Biology Courses
View the catalog for the most accurate listing of courses
View the class schedule for what is offered this semester
Biology courses and transfer/degree/major prep requirements:
Below is a listing of the LMC biology courses and the transfer/degree/major prep requirements
satisfied by each course.
- Non-Laboratory Human Biology Course for a Terminal LMC AA degree or to Satisfy the
Health Requirement (Area E) for Students Transferring to a CSU:
Biology 5 (Human Health) - General Education Biology with Lab for Transfer students who DON’T intend to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, or biology research: Biology 7 (Environmental
Biology), Biology 8 (Human Biology) and Biology 10 (Non-Majors General Biology)
- Pre-nursing Courses (LVN Program):
Biology 30 (Anatomy and Physiology) and Nutrition 55 (Nutrition) - Pre-nursing Courses (RN Program):
Biology 40 (Human Anatomy) and Biology 45 (Human Physiology) and Biology 50 (Microbiology) - Biology or Pre-Med Majors:
Biology 20 (Cellular Biology) and Biology 21 (Organismic Biology)
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Health Biology/ BIOSC 005
3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab, 3 Units; No Prerequisites
This is an introductory course that covers the biological concepts and principles underlying human health and fitness. The course content includes the basic functions of the human cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, immune, and reproductive systems, and the effects of diet, exercise, certain drugs, and stress on these systems. The course includes up-to-date information on biological and medical discoveries related to human health. Issues related to mental health, addiction, and sexually transmitted diseases will also be emphasized. Hands-on mini-lab assignments will serve to demonstrate the alive, exciting concepts. This course meets the General Education Graduation Requirement for Health. May not be repeated.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: General Education Requirement for Science; DA/LR
Transfer: UC, CSU Gen. Ed. Area E1Lead Instructor: Mark Lewis
Current Required Text: Health Education, by College of the Canyons, https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/health-education
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $20.00 per semester
- Environmental Biology/BIOSC 007
3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 Units; No Prerequisites; offered in hybrid and face-to-face formats
This course provides an introduction to the biological concepts and principles underlying ecology and environmental science. Utilizing an interdisciplinary, case-based approach, students explore the interconnectedness of ecosystems on planet Earth by investigating human impact on local and global systems. By grappling with questions surrounding sustainability, personal responsibility, and ecological health, students will work towards the goals of developing environmental literacy and thinking scientifically and critically about environmental issues. Lab explorations, field exercises, and field trips to local environmental sites will facilitate deeper understanding of our place in the ecosystem and provide hands-on experience throughout the course. This course meets the General Education Requirement for Science.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: General Education Requirement for Science; DA/LR
Transfer: UC, CSU, Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Briana McCarthy
Current Required Text(s): Environmental Biology: Matthew Fisher, editor. Simple Book Publishing (Creative Commons licensed, Open Educational Resource)
Other Required Materials/Supplies: Ecology and the Environment Lab Manual (online)
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $25 per semester
- Human Biology/ BIOSC 008
3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 Units; No Prerequisites
Bio 8 is designed & taught as a non-majors biology course. It is intended to provide a survey of fundamental human biological concepts applicable to daily life. For some students, this will be their only exposure to the science of biology; while other students will use Bio 8 as a foundation for further study in biology and its related fields.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC General Education Requirement for Science; DA/LR
Transfer: UC, CSU, Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Jill Bouchard
Current Required Text(s): Biology of Humans, Goodenough & McGuire, 6th ed.
Other Required Materials/Supplies: Bio 8 Human Biology Lab Module compiled by S. Wellbrook
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $200.00 per semester
- General Biology/ BIOSC 010
3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab, 4 Units; No Prerequisites
Advisory: Math-012 or higher; eligibility for ENGL-100An integrated study of life forms with weekly laboratory activities. The course will focus on biological concepts, principles, and laws pertaining to life processes, as well as the scientific method used to investigate these processes. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to apply their critical thinking abilities to investigate the connections between biological theories and real-world observations. This course meets the General Education Requirement for Lab Science. May not be repeated. LR
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: General Education Requirement for Science; ADR: Natural Sciences; DA
Transfer: UC, CSU Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3, IGETC Area 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Jancy Rickman
Current Required Texts:
Text: Openstax Biology For AP Courses (https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-ap-courses)
Lab Manual: General Biology for Non-Majors: BioSc 10 Lab Manual by Jancy RickmanEstimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $50.00 per semester
- Principles of Biology: Cellular/ BIOSC 020
3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 5 Units
Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra or eligibility for college level mathAdvisories: Advanced Placement (AP) High School Biology, AP Chemistry, Chem -025 or equivalent, BIOSC-010, ENGL-100
This is an integrated study of the central concepts of cell and molecular biology intended for biology majors. This course will cover the concepts and applications of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cytology, biochemical and metabolic pathways, proteomics, reproduction and genomics. The critical and creative process of scientific inquiry and the implications of scientific knowledge will be emphasized. Skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and effective learning will be employed throughout the course. Required for biological science majors. Students can receive Honors credit for this class. Contact the Honors Program for more information.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: DA/LR. (CAN BIOL SEQ A)
Transfer: UC, CSU, Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Tess Shideler
Current Required Text(s): Campbell: Biology in Focus , by Urry, et al. 2nd ed. OR Openstax (https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e)
Lab Manual: Cell and Molecular Processes, by RickmanOptional Lab Text: A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory, 7th edition or later, Van De Graaf and Crawley
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $350.00 per semester
- Principles Of Biology: Organismic/BIOSC 021
3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 5 Units
Prerequisite: Intermediate AlgebraAdvisory: High school Biology and/or Chemistry, or BIOSC 010, or BIOSC 020
Course Description: An integrated study of biological processes and principles that lead to increasing higher levels of organization. The course focuses on three major areas of study: Evolutionary principles, Unity and Diversity of Life and Ecology. Major topics will include Origin of Life, evolutionary mechanisms, evidence of evolution, speciation, diversity of life; plant form and function; population and community ecology; ecosystems and environmental concerns. Academic skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and effective learning will be emphasized throughout the course. Laboratory methods, techniques and field work will be included with all major topics.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: DA/LR (CAN BIOL SEQ A)
Transfer: UC, CSU, Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Briana McCarthy
Current Required Text(s): Campbell Biology in Focus, 1st edition, by Reece et al
Required Lab Manual: Principles of Biology; Organismal, Lab Manual, Los Medanos College Edition, McGraw Hill
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $350.00 per semester - Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology/ BIOSC 030
3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Course Description: This course is designed to cover basic anatomy and physiology. Fundamentals of body structure and function and the elegant interrelationships between body organs and how they perform will be explored. All of the systems of the body, including very basic microscopic anatomy and simple physiological chemistry will be covered in this one semester course. May not be repeated.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: DA/LR
Transfer: CSU
Lead Instructor: Kyle Hanks/Jill Bouchard
Current Required Text(s): Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 11th edition by Elaine Marieb
Required Lab Manual: Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology Lab by Atsma, et al, 2nd edition
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $250.00 per semester
- Human Anatomy/ BIOSC 040
3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 5 Units
Prerequisite courses: None
Advisory: BIOSC-030 Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology (or equivalent) and eligibility for ENGL-100
Course Description: Human Anatomy (BIOSC-040) is primarily designed for pre-healthcare majors, and satisfies the anatomy prerequisite requirement for RN and other programs at many community colleges and CSUs. This course will provide a comprehensive exploration of gross and microscopic anatomy from a cellular to systems level, demonstrating the human body as an integrated organism. Extensive dissections of human cadavers and preserved animal organs will constitute most of the lab work. We will journey through the intricate structures of the body, learn to identify them, and describe their functions.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
For Los Medanos: the DA/LR; RN program prerequisite.
For Transfer: UC; CSU Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC Area 5B, 5CLead Instructor: James Madden
Required Text: . Anatomy & Physiology, Patton, K.T. et al. 2022, 11th Edition. Elsevier Publishing.
Required Lab Manual: Discovering Anatomy: A Guided Examination of the Cadaver, Morton, D.A. and Crawley, J.L. 2018.
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): About $350.00 per semester
- Human Physiology/ BIOSC 045
3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 5 Units
Advisory: BIOSC 40 and a college level chemistry courseA comprehensive exploration of general human physiology beginning with a discussion of the molecular and cellular basis of physiology, followed by an analysis of molecular, cellular, and tissue functions as they relate to each of the systems of the body and the total human organism. Critical and quantitative thinking and problem solving will be emphasized, and modern physiological recording instruments will be utilized extensively to analyze human physiological function. May not be repeated.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: DA/LR; RN Program pre-requisite requirement
Transfer: UC, CSU Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3, IGETC Area 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Kyle Hanks
Current Required Text: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb & Hoehn, 10th edition
Required Lab Manual: Human Physiology Lab Manual by Hsieh
Other Required Materials/Supplies: Colored pens/pencils, Sharpie marker
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking): Approx. $370 for California residents, more for non-residents.
- Microbiology/ BIOSC 050
2 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 4 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 6, 7 or 25, or equivalent
This course explores the fundamental principles that are related to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It examines the microbial world with an emphasis on bacteria and their role in disease. Basic areas to be studied in the classroom and the laboratory include microbial characteristics, microbial metabolism, microbial growth and its control, microbial genetics and biotechnology, interactions between microbes and host, microorganisms and human disease, and industrial and environmental applications of microbiology. The process of scientific inquiry will be emphasized, and opportunities for analytical thinking and problem solving will be interwoven throughout the course. May not be repeated.
Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
LMC: DA/LR; RN Program pre-requisite requirement
Transfer: UC, CSU Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3, IGETC Area 5B, 5CLead Instructor: Tess Shideler
Current Required Text: Microbiology: An Introduction, Tortora, Funke, & Case, 13th edition
Required Lab Manuals: Microbiology Lab Manual by Hsieh; and A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, LeBoffe & Pierce, 4th edition
Other Required Materials/Supplies: Colored pens/pencils, Sharpie marker
Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking):
Approximately $400 for California residents -