General Catalog 2009-2010

Programs and Courses

Biology

• General Information
• Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences - Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
• Course Descriptions

General Information

For Information: Philip Fernandez, Department Chair
Phone: 623.845.3909
Web site: http://www.gccaz.edu/biology

Student Goals: Career-related, General Education, Transfer

The primary focus of biology is the study of life. This includes all living organisms from the smallest bacterium to the largest and most complex plants and animals. The technological impact of the biological sciences on society and the increasing responsibility of the scientist to our society require that a basic knowledge of biology should become a part of everyone's education. Students take biology courses to:

• provide the needed background for careers in fields such as nursing, medicine, health, human services, nutrition, physical education, agriculture, or forestry. Nursing students, pursuing either the AAS degree or a university transfer program, must complete several prerequisite biology courses before applying for admission to the nursing program.
• prepare for a major in biology (or related field) at a four-year institution. Those individuals intending to transfer as biology majors should complete BIO181 and 182 at GCC. Other recommended courses include at least two semesters of CHM, two semesters of PHY, and at least one semester of Calculus. The particular courses selected will depend on the student’s background and the degree requirements of the transfer institution. It is recommended that those students planning to transfer to a public university in Arizona complete a minimum of the AGEC-S to facilitate transfer. Students should consult with an advisor and / or the catalog of the transfer institution to determine which AGEC (and/or Associates degree) best meets their needs.
• prepare for careers in the biotechnology industry and transfer to bachelor’s programs in the field of molecular biology.
• meet the General Education requirement in Natural Science. Most BIO courses meet this requirement for the AGEC and for the college’s associate degrees. BIO101, 102, 105, 107, 109, 145, and 160 are especially recommended for students not majoring in biology.

Transfer students should consult the catalog of the transfer institution for their general education requirements.

Students should consult with a department advisor in planning their academic schedule in order to complete degree requirements in an expedient manner. Required courses may not be available every semester or year. Due to limited course offerings, degree seeking students may find it necessary to extend completion time lines and attend both day and evening classes.

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Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences - Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
AAS 3034 / 61-63 credits

Program Description:

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences program will specifically train technicians to work in research and development, biomanufacturing, and the drug discovery and testing field of Biotechnology. The exposure to an academic environment that simulates the contemporary biotechnological workplace, inclusive of analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, will form a strong technical foundation sought by employers. The successful completion of the program will also provide the educational background for those wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical laboratory medicine, forensics or environmental testing laboratories.

(+) indicates course prerequisites.

BIO173    BIO175

Basic Instrumentation and Lab Math Research Methods in Biology

1 1

BIO156       BIO181 + BIO205 + BIO208 + BIO209 + BIO210	Introductory Biology for Allied Health (4) or General Biology for Majors (4) Microbiology Nucleic Acids Methods Biomolecular Separations Advanced Lab Instrumentation	4 4 3 3 3
Select 3 credit hours of Biology Seminar (BIO211AA and BIO211AB may each be repeated to apply toward Seminar credit total):
BIO211AA + BIO211AB + BIO211AE + BIO215 + CHM130 + CHM130LL + CHM151 + CHM151LL + CHM230 + CHM230LL + CHM260    CSC180 + CSC283	Biotechnology Seminar: Biomedical Applications (1) or Biotechnology Seminar: Laboratory Protocol (1) or Biotechnology Seminar: Business and Regulatory Issues (1) Biotechnology Internship (3) Two (2) semesters of internship are required. Fundamental Chemistry (3) and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory (1) or General Chemistry I (3) and General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) Fundamental Organic Chemistry (3) and Fundamental Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) Fundamental Biochemistry Computing for Scientists, Engineers            and Medical/Health Specialists (3) or Bioinformatics and Scientific Computing (3)	3 6 4 4 3 3

Core: (15-17 credits) First-Year Composition:			6 credits
+ + + + +	ENG101 ENG107 ENG111 ENG102 ENG108	First-Year Composition (3) or First-Year Composition for ESL (3) and Technical Writing (3) or First-Year Composition (3) or First-Year Composition for ESL (3)
Oral Communication:			3
+ +	COM100 COM225 COM230	IIntroduction to Human Communication (3) or Public Speaking (3) or Small Group Communication (3)
Critical Reading:			3
+	CRE101	Critical and Evaluative Reading I (3) or Exemption by testing
Mathematics:			3-5
+ + +	MAT120 MAT121 MAT122	Intermediate Algebra (5) or Intermediate Algebra (4) or Intermediate Algebra (3) or Higher level Mathematics course
Distribution: (6 credits) Humanities and Fine Arts:			3
	PHI213	Medical and Bio-Ethics
Social and Behavioral Sciences:			3
	Any approved course, see here.
Natural Sciences:			0
	Met by BIO181, CHM130 OR CHM151, and CHM230 in Required Courses area.

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Course Descriptions

Course Availability: (F) Fall, (S) Spring, (D) Day, (E) Evening, (Su1) Summer 1, (Su2) Summer 2, (O) Occasionally

Biology (BIO)

BIO101
General Biology (Non-Majors): Selected Topics / 4 credits / 6 periods
Selected biological topics, including methods used by biologists to make discoveries and evaluate scientific data. Field trips may be required at students’ expense. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)

BIO102
General Biology (Non-Majors): Additional Topics / 4 credits / 6 periods
Biological topics not covered in BIO101. Reviews methods used by biologists to make discoveries and evaluate scientific data. Field trips may be required at students' expense. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)

BIO105
Environmental Biology / 4 credits / 6 periods
Fundamentals of ecology and their relevance to human impact on natural ecosystems. Field trips may be required at students’ expense. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)

BIO107
Introduction to Biotechnology / 4 credits / 6 periods
Introduction to biotechnology and its global impact on society. Covers applications, laboratory techniques, limitations and the international economic benefits, risks, and legal and moral issues associated with biotechnology. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E)

BIO109
Natural History of the Southwest / 4 credits / 6 periods
Study of the common plants and animals of the Southwest including their distribution, adaptation, behavior, and ecology. Introduction to basic field and laboratory techniques used in the study of natural history. Specific field problems presented dealing with plant and animal analysis and ecological interrelationships. Prerequisites: None. (O)
Course Note: Field trips may be required.

BIO145
Marine Biology / 4 credits / 6 periods
A survey of marine environments and their biotic communities with emphasis on the natural history of marine organisms. Prerequisites: None. (O)

BIO149AK
Field Biology: Ecological and Environmental Field Experience / 1 credits / 7 periods
Field expeditions in which ecological and environmental principles and concepts are observed and studied. May be repeated for a total of four (4) credit hours. Prerequisites: None. (O)

BIO149AL
Field Biology: Ecological and Environmental Field Experience / 2 credits / 14 periods
Field expeditions in which ecological and environmental principles and concepts are observed and studied. May be repeated for a total of four (4) credit hours. Prerequisites: None. (O)

BIO156
Introductory Biology for Allied Health / 4 credits / 6 periods
An introductory biology course for allied health majors with an emphasis on humans. Topics include fundamental concepts of cell biology, histology, microbiology, and genetics. Prerequisites: None. One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college level chemistry recommended. (F,S,D,E,Su1,Su2)

BIO160
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology / 4 credits / 6 periods
Principles of scientific method. Structural organization, homeostasis and control mechanisms of the body. Specific chemistry concepts. Structure and function of the major systems of the body. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E,Su)

BIO173
Basic Instrumentation and Lab Math / 1 credit / 1 period
Introductory course covering basic equipment, measurements, and calculations used in biotechnology laboratories. Prerequisites: None. BIO156 or BIO181 recommended. (O)

BIO175
Research Methods in Biology / 1 credit / 2 periods
Fundamentals of planning and conducting biological experiments, including ones that simultaneously vary multiple experimental variables. Subsequent analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. Prerequisites: None. BIO156 or BIO181 recommended. (O)

BIO181
General Biology (Majors) I / 4 credits / 6 periods
Principles of structure and function of living things at molecular, cellular, and organismic levels of organization. Field trips may be required at students’ expense. Prerequisites: None. One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college-level chemistry is strongly recommended. (F,S,Su1,Su2,D,E)

BIO182
General Biology (Majors) II / 4 credits / 6 periods
Additional principles of structure and function of living things at molecular, cellular, and organismic and higher levels of organization. Field trips may be required at students' expense. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO181. (F,S,D,E)

BIO201
Human Anatomy and Physiology I / 4 credits / 6 periods
Study of structure and function of the human body. Topics include cells, tissues, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous system. Prerequisites: (BIO156 or BIO181 with a grade of "C" or better) or (one year high school biology course with a grade of "C" or better). (CHM130 or higher numbered CHM prefixed course) or (one year of high school chemistry) suggested but not required. (F,S,D,E,Su1,Su2,D)

BIO202
Human Anatomy and Physiology II / 4 credits / 6 periods
Continuation of structure and function of the human body. Topics include endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems; and fluid and electrolyte balance. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIO201. (F,S,D,E,Su1,Su2,D)

BIO205
Microbiology / 4 credits / 6 periods
Study of microorganisms and their relationship to health, ecology, and related fields. Prerequisites: (BIO156 or BIO181 with a grade of "C" or better) or (one year high school biology with a grade of "C" or better). (CHM130 or higher numbered CHM prefixed course) or (one year of high school chemistry) suggested but not required. (F,S,D,E,Su1,Su2)

BIO208
Nucleic Acid Methods / 3 credits / 6 periods
Intensive introduction to laboratory methods for the isolation, purification, manipulation analysis and quantification of nucleic acids. Prerequisites: [BIO156, or BIO181, and (BIO173 and BIO175)], or permission of instructor. (S)

BIO209
Biomolecular Separation / 3 credits / 6 periods
Introduction to industrial laboratory biotechnology with intensive focus on the recovery of heterologous proteins and other biomolecules from cultivated cells and the subsequent recovery, purification and characterization of these molecules.
Prerequisites: [BIO181, or BIO156, and (BIO173 and BIO175)], or permission of instructor. (F,S)

BIO210
Advanced Lab Instrumentation / 3 credits / 6 periods
Provides training in the principles, operation and interpretation of data from laboratory instrumentation. Prerequisites: BIO208, or BIO209, or permission of instructor. (F)

BIO211AA
Biotechnology Seminar: Biomedical Applications / 1 credit / 1 period
Special topics in biotechnology with an emphasis on current issues not covered in other life science courses. Prerequisites: None. (F)

BIO211AB
Biotechnology Seminar: Laboratory Protocol / 1 credit / 1 period
Special topics in biotechnology with an emphasis on current issues not covered in other life science courses. Prerequisites: BIO211AA or permission of instructor. (S)

BIO211AE
Biotechnology Seminar: Business and Regulatory Issues / 1 credit / 1 period
Selected topics in biotechnology with an emphasis on current issues not covered in other life science courses. Prerequisites: None. (S)

BIO215
Biology Internship / 3 credits / 3 periods
Internship experience in a biotechnology laboratory. Setting, achieving, and evaluating goals for hands-on learning experience in a biotechnology laboratory. Development of skills and knowledge needed to work in a biotechnology laboratory. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director and (BIO212AA, or BIO212BA, or BIO208, or BIO209).
Course Notes: BIO215 requires 240 clock hours in the laboratory setting.

BIO215
Biotechnology Internship / 3 credits / 3 periods
Internship experience in a biotechnology laboratory. Requires 240 clock hours in the laboratory setting. Setting, achieving, and evaluating goals for hands-on learning experience in a biotechnology laboratory. Development of skills and knowledge needed to work in a biotechnology laboratory. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director and (BIO212AA or BIO212BA).
Course Note: May be taken repeated for a total of six (6) credits.

BIO294
Scientific Diving / 3 credits / 4 periods
Theory and practice of underwater research using snorkel and self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA). Advanced diving skills, data acquisition and processing, and planning an underwater study. Prerequisites: PED102SU or equivalent (any certification card from a nationally recognized agency.) BIO145 or BIO181 recommended, but not required. (O)

BIO298
Special Projects / 1-3 credits
Organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student. Structured to provide an atmosphere of individualized research and study paralleled by professional expertise and guidance. Professional-type facilities and equipment available for student use. Allows the best aspects of independent study and individualized learning to be combined to maximize student development. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or instructor. (O)

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