not receive credit if BIOL 10 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.  Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Requisites: none

BIOS 5 - Human Heredity and Evolution 
3.00 units

Apply the fundamental concepts underlying human genetics and evolution to contemporary technologies and topics. Applications such as transgenic organisms, DNA forensics, human genetic diversity and ancestry, and the genetic components of diseases will be explored. May not receive credit if BIOL 25 has been completed successfully.  3 hours lecture.  Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

Requisites: none

BIOS 15 - Anatomy and Physiology 
4.00 units

Structure and function of the human body is studied. Emphasis on human anatomy and physiological principles at the cellular and systemic level. Designed primarily for majors in paramedic and medical assisting programs and pre-medical students who wish to explore the realm of anatomy and physiology. May not receive credit if BIOL 50 has been completed successfully.

Requisites: none

 

Environmental Science Courses

For students looking for individual Environmental Science courses to fulfill their science requirements for general education ,  for a degree in Environmental Sciences or for a related field.

ENSC 10 - Humans and the Environment (3 units) 
Identification of problems created by humans' modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as they relate to specific environments. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. 3 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

ENSC 11 - Humans and the Environment with Laboratory (4 units) 
Identification of problems created by humans' modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as they relate to specific environments. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE; IGETC; AA/AS.

ENSC 12 - Current Issues in Environmental Science (3 units) 
Identification of problems created by humans' modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species. Introduction of fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and ecology with emphasis on application of these concepts to a range of contemporary environmental issues including human population growth, resource use, pollution and global change. Environmental Science 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. 3 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU; UC; CSU/GE: E, AA/AS.

ENSC 15 - Agroecology (3 units) 
Principles of the ecology of sustainable food systems. The environmental impact of agriculture, types of agriculture, soil science, plant structure, reproduction, development and growth and plants' interactions with other organisms. The interactions of culture, human population growth, and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems Designed for non-majors in environmental science.

ENSC 15L - Agroecology Laboratory (1 unit)
Laboratory exercises developed as an adjunct to ENSC 15 (Agroecology). Practical applications of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable food systems. Investigation of abiotic factors and organisms that make up agroecosystems. Examination of gardens, farms and the local food system. Prerequisite: ENSC 15 (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) ENSC 15 (may be taken concurrently).