Life Sciences
The Life Sciences department at Howard Community College offers a variety of courses that explore the fundamental principles of biology. These courses are designed for students of all levels, from those who are new to the subject to those who are interested in pursuing a career in the biological sciences and many medical professional fields.
Some of the courses offered by the Life Sciences department include:
BIOL 100, Biology and Society: is a lecture and laboratory based course for non-Biology majors. In this course, students learn how contemporary topics in biology intersect with their lives as well as apply to society. In the laboratory, students learn basic techniques and gain experience with instrumentation such as basic microscopy and DNA fingerprinting.
BIOL 101, Biology for Allied Health: This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of biology, including cells, molecules, fundamental cellular processes, genetics as well as foundational concepts in anatomy and physiology. This course is designed primarily for allied health students.
BIOL 103, Human Heredity: This course studies mechanisms of inheritance and biotechnologies that impact human health and society.
BIOL 106, Basic Anatomy and Physiology: A lecture and laboratory based course that gives students an understanding of the anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) of the human body’s systems in one semester. This course serves students who are planning to enter specific allied health career programs, such as dental hygiene and emergency medical technology.
BIOL 109/119, Botany: This course explores the plant kingdom, including the structure, function, and diversity of plants.
BIOL107, Fundamentals of Microbiology: This course gives an introduction into the biology of microorganisms, specifically bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. In the laboratory, the student will gain experience with the tools and techniques used in the study of microorganisms. This course is designed primarily for allied health students.
BIOL 120/121, Biology for Engineers: This course provides engineers with the biological knowledge they need to understand the biological systems they work with.
BIOL 141/142, General Biology for Majors: Together, this two-semester sequence provides an introduction to the basic concepts of biology, including cells, molecules, fundamental cellular processes, genetics, evolution, and ecology. These courses are intended for students planning to major in biological and chemical sciences at a four-year institution as well as students who are in pre-medical and pre-dental career paths.
BIOL 200, Microbiology: This course examines microbial diversity in terms of morphology, classification, genetics, and metabolism with an emphasis on interactions between microorganisms and their environments. The course is intended for pre-medical professionals and for students planning to major in biological sciences at a four-year institution.
BIOL 203/204, Anatomy and Physiology I and II: Anatomy and Physiology is a dynamic course of study that explores the structure and function of the human body. Anatomy and Physiology I and II are a sequence of courses that satisfy prerequisites for many pre-health professional programs.
BIOL 201/202, Genetics: This course studies the inheritance of traits from parents to offspring.
BIOl 205, Cell Biology: This course is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of fundamental biological processes and their mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level with a focus on synthesizing knowledge to solve complex problems. This course is intended for students who are biology, biochemistry, laboratory science, and pre-medical/dental majors.
BIOL 206, Nutrition: This course, designed mainly for science and Pre-Allied Health majors, will enable students to examine the basic principles of normal nutrition. Students will answer questions and solve problems involving physical, biochemical, and clinical aspects of digestion, absorption, and metabolic functions of the nutrients in the body as well as exploring the relationship between nutrition and disease and social issues related to food choices.
The Life Sciences department also offers a variety of labs and field trips that allow students to apply the concepts they learn in the classroom. These labs and field trips provide students with hands-on experience and help them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The Life Sciences department is committed to providing students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in the biological sciences or other fields. The department's faculty are experienced and dedicated to teaching, and they are always willing to help students succeed.
If you are interested in learning more about the Life Sciences department at Howard Community College, please contact the chair of the department.