Welcome to the biology Department
Course Descriptions
Prerequisite Grade
Any course listed in this Catalog with a prerequisite assumes a grade of C- or better in the prerequisite course.
Lower Division Courses
*5 Concepts in Evolutionary Biology
This question-oriented course designed for non-majors explores how science works through an examination of the concepts of the theory of evolution by natural selection, which is considered to be the unifying theme of the biological sciences. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Fills Area B requirement.
Contemporary genetic science bears directly on many matters of importance to human societies, such as racial differentiation, variations in mental ability, and the incidence of genetically-based pathologies. This course presents the historical and experimental evidence on which the science of heredity is based and pursues the practical implications of this science for the successful conduct of society. Intended for the general student regardless of major. Three lecture/discussion hours per week. Laboratory fee $185.
7 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Study of the variation and evolution of the human species and its place in nature. Molecular, Mendelian and population genetics serve as a basis to discussions of natural selection and how that affects biological and physiological adaptation. The emphasis of this course is directed towards why we see broad variations among Homo sapiens and how these variations affect humans in their life cycle, health and culture. Three lecture hours and one three-hour lab per week. Laboratory fee $175.
Study of the gross and microscopic structure of the human body. This course, emphasizing the structural relationships and functional aspects of gross anatomy, proceeds from the cell to tissues to organs. A strong high school science background is recommended. Three hours of lecture per week. Concurrent enrollment in Biology 16 is prerequisite to enrollment in Biology 15. Not appropriate for non-major Area B.
Laboratory to accompany Biology 15. Laboratory will be taught from dissected human material, models and microscopic slides to allow students to learn from direct experience. One three-hour lab per week. Laboratory fee $175.
Study of the function of the major organs and organ systems of the human body. This course, emphasizing regulation and integration, proceeds from general cell function to an overview of the controlling mechanisms and finally to the individual systems. A strong high school science background is recommended. Three hours of lecture per week. Concurrent enrollment in Biology 26 is prerequisite to enrollment in Biology 25. Not appropriate for non-major Area B.
26 Human Physiology Laboratory
Laboratory to accompany Biology 25. The laboratory consists of experiments and demonstrations designed to incorporate principles of physiology. One three-hour lab per week. Laboratory fee $185.
The biology of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, with emphasis on those forms of medical importance to man. Three hours of lecture per week. Must be accompanied by Biology 41.
41 Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory to accompany Biology 40. Includes techniques for culture, isolation, characterization, and identification of microorganisms. One lab per week for three hours. Laboratory fee $175.
A one semester introduction to the basic principles and concepts of biological science. Designed for students not majoring in biology. Three hours of lecture per week. Must be accompanied by Biology 51.
Laboratory to accompany Biology 50. One lab per week for three hours. Laboratory fee $175.
An interdisciplinary science course which in addition to inter-science syntheses forges into areas of theology, philosophy and social science syntheses. It is designed for both non-science and science majors, and fulfills an Area B requirement. The course explores original ideas concerning the role played by symbiosis in the origin of the universe and life on earth, and in the development of the earth’s ecosystems. It argues that phases of creation are organized around the principles of symbiotic mutualism. It suggests that such cooperation is dictated by the laws of physics and therefore was established at the moment of creation. This universal thread of symbiosis is evident in the formation of atoms, elements and matter, chemical interactions, star and planetary systems, and simple to complex life forms. It drives evolution from the primordial soup to cells, multicellular organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems, and human societies as well. One lab per week for three hours. Laboratory fee $175.
An introductory course that examines the ocean world and its inhabitants. Topics include: physical and chemical properties of sea water; tides and currents; geological principles; coastal and open ocean habitats; life in planktonic and benthic communities; coral reef, hydrothermal vent and mangrove ecosystems. Three hours of lecture per week. One lab per week for three hours. Laboratory fee $175.
Biology of Women is an introduction to the structure, physiology, and genetics of women across the life span. The first half of the course will explore the genetic, hormonal, and developmental basis for one’s gender. We will study physiology and development from conception, through puberty, pregnancy, and aging. The latter part of the course will deal with specific health concerns of women and focus on high frequency or uniquely gender-related illnesses and their physiologic basis. The lab is intended to demonstrate the varied processes of science and the scientific method using women’s biology as the basic subject material. Open to men and women. Laboratory fee $175.
This is the first semester of a three-semester sequence designed for biology majors and others requiring a rigorous treatment of the subject. It is designed to prepare students for upper division course and includes material on the principles of genetics and evolution, the diversity of organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants, animals), their defining characteristics, related physiology, and their population and community ecology. Three hours of lecture per week. Required for all biology majors. Prerequisite: None. Must be accompanied by Biology 91.
Laboratory to accompany Biology 90. One laboratory per week for four hours. Laboratory fee $175.
92 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
This is a second semester course of a three semester sequence designed for biology majors and others requiring rigorous introductory treatment of the subject. It is designed to prepare the student for upper division courses in cell and molecular biology, and includes biochemical, structural, metabolic, and genetic aspects of cells. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: Biology 90, 91 (lab) and Chemistry 10, 11 (lab) with a grade of C– or better in both courses. Must be accompanied by Biology 93.
93 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
Laboratory to accompany Biology 92. One laboratory per week for four hours. Laboratory fee $185.
This is a third semester of a course designed for biology majors and others requiring a rigorous introductory treatment of the subject. It is designed to prepare the student for upper division courses in anatomy and physiology and covers material on plant anatomy, whole plant physiology, animal anatomical structure, and the major physiological systems found in animals (nutrition, transport, circulation, gas exchange, homeostasis, chemical signaling and control, and sensory systems). Required for biology majors. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 8, 9 (lab) with a grade of C– or better. Must be accompanied by Biology 95.
95 Functional Biology Laboratory
Laboratory to accompany Biology 95. One laboratory per week for four hours. Laboratory fee $175.
Upper Division Courses
Biology 90, 91 (lab) serve as prerequisite for all upper division courses. Each upper division course has additional prerequisites, with a grade of C– or better in each of these prerequisites. See course descriptions to determine these prerequisites.
*100 Functional Vertebrate Anatomy
The course examines vertebrate form and function through the topics of vertebrate evolution, functional morphology, and development, along with the study of soft tissues, organ systems, and skin. Three lecture hours and two labs per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 94-95.
*102 Embryology and Development
Explores the processes and patterns of fertilization and embryonic development of animals with an emphasis on mechanisms controlling cell differentiation and morphogenesis. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 92-93; Chemistry 104, 106.
A study of behavior of animals, including primates and humans, and the mechanisms that control behavior at both the biological and psychological levels. Field trips may be required. Cross-listed with Psychology 113. Biology majors pre-requisite, 90, 91.
Principles of biological inheritance in animals, plants, and microorganisms, including some consideration of the areas of molecular, population, and human genetics. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: 90-91, 92-93.
*110 Parasitism and Symbiology
A comprehensive course in parasitology, focusing on the many facets of symbiosis common to every level of biology. It embraces the three basic types of intimate interrelationship between different species of organisms: parasitism, mutualism and commensalism. This course examines an array of interactions in all three types of interrelationships, at many levels of interdependency. All five kingdoms, from bacteria, protoctists, and fungi to plants and animals, are studied. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 90-91, 94-95.
Examines marine life in terms of physiological, evolutionary, systematic and ecological principles. Topics covered include: marine procaryotes, unicellular eucaryotes and the multicellular eucaryotes (i.e., the invertebrates, vertebrates and marine plants). The organization of and interrelationships among marine organisms and their environments are considered from an ecosystem perspective. Shallow and deep benthic, intertidal, estuarine, coastal water, coral reef and open ocean systems are examined in detail. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 90-91, 94-95.
Historical development of evolutionary theories. Modern concepts concerning the process of organic evolution, including population genetics, natural selection, and the origin of species. Topics on macroevolution, including adaption and extinction. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: Biology 90-91, 94-95.
*116 History and Philosophy of Biology
Development of the major concepts of biology from antiquity to the modern era, with a consideration of what these developmental sequences show about the nature of the scientific process. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: Biology 90- 91, 94-95.
119 Research Design and Biostatistics
Principles of experimental design, sampling methodologies, data collection and analysis are discussed, along with practical applications of these area in biological experimentation. Course includes use of computers. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 90-91, or 92-93.
Advanced study of the vertebrates, with attention to phylogeny, morphology, and natural history of the major vertebrate groups. Laboratory and field work emphasize taxonomy of local forms, methods of study, and special projects. Three lecture hours and one lab/field period per week. Laboratory fee $150. Prerequisite: Biology 90-91.
*122 Comparative Animal Physiology
The functions of the major organ systems of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Emphasis on general principles of function as exemplified in the major animal phyla. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 90 series; Chemistry 104, 106.
An examination of the classical and emerging concepts of ecology from a primarily but not exclusively descriptive perspective. Topics include: comparative study of marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems; global warming; population ecology; the decomposition cycle; nutrient cycling; concepts related to niche theory, fitness, competitive exclusion, natural selection, and evolution. Prerequisite: Biology 90-91.
Fundamental principles of general mammalian physiology combined with physiology of organ systems; including integrative and homeostatic mechanisms. Emphasis is on human physiology with examples taken from mammalian systems. Application of these principles to interpretation of disease is included. Laboratory includes human and mammalian experiments with emphasis on instrumentation and interpretation of results. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 92-93, 94-95; Chemistry 104, 106.
An introduction to the structure, physiology, and genetics of microorganisms with focus on bacteria and viruses. The application of fundamental knowledge about these organisms to problems of medical microbiology is included. Laboratory involves application of bacteriological techniques to the study of taxonomy, physiology and genetics of bacteria and viruses. Three hours of lecture and two two-hour labs per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 90-91, 92-93; Chemistry 104, 106.
A special topics course in which selected areas of current interest in cell biology are studied. Choice of topic varies (e.g., membrane structure and function, nerve and muscle, control of cell division, cellular immunology). Emphasis is placed on experimental methods and answering the question “How do we know what we know?” Three hours of lecture and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 92-93; Chemistry 104, 106.
An introduction to the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Consideration is given to the properties of enzymes and enzyme catalyzed reactions in the cell. Applications to human function, disease, and diet are included. Three hours of lecture and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 92-93, Chemistry 104, 106.
An introduction to the structure and function of the genetic apparatus. This course is a study of what genes are and how they operate, and includes recent discoveries in the areas of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in both prokaryotes and eucaryotes. Laboratory includes both discussion and practice of techniques used in genetic engineering. Three hours of lecture and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 92-93, Chemistry 104, 106.
An introduction to the immune system: its components, how it functions, how it is regulated and how it is protective. The immune response and our ability to react to such a diversity of molecules with specificity are discussed in detail. In addition, the immunologic basis for tissue/organ transplant rejection, disease prevention vaccines and cancer immunotherapy are presented. Three hours of lecture and one lab period per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 92-93; Chemistry 104, 106.
*142 California Flora and Communities
Survey of selected plant communities of California. Includes a dual emphasis on field recognition of important plant families and genera of these communities and an understanding of the relationship of the component species to their environment. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 90-91.
The study of plant biology at an advanced level, including topics in the structure and development, reproductive patterns, taxonomy, identification, phylogeny, and distribution of major plant groups. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 90- 91.
The functional aspects of plant life and the relation of plants to their physical, chemical, and biological environment. Emphasis on the vascular plants. Three lecture hours and one lab/field period per week. Laboratory fee $175. Prerequisite: Biology 90-91.
Conservation biology is a field of biological science that draws upon the principles of ecology, genetics and evolution in an effort to understand the patterns and processes underlying the biological diversity of our planet. The course examines the current status of our scientific understanding of biodiversity, threats to biodiversity resulting from human activities, and strategies to conserve and restore the integrity of the earth’s biological systems. Course activities include case studies, computer modeling and field trips. Three hours of lecture and one lab/field period per week. Lab fee $175. Prerequisites: Biology 90-91.
An independent study course for students whose needs are not met by courses available in the regular offerings of the department. Permission of the instructor and the department chairperson required. Laboratory fee, when appropriate, $175.
A research course for upper division majors with a B average in Biology. Permission of instructor and department chairperson required. Laboratory fee, when appropriate, $175.
*Offered in alternate years.
* Offered in alternate years.
** Offered at least once in a three-year period.
# Does not fulfill an Area requirement.
