Biology Course Descriptions

BIOL - 100. The Science of Life (4)

A survey of selected biological concepts, including the chemical basis of life, cell structure, organismal physiology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. This course should provide the non-biologist with a working knowledge of life science that will be useful in making informed decisions on health and the environment. Two lectures and one laboratory weekly. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 102. California Ecology (4)

A course for non-majors emphasizing the principles and concepts of ecology and evolution as illustrated by California plants and animals. Two lectures and one laboratory weekly. Required Saturday field trips will replace some weekday lab sessions. Offered every Spring. Cross Listed With: ENVA - 102

BIOL - 103. Human Biology (4)

A course for non-majors surveying the major systems of the human body and introducing concepts of human health and disease. Two lectures and one laboratory weekly. Offered every spring.

BIOL - 105. General Biology I (4)

Introduction to the principles and concepts of biology with emphasis on molecular biology and cell physiology. Three hours lecture and one laboratory session each week. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 106. General Biology II (4)

Introduction to the principles and concepts of biology with emphasis on biological diversity, organismal biology and ecology. Three hours lecture and one laboratory session each week. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 108. Biology of Human Aging (3)

A course for non-majors surveying basic human biology, biological theories of aging, aging-related changes in physiological and anatomical systems, and medical conditions associated with aging. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every other Spring.

BIOL - 109. Laboratory in Biology of Human Aging (1)

Laboratory exercises illustrating and examining topics covered in lecture. One laboratory session per week. Offered every other Spring.

BIOL - 113. Human Anatomy (3)

Corequisite: BIOL - 114. A survey of the structure of the tissues and organs in the human. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall and Spring. Intended for Nursing, Exercise and Sport Science students and related fields. Does not satisfy Biology major requirements. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 114. Laboratory in Human Anatomy (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 113. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 115. Survey of Human Physiology (3)

Corequisite: BIOL - 116. Survey of the functions of tissues, organs and organ systems in the human with an emphasis on the mechanisms involved. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall and Spring. Intended for Nursing, Exercise and Sport Science students and related fields. Does not satisfy Biology major requirements. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 116. Laboratory in Survey of Human Physiology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 115. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 134. Microbiology (3)

Corequisite: BIOL - 135. An elementary study of bacteria and other microorganisms causing disease and immunity. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall and Spring. Intended for Nursing, Exercise and Sport Science students and related fields. Does not satisfy Biology major requirements. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 135. Laboratory in Microbiology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 134. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 212. Cell Physiology (4)

Prerequisites: BIOL - 105 with a minimum grade of C-; and BIOL - 106 with a minimum grade of C-; Pre- or corequisite (completion with minumum grade of C-: CHEM - 236 or CHEM - 230. Study of cellular activities, with emphasis on the fundamental relationships between structure and function at the cellular and molecular levels. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 310. Genetics (4)

Prerequisites: BIOL - 212 with a minumum grade of C; CHEM - 230 with a minimum grade of C-; or CHEM - 236 with a minimum grade of C-. Basic principles of Medelian and molecular genetics covering both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Three hours lecture and on hour recitation each week. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 319. Ecology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. The principles of the structure and function of ecosystems and types of data/analyses utilized in order to study, e.g., energy flow, biogeochemical cycling, and population dynamics. Four hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 320. Human Physiology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 321 . Survey of the function of the tissues, organs and organ systems in the human, with an emphasis on the mechanisms involved. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 321. Laboratory in Human Physiology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 320. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 330. Female Biology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Focuses on topics specific to females, including health issues, reproduction, genetics, evolution, sexuality, anatomy, physiology, neurobiology and behavior. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every other Fall.

BIOL - 331. Herpetology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 332. A study of the reptiles and amphibians of North America, with an emphasis placed on northern California species. Three lecture hours each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 332. Herpetology Lab (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 331. One laboratory session or field trip each week. (May be some weekend field trips). Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 333. Endocrinology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 334. A study of basic endocrine function, hormonal mechanisms, endocrine disorders, and contemporary issues in endocrinology. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 334. Laboratory in Endocrinology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 333. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 340. Animal Toxicology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Mechanisms of uptake, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity of selected chemicals in animals. Emphasis will be on toxicity to cells and organ systems. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 341. Medical Microbiology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 342 . An introduction to microbiology and survey of microbial pathogens, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and host responses. The emphasis is on microbes that cause disease in humans. Three hours of lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 342. Laboratory in Medical Microbiology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 341. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 345. Virology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Structure, replication, and genetics of viruses with emphasis on viruses that infect vertebrates and dynamics of host-virus interactions. Four hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 346. General Microbiology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 347. An introduction to microorganisms: structure, metabolism, and biological properties. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 347. Laboratory in General Microbiology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 346. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 350. Comparative Animal Physiology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Animal physiology, from invertebrates to mammals, emphasizing basic physiological principles. Four hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 359. Plant Physiology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. A study of plant growth and development, metabolism, nutrition, and response to the environment. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 362. Histology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 363 . A study of the microscopic anatomy of cells, tissues, and organs of the human body. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 363. Laboratory in Histology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 362. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 365. Human Anatomy (2)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 366 . A survey of the structure of the tissues and organs in the human. Two hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 366. Laboratory in Human Anatomy (2)

Corequisite: BIOL - 365. Two laboratory sessions each week.

BIOL - 368. Neurobiology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: . A study of basic neural function, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, disorders of the nervous system, and contemporary issues in neurobiology. Four hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 370. Biology of Cancer (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. An introduction to cancer biology, including molecular mechanisms for cancer initiation and progression, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and contemporary issues related to cancer. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 379. Conservation Biology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 380 . A study of conservation biology, examining ecological methods for monitoring and maintaining biodiversity on the planet. Three lecture hours and one laboratory session each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 380. Conservation Biology Lab (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 379. One laboratory session or field trip each week. Some weekend trips are required.

BIOL - 381. California Wildlife (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 382 . A study of the natural history, phylogeny and ecology of the vertebrates, especially California species. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 382. Laboratory in California Wildlife (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 381. One laboratory session or field trip each week. (This class may be scheduled on Saturdays.)

BIOL - 385. General Parasitology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 386. A study of the major protistan and helminth parasites causing disease in animals and humans. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 386. Laboratory in Parasitology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 385. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 390. Marine Biology (2)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 391 . A study of the natural history of marine organisms, exclusive of protozoa and insects, with emphasis on local intertidal invertebrates and fishes. Two hours lecture each week. (May be scheduled on Saturdays.) Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 391. Laboratory in Marine Biology (2)

Corequisite: BIOL - 390. Two laboratory sessions or field trips each week. (May be scheduled on Saturdays. Some weekend trips are required.)

BIOL - 392. Oceanography (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 393 . An introduction to the major physical, chemical and biological factors in the marine environment. Special emphasis on the interaction of these variables in determining the ecology of the world's oceans. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 393. Laboratory in Oceanography (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 392. One laboratory session or field trip each week. (May be some weekend field trips.) Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 395. Special Topics in Biology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. This course treats topics not covered in other Biology courses, but of interest to faculty and students. May be repeated for credit. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 398. Readings for Advanced Undergraduates (1-4)

Prerequisite: Minimum science GPA of 3.0 and consent of instructor and department chair. Inquiry into a specific topic requiring a literature search for current information, supervised by a faculty member with credit to be fixed in each case. Designed for outstanding upper-division students. (Note: There are restrictions on the maximum number of credits for 0201-398 that can be applied to upper division credit. See 0201-498). Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 405. Molecular Genetics (4)

Prerequisites: BIOL - 105 and BIOL - 106 with minimum grades of C- in each; BIOL - 212 with minimum grade of C; CHEM - 230 with minimum grade of C-, or CHEM - 236 with minimum grade of C-; BIOL - 310 with minimum grade of C. A study of the field of pharmacogenomics, which examines the genetic influence of drug responses in humans. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every other Fall.

BIOL - 414. Evolution (4)

Prerequisites: Senior Standing; Minimum GPA of C- BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. A study of modern evolutionary theory, including processes and patterns of evolution. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall and Spring.

BIOL - 420. Molecular Biology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Advanced study of the molecular basis of cell function, with an emphasis on the unifying principles and approaches that define the field of molecular biology. Four hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 443. Immunology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 444. Introduction to humoral and cell-mediated immunity in health and disease, with a focus on cellular and molecular immunology and immunochemistry. Three hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 444. Laboratory in Immunology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 443. Principles of immunological techniques. A survey of those techniques used widely in diagnostics and research. One laboratory session each week.

BIOL - 457. Cell Biology and Ultrastructure (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. The study of different techniques and microscopies used to produce biological informational images with special emphasis on animal, plant, bacterial and viral ultrastructure. Four hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 458. Techniques in Light and Electron Microscopy (2)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 459. Theory of light and electron microscope operation and preparation of biological specimens for microscopy. Two hours of lecture. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 459. Techniques in Light and Electron Microscopy Lab (2)

Corequisite: BIOL - 458. Preparation of biological specimens for light and electron microscopy. Two laboratory sessions each week.

BIOL - 460. Comparative Anatomy (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. A phylogenetic study of the anatomy of the vertebrate classes. Three hours lecture and one laboratory session each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 464. Photobiology (4)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. A study of the effects of solar radiation on biological systems. Four hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 470. Environmental Animal Physiology (3)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 471. Principles of animal physiology and adaptive mechanisms. Three hours lecture each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 471. Laboratory in Environmental Animal Physiology (1)

Corequisite: BIOL - 470. Project-oriented course with an emphasis on adaptive mechanisms and environmental toxicology. One laboratory session each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 481. Techniques in Cell Biology (2)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 482 . Principles and practices of laboratory techniques used in cell biology. Two hours lecture each week. Offered every Fall.

BIOL - 482. Laboratory in Techniques in Cell Biology (2)

Corequisite: BIOL - 481. Two laboratory sessions each week.

BIOL - 485. Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology (2)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Corequisite: BIOL - 486 . Recombinant DNA techniques; methods of nucleic acid isolation and characterization. Two hours lecture each week. Offered every Spring.

BIOL - 486. Laboratory in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology (2)

Corequisite: BIOL - 485. Two laboratory sessions each week.

BIOL - 490. Undergraduate Seminar in Biology (1)

Prerequisite: BIOL - 310 with a minimum grade of C, or corequisite. Topics in Biology. Open to Juniors and Seniors only. May be repeated once for upper-division credit. One hour each week. Offered intermittently.

BIOL - 498. Research for Advanced Undergraduates (4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA in Biology and supporting science courses (Chemistry, Math and Physics), consent of instructor and department chair. Selected upper division students have an opportunity to work on a research project under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Up to 4 units with 0201-398, 598 and 599 can be counted towards Biology upper division course requirements. Offered every Fall and Spring.