Biology Courses

BIO 110 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY 

lecture course syllabus (pdf format)
3 credits, 3 hrs. lecture
Pre/Corequisite: Pre-requisite:MAT 010 (formerly MAT 1604) and Eng 091 (formerly ENG 1301) or ESL 091 (formerly ESL1301).
Co-requisite: BIO111 Principles of Biology laboratory 
This course is designed to give students an overview of the principles of biology that apply to living organisms. Topics examined will include the structure and function of the cell, diffusion and osmosis, types of plant and animal tissues, molecular biology, and animal reproduction and development. The laboratory illustrates the concepts discussed in the lecture. This course is for non-science major students. Offered in Spanish and English.
BIO 111 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY (laboratory)

lab course syllabus (pdf format)
1 credits, 2 hrs. lab
Pre/Corequisite: Pre-requisite:MAT 010 (formerly MAT 1604) and Eng 091 (formerly ENG 1301) or ESL 091 (formerly ESL1301).
Co-requisite: BIO110 Principles of Biology lecture
This course is designed to give students an overview of the principles of biology that apply to living organisms. Topics examined will include the structure and function of the cell, diffusion and osmosis, types of plant and animal tissues, molecular biology, and animal reproduction and development. The laboratory illustrates the concepts discussed in the lecture. This course is for non-science major students. Offered in Spanish and English.
BIO 120

ORGANISMIC BIOLOGY (lecture)

course syllabus (pdf format)

3 credits, 3 hrs. lecture
Prerequisite: BIO 110
Pre/Corequisites: if taught in English: ESL 91 or ENG 91
Pre/Corequisites: if taught in Spanish: SPA 222
Lecture topics include the theory of evolution by natural selection, the evolution and diversity of organisms and their classification into the five kingdoms. Students will learn the main morphological features of each group as well as animal digestion, endocrine system, circulation, immunity, nervous system l and basic concepts of ecology. This course is for non-science major students.
BIO 121

ORGANISMIC BIOLOGY (laboratory)

course syllabus (pdf format)

1 credit, 3 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: BIO 110, BIO 111
Laboratory topics include the theory of evolution by natural selection, the evolution and diversity of organisms and their classification into the five kingdoms. Students will learn the main morphological features of each group as well as animal digestion, endocrine system, circulation, immunity, nervous system and basic concepts of ecology. The laboratory illustrates the concepts discussed in the lecture. This course is for non-science major students. 
BIO 130

PLANTS ANS SOCIETY

course syllabus (pdf format)
3 credits, 3 hrs. lecture
Prerequisite: BIO 110
Co-requisites if taught in English: ESL 91 or ENG 91. If taught in Spanish: SPA 222 Offered in English and in Spanish.
This course introduces students to the world of plants and their vital role in human life. Students will learn about plant morphology, how plants reproduce, and how they obtain energy in order to survive. The course emphasizes the role of plants in human society as sources of food, medicine, fiber, and fuel; it provides a critical review of science, technology, and the environment, in relation to plant domestication and current world food, medicine and fiber production. Social implications associated with biological and technical aspects of crop production in modern society will be studied in this class, too. Students will find many opportunities for enrichment on topics that relate plants to historical developments and environmental issues, and will have an opportunity to learn how personal choices impact global vegetation resources.
BIO 140

Human Biology I (lecture)

3 credits, 3 hrs. lecture
Prerequisite: MAT 10 or higher & ESL 91/93 or ENG 91/93 or higher & for Spanish Section SPA 121 or higher.
Co-requisites: BIO 141
This course is the first of two parts of the Human Biology course. This course is for non-STEM major students. The course provides a survey of human anatomy and physiology, exploring the molecules of life in the formation of cells, tissues and the body systems, with emphasis on both the physiological mechanisms in health and disease, as well as concepts and current issues in human biology. Offered in Spanish and English.
BIO 141

Human Biology I (laboratory)

1 credit, 2 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: MAT 10 or higher & ESL 91/93 or ENG 91/93 or higher & for Spanish Section SPA 121 or higher.
Co-requisites: BIO 140
This course is the first of two parts of the Human Biology course. This course is for non-STEM major students. The course provides a survey of human anatomy and physiology, exploring the molecules of life in the formation of cells, tissues and the body systems, with emphasis on both the physiological mechanisms in health and disease, as well as concepts and current issues in human biology. The laboratory illustrates the concepts discussed in the lecture. Offered in Spanish and English.
BIO 150

Human Biology II (lecture)

3 credits, 3 hrs. lecture
Prerequisite: BIO 140 and BIO 141
Co-requisites: BIO 151
This course is the second of two parts of the Human Biology course. This course is for non-STEM major students. Using a topic approach, the course focuses on the biological principles of nutrition, mechanism of the body’s defense, genetics, cellular interactions that comprise our current understanding of the human organism and environmental issues.
BIO 151

Human Biology II (laboratory)

1 credit, 3 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: BIO 140 and BIO 141
Co-requisites: BIO 150
This course is the second of two parts of the Human Biology course. This course is for non-STEM major students. Using a topic approach, the course focuses on the biological principles of nutrition, mechanism of the body’s defense, genetics, cellular interactions that comp rise our current understanding of the human organism and environmental issues. The laboratory illustrates the concepts discussed in the lecture.
BIO 210 GENERAL BIOLOGY I 

course syllabus (pdf format)
4 credits, 3 hrs. lecture/3 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: ESL 91 or ENG 91; MAT 20 or Exempt
This course, the first of two courses in biological science is intended for students preparing for careers in science. Lecture topics include basic properties of living organisms, metabolism, energy transformation, cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics and gene expression. Offered in English.
BIO 220 GENERAL BIOLOGY II (Formerly BIO 3904)

course syllabus (pdf format)
4 credits, 3 hrs. lecture/3 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: BIO 210
This is the second part of two courses in biological science intended for students preparing for careers in science. Lecture topics include the theory of evolution by natural selection, the evolution and diversity of organisms and their classification into five kingdoms. The students will learn about animal nutrition, circulation, gas exchange, homeostasis, immunity, nervous control, reproduction and development and ecology. Offered in English.
BIO 230

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I 

course syllabus (pdf format)

4 credits, 3 hrs. lecture/3 hrs. lab
Corequisite: ENG 91, ESL 91 or ESL 35; MAT 20
The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic chemistry, body fluids, and the structure and function of the cell. The student will also list and describe the four kinds of animal tissue; list major bones and their function; and describe structure and function of the muscular and circulatory systems. Offered in English only.
BIO 240 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II 

course syllabus (pdf format)
4 credits, 3 hrs. lecture/3 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: BIO 230
The student will study and describe the structure and function of the urinary, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems. Offered in English only.
BIO 250 BOTANY OF FOOD

course syllabus (pdf format)
4 credits, 6 hours (3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab)
Prerequisite: BIO210 and/or CHE210
The course is designed to introduce students to the world of plants and their importance for humanity. Topics include botanical classification, morphology, anatomy, physiology, reproduction and phytogeography of plants commonly known and commercialized. It emphasizes plants as sources of food and medicine, as well as their history of domestication, nutritional value, propagation and cultivation. Urban repositories of botanical knowledge (botanical gardens, community gardens, rooftop gardens, vertical gardens, and hydroponic gardens) are discussed as novel adaptations to life in urban settings. Social implications associated with contemporary crop production, cultural traditions and personal choices are also analyzed.
BIO 260 INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS 4 credits; 2 hrs. lecture/4 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: BIO 220
Corequisite: MAT 160
This course focuses on topics from Mendelian, molecular and population genetics; including concepts of inheritance, history of genetics, molecular genetics using the DNA organization, chromosome structure, genes, alleles and the transmission of genetic information, and the use of genetic techniques in ecological/conservation programs Laboratory work includes experiments in Mendelian genetics using plants and animals and the study of chromosome material in bacteria.
BIO 270

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY

course syllabus (pdf format)

4 credits, 6 hrs. (3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs lab)
Prerequisite: BI0 210 and/or CHE 210
This course is designed to introduce students to general principles of microbiology with an emphasis on structure, function and growth control of microorganisms important in food processing, food spoilage, and in causing food-borne illnesses. General microbiology topics covered in this course include structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, metabolism, growth of bacterial culture, pathogenic properties of microorganisms, and interaction between microbe and host. Food microbiology topics covered in this course include lactic acid bacteria and theirfermentation products, spoilage microorganisms and control of their growth in food, food borne pathogenic bacteria and control of their growth in food, and methods of identification and quantification of microorganisms in food..
BIO 299 INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN BIOLOGY 3 credits, 3 hours
Prerequisite: BIO 220 and CHE 220 with a minimum grade of B
This course is designed to help students study particular topics of interest in the biological sciences while developing advanced research skills fundamental in planning and carrying out an independent scientific research project. Students will conduct laboratory, field research or library research using sophisticated methodology equipment and techniques to obtain and analyze data. The research findings will be presented using oral and written papers.
BIO 310

MICROBIOLOGY (Formerly BIO 3912)

course syllabus (pdf format)

4 credits, 3 hrs. lecture/3 hrs. lab
Prerequisite: BIO 220 or 240
The student will study and describe terms related to the following aspects of microbiology: history, methods of studying and cultivation, reproduction and growth, metabolism, genetics, and control. The student will also study the following topics: pathogens, resistance and immunity, bacteria, rickettsia, chlamydia, viruses, parasitology, mycology, and epidemiology. Offered in English only.

Courses identified with an asterisk (*) will be offered when there is sufficient demand.