Course descriptions for Biology

Emphasizes the life sciences using readings, hands-on activities and lab assignments to learn about the diversity of life forms on this planet, their evolutionary origins and relationships to one another; the structure of living cells and their functions (principles of biochemistry and cell biology); and cell cycles, reproduction, and evolution. This course is not open to first semester freshmen without instructor approval.

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.) (Credit/No Credit Available)

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. (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.)

Optional 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.

Lecture and lab course covers structure and function of major animal organ systems, with an emphasis on mammalian physiology. Offered as demand warrants

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 and spring semester.)

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.)

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.

Advanced project-based lab and lecture course develops skills and understanding of current techniques in eukaryotic genetics and molecular biology. Six hours lab and two hours lecture per week.

This course will cover medical services available to people in Monterey County. Students will discuss how class, ethnicity, language, and immigration status relate to health care access. Through service, journaling, readings, and panel discussions students will explore medical access issues and discuss the factors that lead to social injustice and inequity. Students will explore their own understanding for improving equality and access to medical care for all Monterey County residents.

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.

Upper division seminar course based on lectures from visiting faculty and biology professionals from Research 1 institutions, biotechnology, and other biology-related careers. Includes reading and critical analysis of peer reviewed literature, seminar and journal club discussion, and attendance in seminar series. May be repeated for credit up to three times.

Studies a particular topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.) (Credit/ No Credit Available)

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

Course explores the ecology of marine fishes and associated conservation and management efforts. Focuses upon fish distribution and the environmental drivers underlying that distribution in California and other locales. Students complete a semester-long project involving field sampling along the central coast using a suite of tools, including remotely operated vehicles, towed camera sleds, and SCUBA. Course project may be used as a course-based capstone project. (Cross listed with BIO 555)

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.

Assists students in completing their biology research capstone project.

Assists students enrolled in a capstone project course in preparing their final written report, poster, and/or oral presentation for their Senior Capstone Project. Students must enroll concurrently in an approved Biology Capstone Project Course.

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.) (Credit/ No Credit Available)

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).

Explores the ecology of marine fishes and associated conservation and management efforts. Focuses upon fish distribution and the environmental drivers underlying that distribution in California and other locales. Students will complete a semester-long project involving field sampling along the central coast using a suite of tools, including remotely operated vehicles, towed camera sleds, and SCUBA. Course project may be used as a course-based capstone project. (Cross listed with BIO 455)

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