BIOL 101 General Biology

General Biology 101 is a general education course, open to all students, and is designed to provide an introduction to concepts and principles of modern biology. Topics covered will include cell structure and function, energy relationships, genetic control mechanisms, concepts of evolution, biological diversity, and ecosystem function. The laboratory component of the course emphasizes the application of the scientific method as a tool to understanding living systems.

BIOL 105 Human Biology

This course will provide an introduction to the basic principles, structures, functions and biological processes of the human body. This lecture only course will emphasize a scientific viewpoint of the workings of the human body and its interactions with the environment as well as the necessary practices needed to promote a healthy body. The course’s target audience are those students pursuing a liberal arts education who are interested in furthering their own knowledge of human biology.

BIOL 111 Marine Biology

This course is designed to give the student a better understanding of the basic principles of Marine Biology and fulfills the general education lecture requirement for the life sciences. Emphasis is placed on how the scientific method is used to investigate the chemical, physical, and geological properties of the marine environment. Students will learn to distinguish among the diverse organisms and habitats that comprise the ocean’s ecosystems. An introduction to the structure and function of marine ecosystems is provided and the impact of human activity on those systems will be addressed.

BIOL 111L Marine Biology Laboratory

This laboratory course complements the Marine Biology lecture course and is designed for the student interested in furthering their understanding of the marine environment and its organisms, with emphasis on marine life of the local coasts. The scientific method will be employed to investigate the chemical and physical properties of seawater, the role of pigments in marine algae, the behavior of marine organisms, the basic classification and morphology of marine producers, invertebrates and vertebrates, and adaptations of organ- isms to specific habitats. Students ill use basic laboratory equipment and techniques in both classroom and field-based investigations. Field trips to coastal marine habitats and public aquaria are conducted.

BIOL 112 Outdoor Biology

This course is intended for the student who has an interest in the natural world and the ecological relationships of the organisms found within it. The course emphasizes the natural habitats of Southern California and the plants and animals associated with them. Also discussed is the impact human beings have had upon these natural habitats. Field work utilizes the Rio Hondo College Wildlife Sanctuary which allows students to gather original data through firsthand observation and experience. Several additional more distant trips requiring driving explore some of the variety of natural habitats in Southern California.

BIOL 120 Environmental Biology

Utilizing basic biological concepts, an interdisciplinary approach is used to address environmental challenges. Topics addressed may include ecosystem characteristics and functions, population dynamics, energy and material resource use, pollution, and alternative energy sources. Students in many disciplines will benefit from this course as the social, political, and economic implications of environmental decisions are addressed. This course fulfills the general education requirement in life sciences.

BIOL 120L Environmental Biology Laboratory

This laboratory course compliments the Environmental Biology lecture course and is designed for students interested in furthering their understanding of the environmental sciences. The scientific method will be employed to investigate ecosystems and their functions, natural selection, population interactions, environmental toxicology, radiation exposure effects, soil and groundwater systems, water pollution, alternative energy systems, and environmental resistance.