Course Descriptions
BIOL-1 General Biology
(3 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC General Biology
is an introductory course in life science, emphasizing the
unifying principles of biology. Applications of biological
concepts to current human issues are also considered. Note:
Required of pre-nursing majors. Not open to students who have
completed or who are currently enrolled in BIOL-3. Non-science
majors should see BIOL-8, 10, 15 and ENVSC-10.
BIOL-2 Microbiology
(4 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC A study of the kinds
of and methods of identifying microorganisms, their anatomy,
physiology, genetics, and ecological importance. Emphasizes
the role of microorganisms in disease and the mechanisms
of host resistance to disease. Laboratory work emphasizes
the importance of aseptic techniques, methods of control,
procedures for isolating and culturing, and methods used in
identifying microorganisms. Prerequisite: BIOL-1
BIOL-3 Fundamental Cell Biology
(4 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC A study of the
fundamental structure and function of cells including
consideration of all eucaryotic cell organelles, reproduction,
evolutionary theory, and genetics. Considerable incorporation
of relevant biochemical and biotechnological topics. Note: This
course is designed for those majoring in biological sciences or related
fields. Prerequisite: CHEM-1A
BIOL-4 General Zoology
(4 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC An introduction
to the anatomy, physiology, and ecology of the major animal
taxa in an explicitly evolutionary and comparative framework.
Note: This course is designed for those majoring in biological sciences
or related fields. UC Admissions requires that students have Math
120 as a prerequisite or corequisite for this course.
BIOL-5 Introduction to Botany
(4 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC A study of form,
function, ecology, natural history, and evolution of members
of the plant kingdom. Note: This course is designed for those
majoring in biological sciences or related fields. UC Admissions
requires that students have Math 120 as a prerequisite or corequisite
for this course.
BIOL-6 Human Anatomy
(4 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC This course
provides an introduction to human anatomy. It includes the
study of the gross and microscopic structure of all the organ
systems of the human body with special emphasis on the
relationship between structure and function. Laboratory
work includes the study of human cadavers. Prerequisite or
Corequisite: BIOL-1
BIOL-7 Human Physiology
(4 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC This course
provides the student with an introduction to human
physiology. Included is a study of the function of all the organ
systems of the body. Special emphasis is given to the role of
each system in regulating and maintaining bodily homeostasis. Prerequisite: BIOL-1
BIOL-8 Human Biology
(3 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU An introduction to general
biological concepts with an emphasis on humans, their
evolution, and how they interact with their environment.
Human anatomy, physiology, and the disease process will be
discussed. This is a general education course for non-science
majors.
BIOL-9 Plants and Civilization
(3 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU and UC An introduction
to economic botany covering plants as a resource for people in
food, fiber, shelter, medicine and other uses. Laboratory topics
include an overview of plant biology as well as identification
and uses of economically important plants on a local and
global scale.
BIOL-10 Introduction to Biology
(3 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC A course dealing
with ecology and natural history; heredity and evolution; and
the structure, function, and identification of organisms. Basic
biological concepts will be presented in support of these topics.
BIOL-15 Marine Biology
(4 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU and UC An introduction
to life in the sea and the unique environmental factors that
affect the distribution and natural history of marine organisms.
Topics covered include the biology, ecology, and identification
of local marine organisms. This course includes field trips to
various marine and estuarine environments. The College does not
provide transportation.
BIOL-16 Birds of the North Coast
(3 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU An introduction to the
biology, evolution, anatomy, physiology, and behavior of
birds. Identification, natural history, and ecology of North
Coast birds will be studied. This is a natural history course for
the beginning and intermediate bird watcher. Field trips are
required. The College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-17 Wildflowers, Trees and Shrubs
(2 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC Identification,
structure, function, and ecological relationships of North Coast
plants, trees, shrubs and wildflowers will be studied. Note:
This is a natural history course for the amateur botanist. Field trips
are required. The College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-18 Natural History of North Coast Animals
(3 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU An introduction to the
biology and natural history of local animals with an emphasis
on North Coast amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and
selected invertebrate groups. Note: This is a course for the general
education student with interests in biology and natural history. Field
trips are required. The College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-19 Rare Plants: Species of Special Concern
(2 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU The identification and
ecology of North Coast plants of special concern as defined
by the Department of Fish and Game. Key features used in
identification will be covered as well as plants that are often
mistaken for rare species. Habitat preference as well as other
ecological features, such as reproductive ecology, will be
discussed.
BIOL-20 Natural History
(3 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU An introduction for
non-science majors to the identification, natural history and
ecological relationships of plants and animals. Techniques for
sampling organisms and collecting field data. Note: Field trips
are required. The College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-21 Mushrooms of the North Coast
(3 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU and UC Mushrooms,
their identification and ecology will be the focus of this course.
Emphasis is placed on keying species to genus and on field
identification of the more common toxic and edible species of
the North Coast.
BIOL-22 California Plant Identification
(3 units lecture/lab) Grade Only CSU and UC This is an
introduction to the field of plant taxonomy. Emphasis is
placed on keying species using A California Flora. Lecture
material covers introductory concepts in plant taxonomy
and characteristics of the common flowering plant families in
California. Lab time is spent learning sight identification of
families and keying out local plants. Note: Field trips are taken to
local wildflower areas. The College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-23 Lichens of Northern California
(2 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU A study of the common
lichens of Northern California. Students will collect and
identify lichens and become familiar with their morphology,
classification, physiology, biochemistry, ecology, and economic
uses.
BIOL-24 Introduction to Marine and Anadromous Fishes
(3 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU A detailed study of the
marine and anadromous fishes of the northern Pacific Ocean.
Topics covered include identification, biology, ecology, fisheries
history and management, and sampling and censusing
techniques. Note: This course includes field trips to various
marine and estuarine environments. The College does not provide
transportation.
BIOL-25 Marine and Coastal Field Biology
(3 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU A field-oriented
introduction to the interrelationships between marine and
estuarine organisms and their environment. Emphasis in this
course is placed on field methods, sampling techniques, and
quantitative data collection and analysis. Note: This course
includes field trips to various marine and coastal environments. The
College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-26 Introduction to Marine Plankton
(2 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU An introduction to the
identification, biology, ecology, and distribution of marine
phytoplankton and zooplankton. Laboratory and field
exercises will focus on sampling and analytical procedures and
identification techniques.
BIOL-27 Biology of Marine Mammals
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU An introduction to the
biology, natural history, evolution, anatomy, physiology,
behavior, and population ecology of marine mammals.
Whales, dolphins, porpoises, pinnipeds, sea otters, polar bears,
and sirenians will be discussed.
BIOL-35 Field Studies in Biology
(1 - 2 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option CSU Repeatable to a
maximum of four enrollments A field class designed to give the
student practical experience in field identification and field
study of the ecology and biology of California’s native species
in their native habitat. Note: This course involves an extended
field trip away from the campus. The College does not provide
transportation. Units offered may vary by semester. Consult Schedule
of Classes for section information.
BIOL-120E Intertidal Ecology
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option This course will discuss the
factors and principles involved in intertidal ecosystems. Local
intertidal habitats will be explored and the ecological role and
adaptive morphology of intertidal organisms will be discussed.
BIOL-120H Wildflowers of the Coniferous Forests
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option This short course introduces
students to the common wildflowers and other dominant
plants of the closed cone pine and redwood forests. The
biology and ecology of the species and the plant communities
in which they grow are discussed.
BIOL-120K Marine Mammals of the North Coast
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option This course will focus on
the evolution of mammals with particular emphasis on the
adaptations of mammals to the marine environment. The
identification and ecology of local marine mammal species will
be discussed.
BIOL-120L Bird Migration
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option This course will focus on
the remarkable phenomenon of bird migration. Discussion
topics will provide the information necessary to understand
observations made in the field.
BIOL-120M Introduction to Identification of North Coast Birds
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option This course will focus on
how to look at and identify local birds and where to find them.
Field observations will focus on the identification and ecology
of local bird species.
BIOL-120N Mammals of Northern California
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option This course will focus on the
evolution of land mammals with particular emphasis on the
variations and adaptations of different land mammals to their
environment. Methods of identifying, tracking and trapping
local land mammals for scientific study will be discussed.
BIOL-120O Mosses & Allies - North Coast
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option An introduction to
the
identification, morphology, anatomy, and ecology of mosses,
liverworts, and hornworts. Note: One field trip is required. The
College does not provide transportation.
BIOL-120P Marine Algae
(0.5 units lecture/lab) CR/NC option An introduction to the
identification, morphology, reproduction, and ecology of
marine intertidal algae of Northern California.
|