Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 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:    2019


 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: Appropriate placement or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 099 and CHEM& 121.

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. Identify the types of chemical bonds and how atoms combine to form molecules.
  2. Describe the structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
  3. Relate the properties of water to its roles in living things.
  4. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  5. Identify the function of cell organelles and other structures.
  6. Describe how enzymes behave and how they are critical to cell functions.
  7. Describe and compare the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
  8. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis.
  9. Relate genetic material to the inheritance of traits.
  10. Explain the information flow from DNA to RNA to protein.
  11. Describe immune cells and their roles in fighting disease.
  12. 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)
  9. White blood cells and the immune system