A.S Degree
Natural and Applied Sciences Division (NAS)
Division Dean: Dave Reynolds
Division Office, Room 701
Department Chair: Yves Tan (831) 479-6457
Aptos Counseling: (831) 479-6274 for appointment
Watsonville Counseling: (831) 786-4734
Call (831) 4796328
Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze structural and functional organization of organisms within the context of development and evolution.
2. Develop scientifc literacy and use efective oral, written, and quantitative skills to communicate scientifc data and ideas.
3. Critically evaluate global and environmental challenges, and develop a sense of stewardship.
A.S. General Education Biology Core 21 Units
BIO 9A Molecular, Cellular, and Animal Biology. ................5
BIO 9B Ecology, Evolution, and Plant Biology. ....................5
Related Disciplines (Choose 29 units) Units
CHEM 1A General Chemistry I ...................................................5
CHEM 1B General Chemistry II ..................................................5
CHEM 12A Organic Chemistry I ................................................3
and
CHEM 12AL Organic Chemistry Laboratory I.......................2
or
CHEM 12B Organic Chemistry II ...............................................3
and
CHEM 12BL Organic Chemistry Laboratory II .....................2
Foreign Language* ....................................................................... 0 - 12
MATH 5A Analytic Geometry and Calculus I ........................5
MATH 5B Analytic Geometry and Calculus II .......................5
MATH 5C Analytic Geometry and Calculus III ......................5
PHYS 2A **Physics for Life Sciences I ....................................4
PHYS 2B ***Physics for Life Sciences II .................................4
or
PHYS 4A Physics for Scientists and Engineers I ..................5
PHYS 4B **Physics for Scientists and Engineers II .............5
PHYS 4C ***Physics for Scientists and Engineers III ..........5
Total Units 60
**fall only; ***spring only
*The student should consult the catalog of the intended transfer institution
concerning the necessity or appropriateness of these courses.
Preparation for the STEM Workforce
Certificate of Competency
The Certificate of Competency in STEM is designed to enhance student preparation for diverse STEM careers, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be successful. The Certificate emphasizes hands-on and applied experiences for specific technical competence, as well as skills aimed at broad preparation to enter a variety of STEM fields.
Learning Outcomes
1. Develop workplace skills including scienti"c communication, scientific literacy, inter/intrapersonal skills, analyze scientific infor mation, and strategies for gaining employment in STEM fields.
2. Demonstrate career specific skills that involve biological research, including designing and implementing research projects, and then evaluating and communicating the project results in a professional setting.
Required Courses
-BIO 450 Applied Research in Biology
-BIO 451 Advanced Applied Research in Biology
Biotechnology Skills Certificate
Provides the student with skills and job training essential for the field of biotechnology. Jobs include technical positions in genetic engineering, forensics, bioinformatics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. This certifcate program allows students to attain essential skills in biotechnology and provides opportunities to learn laboratory procedures and safety, how to record and analyze data, perform basic calculations and write laboratory documents. Students also learn about careers and ethical issues in biotechnology.
Career Opportunities in Biotechnology:
Careers for those with a Skills Certificate in Biotechnology would be assay analyst, laboratory assistant or technician, manufacturing techinician, QA/QC technician. Jobs for technicians may be found in environmental testing labs, forensic labs, hospitals, plant culturing labs, research labs and wineries.
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe careers in Biotechnology and the process of obtaining employment in Biotechnology
2. Compare and contrast the procedures and skills used in a Biotechnology laboratory and critically analyze scientific and technical literature.
Required Courses (8 Units) Units Students should take these courses in the following sequence:
-BIO 41T Biotechnology Fundamentals............................4
-BIO 42T Advanced Biotechnology....................................4
-CG 51 Planning for Success..................................................1
or
-CG 54 Careers and Lifestyles..............................................1
Total Units 9
Biology Courses
BIO 4 Human Anatomy
4 units; 3 hours Lecture, 3 hours Laboratory
Recommended Preparation: MA 70 and MA 170B.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents the gross structure of the organ systems of the human body through lecture, demonstrations, and dissection. This course is planned for allied health students.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: BIO 4 combined with BIO 5 and 13A + 13AL: maximum credit-2 courses. C-ID: BIOL 110B
BIO 4A Human Anatomy Coordinated Studies 1 unit; 3 hours Laboratory
Co-requisite: BIO 4.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Provides an enrichment program in anatomy, to be taken concurrently with BIO 4. This course is tailored to individual needs and interests as enrichment or an expansion of subject area material through laborato ry or directed reading.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU.
BIO 5 Human Physiology
4 units; 3 hours Lecture, 3 hours Laboratory
Prerequisite: CHEM 3 and CHEM 3L taken at college (CHEM 3 + CHEM 3L formerly identi"ed as CHEM 2) or CHEM 30A or CHEM 32 or CHEM 1A.
Recommended Preparation: BIO 4.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents an exploration of the functions of the various physiological systems and their underlying chemical basis. Functions of cells, tissues, organs and systems are examined with respect to the human organism through lecture and laboratory. Designed for allied health students.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: BIO 5 combined with BIO 4 and 13A + 13AL: maximum credit-2 courses. C-ID: BIOL 120B
BIO 6 Microbiology
4 units; 3 hours Lecture, 3 hours Laboratory
Prerequisite: CHEM 3 and CHEM 3L taken at college (CHEM 3 + CHEM 3L formerly identi"ed as CHEM 2) or CHEM 30A or CHEM 32 or CHEM 1A.
Hybrid Requisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in BIO 101. Recommended Preparation: BIO 4.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents a survey covering cell structure metabolism, molecular genet ics and growth, control, and the role of microorganisms in infectious diseases. Emphasis is on bacterial organisms, but includes eukaryotic microbes and viruses as well.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC.
BIO 9A Molecular, Cellular, and Animal Biology
5 units; 3 hours Lecture, 6 hours Laboratory
Prerequisite: CHEM 1A.
Hybrid Requisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in BIO 101. Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Examines the principles and applications of molecular biology, cell bi ology, and animal biology. Topics include prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function, biological molecules, homeostasis, cell reproduction, genetics, metabolism, cellular communication, animal diversity, animal anatomy, and animal physiology. The philosophy of science, methods of scienti"c inquiry and experimental design are foundational. Students enrolled in the Honors Transfer Program may count this course toward the Honors Scholar designation with an Hon
ors Contract.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC. C-ID: BIO 9A + BIO 9B = C-ID: BIOL 135S
BIO 9B Ecology, Evolution, and Plant Biology 5 units; 3 hours Lecture, 6 hours Laboratory
Prerequisite: BIO 9A and MATH 152 or equivalent.
Hybrid Requisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in BIO 101. Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Examines ecological and evolutionary processes, and the biology of plants and fungi. Topics include plant and fungal structure, function, and diversity; community, population, and ecosystem ecology; ecosys tem diversity; evolutionary mechanisms, population genetics, specia tion and extinction. Students enrolled in the Honors Transfer Program may count this course toward the Honors Scholar designation with an Honors Contract.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC. C-ID: BIO 9A + BIO 9B = C-ID: BIOL 135S
BIO 11A General Biology
4 units; 3 hours Lecture, 3 hours Laboratory
Recommended Preparation: BIO 101.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents an introduction to the world of living things. Topics include molecular and cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, human biology, diversity of life, evolution, and ecology. Emphasis is on current biolog ical issues. Recommended for non-biology majors or prospective biol
ogy majors who lack previous high school biology course work. Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: No credit if taken after BIO 1A, 1B, 1C, 9A or 9B.
BIO 11B Marine Biology
4 units; 3 hours Lecture, 3 hours Laboratory
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Explores ocean processes, habitats and organisms, including those of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Emphasis will be on eco logical relationships, adaptations of organisms to their environments, and marine conservation e#orts. Several "eld trips will take place during the lab sessions.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC.
BIO 11C Ecology
5 units; 3 hours Lecture, 6 hours Laboratory
Hybrid Requisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in BIO 101. Recommended Preparation: Eligibility for MATH 154.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Covers factors in$uencing distribution, abundance, and evolution of organisms. Includes simulations, experiments, individual projects and "eld trips. For Biology and Environmental Studies majors. Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC.
BIO 13A Biology of People—Anatomy and Physiology
3 units; 3 hours Lecture
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents a survey of the integration of structure and function of the most wonderful of machines, the human body. The healthy state is emphasized but selected disease processes are covered. Intended for nonscience majors or selected pre-health professionals. Not open to students who have taken BIO 4 or BIO 5. Portions of this course may be o#ered in a Distance-Learning Format.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: BIO 13A + 13AL com bined with BIO 4 and 5: maximum credit-2 courses.
BIO 13AL Biology of People—Anatomy and Physiology Lab
1 unit; 3 hours Laboratory
Hybrid Requisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in BIO 13A and BIO 101.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents a human anatomy and physiology laboratory course de signed to accompany BIO 13A. Course involves hands-on experiences to assist in understanding the various structures and functions of the body. Includes use of models, experimentation, demonstrations, and limited dissection.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC, with limits: BIO 13A + 13AL com bined with BIO 4 and 5: maximum credit-2 courses.
BIO 31 Animal Behavior
3 units; 3 hours Lecture
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Explores basic principles of genetics, evolution, ecology, and the scien ti"c method as illustrated in the study of animal behavior. Includes the challenges of growing up, catching food, avoiding predators, migrat ing, navigating, communicating, making homes, competing for mates,
courting, sex, taking care of o#spring, and complex social behaviors. Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC, with conditions: No credit if taken after BIO 1B, 9A or 9B.
BIO 41T Biotechnology Fundamentals 4 units; 2 hours Lecture, 6 hours Laboratory
Prerequisite: MATH 154 or MATH 154B; CHEM 3 and CHEM 3L (CHEM 3 +CHEM 3L formerly identi"ed as CHEM 2) or high school chemistry or equivalent or higher level chemistry course; BIO 11A or high school biology or equivalent or higher level biology course.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents the "eld of biotechnology and teaches fundamental skills re quired to obtain employment in biotechnology. Topics include careers in biotechnology, basic laboratory skills and equipment use, DNA iso lation and manipulation, DNA technology, keeping a notebook, safety, scienti"c literacy, and report writing.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC.
BIO 42T Advanced Biotechnology
4 units; 2 hours Lecture, 6 hours Laboratory
Prerequisite: BIO 41T or equivalent skills.
Recommended Preparation: MATH 152 or MATH 152B or equivalent skills.
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Presents a deeper understanding of the "eld of biotechnology and strengthens skills required to obtain employment in biotechnology. Topics include DNA, RNA, and protein technologies, bioinformatics, plant and agricultural technologies, mammalian cell culture, medi
cal biotechnology, and emerging biotechnologies. This is a follow-up course to Bio 41T.
Transfer Credit: Transfers to CSU; UC.
BIO 101 Introduction to Microscopy 0.25 units; 0.25 hour lecture, 0.25 hour Laboratory
Repeatability: May be taken a total of 1 time.
Introduces proper use and handling of light compound and dissection microscopes. Other topics include the history and principles of micros copy, and preparation and observation of biological specimens for mi croscopy.
Transfer Credit: Non-transferable.
BIO 450 Applied Research in Biology 0 units; 18 total hours Lecture, 54-162 total hours Laboratory Recommended Preparation: BIO 9A.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated.
Provides opportunities for Biology students to participate in original research projects to gain skills for career and academic success. Ac tivities include experimental design, data collection and analysis, and interpretation and presentation of results. Research areas span mo lecular biology and microbial genetics to population biology, marine biology, and ecology.
BIO 451 Advanced Applied Research in Biology
0 units; 18 total hours Lecture, 54 total hours Laboratory Recommended Preparation: BIO 9A.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated.
Provides opportunities for Biology students to gain advanced skills in laboratory and "eld biology research. Students will participate in origi nal research projects to gain skills for career and academic success. Ac tivities include applied experimental design, advanced data collection and analysis, and interpretation and presentation of results. Research areas span molecular biology and microbial genetics to population bi ology, marine biology, and ecology.