Biology

Offered fall and spring semesters. A foundation emphasizing human interaction and place within all levels of the biosphere and the scientific process. The course will incorporate six unifying principles: 1) Evolution: Patterns and Products of Change, 2) Interaction and Interdependence, 3) Genetic Continuity and Reproduction, 4) Growth, Development, and Differentiation, 5) Energy, Matter, and Organization, and 6) Maintenance of Dynamic Equilibrium. Inquiry oriented investigations will be used to introduce, explore, and expand on concepts discussed in the classroom. For each unit of credit, a minimum of three hours per week with one of the hours for class and two hours for studying/preparation outside of class is expected. 

This course will survey normal nutrition along with the physiological processes related to digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients. The relationship of energy balance, weight control, and eating disorders will be examined. The nutritional requirements of mother, infant, child, teen, and geriatric populations will be studied. This course is designed for the student entering health related fields or those who have an interest in normal nutrition. This course will utilize computer technology to enhance student learning. For each unit of credit, a minimum of three hours per week with one of the hours for class and two hours for studying/preparation outside of class is expected. 

This course introduces the integration of structure and function within the human body. An emphasis is placed on the correlation of gross and microscopic structure with functional maintenance of the following human organ systems: Integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous. A holistic approach is used to encourage the student to develop an integrated understanding of the human body.

This course completes the second half of a two-semester sequence intended to provide the student with a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology by studying the structures and their functions and grasping the correlation between structure and function. The systems studied in this course are immune, lymphatic, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive. This course should improve the student''s ability to use and understand the terms relating to the human body and encourage the development of a scientific attitude. This course is also designed to develop within the student a greater appreciation for the phenomena with which one comes in contact with on a daily basis.

An introduction to the study of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and helminthes with focus on those responsible for human disease. Evolution is the unifying principle used to investigate the interaction of microbe, human, and the environment. General microbiological concepts such as microbial structure, growth, metabolism, genetics, and ecology are applied to such medically related topics as control and pathogenicity of microorganisms as well as to body defense mechanisms and the immune responses. The lab exercises stress basic clinical laboratory techniques such as staining, aseptic technique, and the biochemical and serological testing for microorganisms. Biotechnology applications are also utilized. Both laboratory and lecture relate core microbiological principles to the understanding of infectious disease.