Biology

Exploring the Biological World

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)
  • Health Biology/ BIOSC 005

    3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab, 3 Units; No Prerequisites

    (Formerly BIOSC 5S) 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 E1

     Lead Instructor: Mark Lewis

     Current Required Text(s): Health, The Basics by Rebecca Donatelle, 13th edition. 

    Other Required Materials/Supplies: Lab Manual for Biology of Health, Revision 16, by Wellbrook.

    Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking):
    About $200.00 per semester

  • Environmental Biology/ BIOSC 007

    3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 Units; No Prerequisites

    An introduction to the biological concepts, principles, and laws underlying ecology and environmental science. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop an understanding of the significant relationships existing between organisms and the environment. The creative process of scientific inquiry, the aesthetics of science, the limitation and implications of scientific knowledge will be emphasized. Problem solving and active learning will be emphasized in this course.

     Requirements Satisfied By This Course:
    LMC General Education Requirement for Science; DA/LR
    Transfer: UC, CSU, Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC 5B, 5C

     Lead Instructor: Briana McCarthy

     Current Required Text(s): Environmental Science, Earth As A Living Planet, Bodkin & Keller, 9th Edition

     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 $150.00 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, 5C

     Lead 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

    (Formerly BIOSC 10LS) An integrated study with laboratory techniques and methods of the biological concepts, principles, and laws pertaining to life processes. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop an understanding of living organisms in terms of these processes, especially the human species. The creative process of scientific inquiry, the aesthetics of science, and the implications of scientific knowledge will be emphasized. Throughout the course, critical thinking, problem solving, and effective learning will be emphasized. This course meets the General Education Requirement for Science. May not be repeated

    Requirements Satisfied By This Course:

    LMC: General Education Requirement for Science; DA/LR
    Transfer: UC, CSU Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3, IGETC Area 5B, 5C

     Lead Instructor: Mark Lewis

     Current Required Text(s): What Is Life? A Guide To Biology (With Physiology), 4th edition by Phelan

     Other Required Materials/Supplies: Laboratory MAnual For Non-Majors General Biology, 7th edition by Lewis

     Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking):
    About $250.00 per semester

  • Principles of Biology: Cellular/ BIOSC 020
     

    3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 5 Units
    Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra

    Advisories:  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, 5C

     Lead Instructor: Jancy Rickman

    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 Rickman

    Optional 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 Algebra

    Advisory: High school Biology and/or Chemistry, or BIOSC 010, or BIOSC 020

    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, 5C

    Lead Instructor: Briana McCarthy

    Current Required Text(s): Campbell Biology in Focus, 1st edition, by Reece et al

     Other Required Materials/Supplies: 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 $350.00per semester

  • Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology/ BIOSC 030
     

    3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 Units

    Prerequisite: None

    Advisory: None

    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: James Clark

    Current Required Text(s): Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 11th edition by Elaine Marieb

    Other Required Materials/Supplies: 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: None

    Advisory: BIOSC-030 or equivalent course

    A comprehensive exploration of gross and microscopic anatomy: from cellular to systems that presents the human body as an integrated organism. Extensive dissections of human cadavers
    and preserved animal organs will constitute the bulk of the lab. May not be repeated.

    Requirements Satisfied By This Course:

    LMC: DA/LR; RN program prerequisite requirement

    Transfer: UC; CSU Gen. Ed. Area B2, B3; IGETC Area 5B, 5C

    Lead Instructor: Kyle Hanks

    Current Required Text(s): Principles of Human Anatomy (13th edition) by Tortora.

    Other Required Materials/Supplies: Laboratory Module for Human Anatomy by Wellbrook

    Estimated Total Course Cost (including texts and supplies, but not transportation or parking):
    About $450.00 per semester

  • Human Physiology/ BIOSC 045
     

    3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, 5 Units
    Advisory:BIOSC 40 and a college level chemistry course

    A 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, 5C

    Lead Instructor: Kyle Hanks

    Current Required Text(s): Human Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb & Hoehn, 10th edition

    Other Required Materials/Supplies: 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 or 7 or 8 or 20 or 21 or 25, or equivalent.
    (Formerly BIOSC 50LS)

    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, 5C

    Lead Instructor: Tess Shideler

    Current Required Text(s): Microbiology: An Introduction, Tortora, Funke, & Case, 12th edition

    Other Required Materials/Supplies: Microbiology Lab Manual by Hsieh; 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

     

     

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