Course descriptions for Biology

Surveys life science topics, including structure of living cells and their function (cell biology and physiology); life cycle, reproduction and evolution (genetics and evolution); and living and nonliving components in environments (ecology). For non-science majors, particularly Liberal Studies majors. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Examines the evolutionary and ecological relationships of organisms with their environment, as well as the breadth of biological diversity. Required for all Biology majors. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Required lab course for BIO 240. Focuses on doing scientific experiments and writing in the scientific style. Lab course fee may be charged. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Introduces structure and function of biological molecules, cellular and molecular biology, cell metabolism including respiration and photosynthesis, principles of genetics, immunity, biotechnology, and genomics. Required for all Biology majors. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Laboratory course for BIO 241. Enrollment in or completion of BIO 241 necessary to take lab. BIO 241L encouraged because of writing element. Lab course fee may be charged.

Provides an introduction to the relationship between form and function in plants and animals. Covers comparative anatomy, physiology, and development of different plant and animal structures and organ systems. Required for all Biology majors. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Required lab course for BIO 242. Lab course fee may be charged. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Studies a particular topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Develops library research, writing, oral and critical analysis skills needed to link science to ethics in biology. Covers current issues that involve biology, ethics and society. Students develop a learning plan that integrates their Biology concentration, capstone and internship interests, and personal and professional goals. (Offered spring semester.)

Focuses on the methodology of science appropriate to K-12 education. Familiarizes future teachers with observing, questioning, testing, and interpreting by using the neighborhood as a laboratory. Engages in problem-solving activities and the design of experiments children will understand. Uses current technology to develop bicultural/bilingual instructional materials. Requires successful completion of coursework that satisfies the Science ULR, Part 2: Science Content. (Offered as demand warrants.)

Required lab course for BIO 305. (Offered as demand warrants.)

Covers biomolecular structure and function, biological oxidation and reduction, metabolism including respiration and photosynthesis, membrane transport, and biotransformation. (Offered spring semester.)

Required lab course for BIO 310. Lab course fee may be charged. (Offered spring semester.)

Applies the principles of Mendelian inheritance and the chromosomal basis of heredity in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Covers recombination, biochemical genetics, mutation, DNA, genetic code, gene regulation, genes in populations. Introduces the molecular genetics of four systems: bacteria, yeast, Drosophila, and mouse/humans. (Offered fall semester.)

Introduces the biology of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae, fungi), their significance as model systems for understanding fundamental cellular processes, and their role in human affairs. Also introduces the biological properties of bacterial and animal viruses, replication, methods of detection, interactions with host cells and multicellular hosts.

Required lab course for BIO 320. Covers general laboratory techniques and theory in microbiology including isolation and identification of bacterial species from nature, Koch's Postulates, transformation of Escherichia coli, Ames test, analysis of auxotrophic mutants. Lab course fee may be charged.

Introduces ecological concepts and theory by exploring the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Monterey Bay. A systems approach teaches how organisms interact with one another and with the natural world around them. Emphasizes population, community, and ecosystem level ecology. (Offered fall and spring semesters.)

Emphasizes mechanisms and models of population genetics and evolutionary biology, including allelic frequency, genetic drift, adaptation and fitness, microevolutionary and macroevolutionary change, speciation, and the history of life. (Offered when demand warrants.)

Surveys terrestrial ecosystems across California. Emphasizes the biotic and abiotic factors that determine the extents of these ecosystems. Plant identification and distribution in ecosystems of the Monterey Bay area. May include one or more weekend field trips. (Offered spring semester of even years.)

Laboratory course covering techniques for prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA purification, amplification, subcloning, and sequence analysis, used in the context of providing earth systems information. Additional knowledge and skills acquired include microbial cell culture, primer design, proposal writing. Lab course fee may be charged. (Offered spring semester of odd years.) (Formerly known as BIO 444L)

Focuses on the living organisms found in marine habitats. Examines the physical, biological, and evolutionary factors influencing the organisms in the many diverse marine habitats on earth. Introduces marine research topics and environmental issues by exploring the natural history of local marine habitats. (Offered fall semester.)

Laboratory course for BIO 345. Lab course fee may be charged.

Explores current topics and careers working with marine mammals. Topics include practical knowledge of captive marine mammal husbandry (care and maintenance), training, basic physiology, an overview of common research topics and techniques, as well as public display, education, and current issues in marine mammalogy. Students intern at least one day at Moss Landing Marine Labs assisting in the care of research-trained California sea lions. Fee charged for course materials. (Offered summer semester through Extended Education.)

Explores current topics and careers working with marine mammals. Topics include practical knowledge of captive marine mammal husbandry (care and maintenance), training, basic physiology, an overview of common research topics and techniques, as well as public display, education, and current issues in marine mammalogy. Students intern at least one day at Moss Landing Marine Labs assisting in the care of research-trained California sea lions. Fee charged for course materials. (Offered summer semester through Extended Education.)

Explores the field of animal training from a psychological and a technical perspective. Provides a theoretical background in relevant animal behavior and psychological principles related to the practical goal of modifying captive animal behavior. Topics include the history and ethics of animal use and training, and practical animal training techniques. Students intern at least one day at Moss Landing Marine Labs assisting in the care and training of research-trained sea lions. Fee charged for course materials. (Offered summer semester through Extended Education.)

Explores the field of animal training from a psychological and a technical perspective. Provides a theoretical background in relevant animal behavior and psychological principles related to the practical goal of modifying captive animal behavior. Topics include the history and ethics of animal use and training, and practical animal training techniques. Students intern at least one day at Moss Landing Marine Labs assisting in the care and training of research-trained sea lions. Fee charged for course materials. (Offered summer semester through Extended Education.)

Students learn about classification, field identification, habitats, behaviors, protection status, and methods used to study common or otherwise noteworthy mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish of central California.

Covers emerging issues in health worldwide and local implications of these developments. Explores issues of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds and their role in access to health care information and services. Service learning placements in health services organizations help students understand course material.

Addresses strategies for supporting equitable educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their cultural, linguistic, or economic background. Service learning placements in schools help students deepen their understanding of basic biology principles and methodologies for facilitating learning by diverse students.

Studies a particular topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Introduces the major biological databases with a focus on the human genome project. Uses a variety of computational tools for database access and data analysis. Students understand the principles of phylogenetics, proteomics, genomics and metabolomics.

Cell structure, membrane transport, cell division, molecular genetics, recombinant DNA, mechanisms of evolution, and the basis of classification. Applies fundamental principles and experimental approaches in four areas of cell biology: cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, intracellular protein transport, and structure and function of cytoskeleton, including cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. Explores recent advances in the fields of molecular and cell biology. (Formerly known as BIO 314)

Advanced survey of the biology of invertebrates, stressing comparative functional morphology, evolution, phylogeny, systematics, natural history, behavior, and aspects of physiology and development. Emphasizes the living animal and its habitat.

In-depth exploration of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, including aquatic organisms and their taxonomy, and the ecology, geochemistry, and sediments of freshwater ecosystems. Will include weekend or odd-hour field trips with concurrent field/laboratory section. (Offered spring semester of odd years.)

Introduces the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a standard microbial model for studying eukaryotic gene expression and cell biology. Students work on instructor-supervised projects focusing on yeast genetics and molecular biology in such areas as the yeast life cycle, mutant isolation, tetrad analysis, transformation, the control of gene expression with galactose regulation and mating-type control.

Uses taxonomy and systematics of higher plants of California with a focus on morphology, development, and other characteristics to classify plants.

Assists students in completing the Capstone project developed in previous or concurrent course, including a written Capstone report and an oral presentation to BIO faculty and students. Requires prior completion of three upper-division BIO courses with grades of C or above.

Students work with practicing professionals in the community in a volunteer or paid internship that requires biology knowledge and skills. Academic credit is awarded for documented learning that takes place during the internship and that meets individualized and core internship outcomes.

Studies a particular topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Student and faculty member select topic of study and number of credits. (Offered as interest warrants.)

Designed to mimic the research cycle in a typical molecular biology laboratory. Students isolate DNA from marine organisms, amplify specific regions, subclone, and purify plasmid DNA. Bioinformatic techniques are used to analyze sequenced regions, including homology searches, multiple alignments, primer design, and 3D comparison. Assessment consists of a lab notebook review, a final exam, and a detailed standards-based lesson plan. (Offered summer session through Extended Education.)

Required lab course for BIO 541. Lab course fee may be charged.

Graduate-level lecture course designed for an in-depth exploration of aquatic and wetland ecosystems. Learning activities include lectures on the major patterns and processes influence various aquatic systems, i.e. streams, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries; a literature review on one particular aquatic ecosystem; and oral presentation to the class about the system. Concurrent enrollment in the field/laboratory section is required. (Offered spring semester, during odd years).

Studies a particular topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)