Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   General Biology w/Lab

 Title Abbreviation:   GENERAL BIOLOGY W/LAB

 Department:    BIOL&

 Course #:    160

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    n/a

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2024


 Course Description  

This course provides introduction to basic concepts of biology, with an emphasis on the cells as the fundamental unit of life. Topics include cell structure, basic chemical and biochemical concepts, metabolism, cell division, principles of genetics, biological diversity, and methods of scientific inquiry and critical thinking. Course establishes foundation necessary for continued biology study, especially in human anatomy and physiology. Lab included.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 and CHEM&121 passed with a grade of C or higher; and either placement into MATH& 146 OR co-enrollment with MATH & 146 OR completion of MATH& 146 with a grade of C or higher.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
BTC BIOL& 160
LCCC BIOL& 160
Whatcom CC BIOL& 160

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures and describe how they function in a working cell.
  2. Describe how the unique properties of carbon and water support life on Earth.
  3. List the four major categories of macromolecules and describe their importance in biological processes.
  4. Write the chemical equation for cellular respiration and describe the steps and locations where these events occur in the cell.
  5. Describe how ATP is used by living organisms for chemical energy.
  6. Describe the processes of transcription and translation and their role in gene expression.
  7. Describe the role of enzymes in cellular function and distinguish between anabolic and catabolic reactions.
  8. Compare and contrast the processes and outcomes of mitosis and meiosis and their role in growth and reproduction.
  9. Describe how genes are inherited and demonstrate understanding using Punnett squares.
  10. NATURAL SCIENCES: Collect and analyze data and interpret the results from scientific investigations

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Properties of water
  2. Chemical Bonds
  3. Macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins)
  4. Cell structure and function
  5. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis
  6. Mitosis and meiosis
  7. Mendelian genetics
  8. DNA replication, transcription (mRNA production), and translation (protein synthesis)