LAVC BIOLOGY COURSES and PATHWAYS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Note: all courses and course numbers discussed refer only to those within the LACCD system.
If you want to check out your interest in Biology, we recommend that you take either our general Introduction to Biology (Biology 3) or Marine Biology (Biology 22). Both will give you an impressive overview of living organisms and an opportunity to begin acquiring essential laboratory skills. One word of caution, however; Biology 3 can serve as a prerequisite to Anatomy, whereas Biology 22 stands as a great course all on its own – in other words, it has no prerequisite status to other courses. We recommend considering taking Medical Terminology concurrently with or before taking Anatomy.
If you already know you want science classes, you are probably in one of two groups – you want to major in Biology, or you are interested in one of the many Allied Health Careers. Either way, the sometimes surprising information here is that you will soon need a chemistry class, and if you major in Biology, one math class (125) as well.
Seriously? Whatever for? Well, Biology is actually a multi-disciplinary approach to studying life. Many concepts can only be understood or worked with by using these other subjects.
For Allied Health Careers, the required Chemistry is Chemistry 51 or higher. If you have taken a higher course, make sure to see a counselor before trying to enroll in a class that has this as a prerequisite. The database that is used when you enroll will not be able to recognize that Chem 60 is higher than Chem 51 – only a counselor can configure the computer to recognize this. You can see a recommended course pathway for finishing prerequisites in the Biology Department for Nursing and Respiratory Therapy.
All those Chemistry options will serve as a prerequisite for our Microbiology and Physiology courses. Physiology has Biology 3 or Biology 6 and Anatomy as additional prerequisites to Chemistry. In all cases the term ‘prerequisite’ means having completed the previous course with a grade of C or better.
Biology majors need to complete Chemistry 101 before enrolling in General Biology I (Biology 6). Both courses serve as prerequisites to The Science of Biotechnology (Biology 40). And majors students also need to complete Intermediate Algebra (Math 125) before enrolling in General Biology II (Biology 7.) Good news, though – it is permitted to take Biology 7 before Biology 6 or both at the same time! Another consideration for students transferring to UCLA is taking Genetic Analysis (Biology 46.) You can see recommended course pathways for an AS degree in Biology or the more ambitious and comprehensive recommendations for a Biology transfer student to UCLA.
COURSES in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
Note: Not open for credit to students who have had Physiology 8 & 9.
Prerequisite: Biology 3 with a grade of C or better.
Recommended: Math 115 and English 28 or English as a Second Language 8, or placement into English 101.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
This course offers a detailed study of structure and systems of the human body. Laboratory work includes dissection of fresh and preserved mammalian organs, use of anatomical models and skeletal materials, and histology.
MAXIMUM UC CREDIT FOR ANY COMBINATION OF ANATOMY I, PHYSIOLOGY 1, 8 OR 9 IS 8 UNITS.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
(Not open for credit to students who have had Biology 6 or Biology 7.)
Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
This course for non-majors examines the fundamental principles of biology with laboratories emphasizing hands-on investigations. Topics include an introduction to evolutionary theory, basic biological chemistry, cell function and reproduction, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, classical and contemporary genetics, gene expression and an introduction to animal structure and function. Meets UC/CSU GE requirement of natural science with a lab. Field Trips are included in lab activities, typically scheduled during class hours.
MAXIMUM UC CREDIT FOR COMBINATION OF BIOL 3 AND 25 IS ONE COURSE. NO UC CREDIT FOR BIO 3 OR 25 IF TAKEN AFTER BIO 6 OR 7.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
(Not open for credit to students who have had Biology 6 or Biology 7.)
Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
This course includes basic biological principles as they apply to humans. The course will provide a foundation for advances courses in Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. Topics include chemical principles, the cell, heredity, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pathology, ecology, and bioethics. Meets UC/CSU GE requirement of natural science with a lab. Field Trips are included in lab activities, typically scheduled during class hours.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
(Biology 7 may be taken before Biology 6.)
Prerequisite: Chem 101, and Math 125 with grades of C or better.
Note: UCLA and CSUN recommend the completion of both Biology 6 and Biology 7.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 6 hours.
This is a general biology course designed for life science and many pre-health majors. It examines basic cellular biology, metabolism, genetics, molecular biology, and the relationship between form and function of living organisms. Note: Some 4-year institutions prefer that Biology 6 and 7 be taken at the same college.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
(Biology 7 may be taken before Biology 6.)
Prerequisite: Math 125 with a grade of C or better.
Note: UCLA and CSUN recommend the completion of both Biology 6 and Biology 7.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 6 hours.
This is a general biology course designed for life science and many pre-health majors. It examines the unifying principles of biology through the study of phylogeny, taxonomy, organismal structure/function, evolution, and ecology. Note: Some 4-year institutions prefer that Biology 6 and 7 be taken at the same college.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
This class emphasizes the investigation of marine plants and animals. Intertidal, subtidal and offshore marine habitats are studied. The effect of human impact on marine environment will be reviewed. Field trips to Southern California marine habitats will be offered. (Credit may not be awarded for both Biology 22 and Oceanography 2).
Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
Develops a comprehensive medical vocabulary applicable to all specialties of medicine, through the learning of Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes, root words and combining forms. Training in the spelling, pronunciation and definitions of medical terms is provided, as well as the use of a medical dictionary.
GE Certification B2
Prerequisite: Biology 6 and Chem 101 with grades of C or better.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
This is a comprehensive introduction to the science of biotechnology. The course presents theory and offers hands-on laboratory experience. Representative techniques presented in this course include: DNA purification, bacterial transformation, DNA gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, protein purification, SDS-PAGE and western blot. This is an advanced class intended for Biology majors. $20.00 Lab Fee to be paid with registration.
Prerequisite: Biology 6 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 3 hours.
This course is designed to cover Mendelian genetics, chromosome analysis, and genomics. This class will examine the experimental approach to genetic analysis by introducing key concepts as well as solving experimental problems.
Prerequisite: None.
Conference, 1 hour per unit.
This class allows for students to pursue a directed study in Biology on a contract basis under the direction of a supervising instructor. Depending upon the project various formats are utilized to introduce students to the methods used by scientists to study topics in the biological sciences. This class will emphasize the development of problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Credit limit: A maximum of 3 units per subject in Directed Study may be taken for credit.
UC CREDIT FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY/ DIRECTED STUDY COURSES NUMBERED 185, 285, AND 385 IN ANY DEPARTMENT IS NOT AUTOMATIC; CREDIT IS CONTINGENT ON UC CAMPUS EVALUATION AFTER APPLICATION AND ADMISSION. THESE UNITS SHOULD NOT BE USED TOWARD CALCULATION OF THE MINIMUM 60 UNITS NEEDED FOR ADMISSION TO THE UC.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
Prerequisite: Chem 51 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
This class is an introduction to principles of microbiology, with emphasis on clinical microbiology for the allied health sciences, including the chemistry, biology, taxonomy, and genetics of pathogenic microorganis Principles of pathology and interactions of pathogenic microorganisms with the host are presented by examining infectious diseases of major organ syste Laboratory exercises develop skills and strategies employed in the clinical microbiology laboratory. $15 dollar lab fee to be paid with registration.
MICRO 1 COMBINED WITH MICRO 20, MAXIMUM UC CREDIT IS ONE COURSE.
IGETC Area 5B/5C GE Certification B2
Note: Not open for credit to students who have had Physiology 8 and 9.
Prerequisite: Anatomy 1 and Biology 3,or Biology 6 and Chem 51, or Chem 60, or Chem 68, or Micro 20 with grades of C or better.
Recommended: English 28, English as a Second Language 363, or placement into English 101, and Math 114, 115, or placement into Math 125.
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.
This course examines the function of cells, tissues, and organs of these human systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic/immune, and reproductive. Laboratory activities explore major physiological principles.
MAXIMUM UC CREDIT FOR ANY COMBINATION OF ANATOMY 1, PHYSIOLOGY 1, 8 OR 9 IS 8 UNITS.