Biology (BIO) at Virginia Western Community College
Distance Learning
Time of Day
Term
- BIO 1 - Foundations of Biology
- Develops a basic understanding of plant and animal form, function, and relationships. Prepares students who have a deficiency in high school biology May be repeated for credit.Lecture 1-4 hours. Laboratory 0-9 hours. Total 1-12 hours per week.
1-4 credits - BIO 20 - Introduction to Human Systems
- Presents basic principles of human anatomy and physiology. Discusses cells, tissues, and selected human systems.Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.
3 credits - BIO 100 - Basic Human Biology
- Presents basic principles of human anatomy and physiology. Discusses cells, tissues, and selected human systems.Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits - BIO 101 - General Biology I
- Focuses on biological processes with a chemical foundation, including macromolecules, cellular structure, metabolism, and genetics in an evolutionary context. Explores the core concepts of evolution; structure and function; information flow, storage and exchange; pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and systems biology. Emphasizes the process of science, interdisciplinary approach, and relevance of biology to society. Part I of a two-course sequence. Assignments require college-level reading fluency, coherent written communication, and basic mathematical skills. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course. Credit toward graduation cannot be awarded for both BIO 101 and BIO 106.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 102 - General Biology II
- Focuses on biological processes with a chemical foundation, including macromolecules, cellular structure, metabolism, and genetics in an evolutionary context. Explores the core concepts of evolution; structure and function; information flow, storage and exchange; pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and systems biology. Emphasizes the process of science, interdisciplinary approach, and relevance of biology to society. Part II of a two-course sequence. This is a UCGS transfer course.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: BIO 101 or Departmental Permission4 credits - BIO 107 - Biology of the Environment
- Presents the basic concepts of environmental science through a topical approach. Includes the scientific method, population growth and migration, use of natural resources and waste management, ecosystem simplification recovery, evolution, biogeochemical cycles, photosynthesis and global warming, geological formations, atmosphere and climate, and ozone depletion and acid deposition.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 110 - General Botany
- Emphasizes plant life cycles, anatomy, morphology, taxonomy, and evolution. Considers the principles of genetics, ecology, and physiology.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 120 - General Zoology
- Presents basic biological principles, and emphasizes structure, physiology and evolutionary relationships of invertebrates and vertebrates.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 141 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- Presents the study of anatomy & physiology including anatomical terminology, homeostasis, histology, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous system. Part I of II. Assignments require college-level reading fluency, coherent written communication, and basic mathematical skills.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Corequisite or Prerequisite: Demonstration of NAS 2 concepts of Chemical Concepts, Cytology, and Inheritance through NAS 2 completion; or assessment; or module completion; or equivalent.4 credits - BIO 142 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Continues study of anatomy and physiology including endocrine system, blood and cardiovascular system, lymphatic system and immunity, respiratory system, urinary system, fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, digestive system and nutrient metabolism, reproductive system, and prenatal development. Part II of II.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: Completion of BIO 141 with a grade of C or better.4 credits - BIO 145 - Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Surveys human anatomy and physiology. Covers basic chemical concepts, cellular physiology, anatomy, and physiology of human organ systems. Assignments require college-level reading fluency, coherent written communication, and basic mathematical skills.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 146 - Human Heredity
- Surveys basic principles of classical and molecular genetics as applied to humans.Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits - BIO 147 - Basic Laboratory Calculations for Biotechnology
- Prepares students to work effectively in a scientific laboratory through instruction of the metric system, scientific notation, exponents, solution making, pH readings, and the creation of standard curves for data analysis. Focus will be on quantitative skills needed to perform most basic laboratory work. Skills will be practiced and reinforced through application-based problems and hands on activities.Lecture 1 hour. Total 1 hour per week.
1 credits - BIO 150 - Microbiology for Health Science
- Focuses on the general characteristics, cellular structure, and metabolism of microorganisms. Emphasizes microbial relationships with individual and community health. Includes impact of microbes on human health and disease, microbial pathogenicity, identifying and managing infectious diseases and controlling microbial growth, healthcare associated infections and epidemiology. Studies aseptic culturing techniques with hands-on experience in safe microbiology practices.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: BIO 101 or BIO 1414 credits - BIO 173 - Biology for Biotechnology
- Introduces the student to biological concepts essential to the understanding of biotechnology. Focuses on the structural organization, function, and chemical nature of the cell. Studies cellular processes such as membrane transport, information, processing, reproduction and heredity. Emphasizes laboratory methods of biotechnology.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 193 - Studies In
- Covers new content not covered in existing courses in the discipline. Allows instructor to explore content and instructional methods to access the course's viability as a permanent offering.Variable hours per week.
1-5 credits - BIO 195 - Topics In
- Provides an opportunity to explore topical areas of interest to or needed by students.May be used also for special honors courses. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits - BIO 196 - On-Site Training
- Specializes in career orientation and training program without pay in selected businesses and industry, supervised and coordinated by the college.Credit/work ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits - BIO 199 - Supervised Study
- Assigns problems for independent study incorporating previous instruction and supervised by the instructor.May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits - BIO 205 - General Microbiology
- Explores the structure and function of microorganisms and their relationship to the environment and humans. Emphasizes the various groups of microorganisms, their growth and metabolism, roles in the functioning of ecosystems, genetics, their roles in human health, the use of microbes in industrial applications and biotechnology and methods of microbial control.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: ENG 111, BIO 101, BIO 102, and CHM 111 Corequisite: CHM 1124 credits - BIO 206 - Cell Biology
- Introduces the ultrastructure and functions of cells. Emphasizes cell metabolism, cell division, and control of gene expression.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 101 and CHM 111.4 credits - BIO 215 - Plant Life of Virginia
- Focuses on identification and ecological relationships of the native plants of Virginia. Emphasizes the natural communities of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, ferns, and some invasive species.Lecture 2 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.
3 credits - BIO 220 - Immunology
- Provides students with and in-depth understanding of the mammalian immune system. Students begin with a detailed study of the immune system components and move on to an integrated look at the immune response with respect to clinical applications and human health.3 credits
- BIO 232 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Integrates the study of gross and microscopic human anatomy with physiology, emphasizing the analysis and interpretation of physiological parameters, as they relate to clinical scenarios. Covers the endocrine system, circulatory system, lymphatic system (including immunity), respiratory system, urinary system (including fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance), digestive system (including nutrient metabolism), and reproductive system (including prenatal development). Part II of II.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Completion of BIO 231 with a grade of C or better.4 credits - BIO 250 - Biotechnology Research Methods and Skills
- Provides students with knowledge and advanced laboratory skills needed for employment in the biotechnology industry. Focuses on use of basic and specialized lab equipment and techniques such as solution chemistry, cell culture, DNA extraction and analysis, and protein extraction and analysis. Emphasis in on lab safety, documentation, quality control, and use of SOPs.Lecture 1 hour, Laboratory 6 hours per week. Total 7 hours per week.
Students are expected to have completed BIO 101 or BIO 173. Co-requisite is BIO 253 Biotechnology Concepts must either be taken previously or concurrent with enrollment in this course.3 credits - BIO 251 - Protein Applications in Biotechnology
- Prepares students to understand protein structure and function and teaches the laboratory skills needed to successfully work with proteins. Focuses on levels of protein structure and protein function. Includes common laboratory assays will for protein synthesis, purification, detection, and quantification.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 252 - Nucleic Acid Methods
- Provides students with advanced laboratory skills needed for employment in the biotechnology industry. Focuses on use of basic and specialized lab equipment and techniques such as solution chemistry, cell culture, DNA extraction and analysis, protein extraction and analysis. Emphasizes lab safety, documentation, quality control, and use of SOPs.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
4 credits - BIO 253 - Biotechnology Concepts
- Explores the growing field of biotechnology ranging from basic cellular and molecular biology concepts to both basic and advanced laboratory techniques. Emphasizes the application of biotechnology to medicine, agriculture, environmental science, and forensics. Includes discussion of the business, regulatory/legal, ethical, and societal issues of this topic as well as the growing field of bioinformatics.Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 101 or BIO 173, or instructor permission.3 credits - BIO 255 - Bioinformatics and Computer Applications in Biotechnology
- Covers basic computer concepts and Internet skills and uses a software suite, which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to demonstrate skills as they are applied to biotechnology. Introduces students to basic online tools and resources to retrieve and analyze biological data, such as DNA, RNA, and protein sequences, structures, functions, pathways, and interactions. Includes hands-on sessions to allow students to become familiar with these resources and their navigation and applications.(2 Cr.) Lecture 2 hours. Total 2 hours per week.
Local2 credits - BIO 256 - General Genetics
- Explores the principles of genetics ranging from classical Mendelian inheritance to the most recent advances in the biochemical nature and function of the gene. Includes experimental design and statistical analysis.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 101 & BIO 102 or equivalent.4 credits - BIO 270 - General Ecology
- Studies interrelationships between organisms and their natural and cultural environments with emphasis on populations, communities, and ecosystems.Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Any two of the following prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 110, BIO 1204 credits - BIO 271 - Introduction to Ecological Systems
- Examines the basic biological, meteorological and geological/ geographic factors at play in determining various critical ecosystems. Emphasis on wetlands and wetlands reconstruction, endangered and threatened species habitats, and aquatic systems. Remote sensing technology and use of GIS in ecological management will be examined.Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.
Prerequisite: BIO 101.4 credits - BIO 285 - Biological Problems in Contemporary Society
- Discusses major biological problems facing society which may include environmental and health concerns such as pollution, bioengineering, drug abuse, conservation, famine and others.Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits - BIO 290 - Coordinated Internship
- Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the college.Credit/practice ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits - BIO 293 - Studies In
- Covers new content not covered in existing courses in the discipline. Allows instructor to explore content and instructional methods to assess the course's viability as a permanent offering.Variable hours per week.
1-5 credits - BIO 295 - Topics In
- Provides an opportunity to explore topical areas of interest to or needed by students.May be used also for special honors courses. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits - BIO 298 - Seminar and Project
- Requires completion of a project or research report related to the student's occupational objectives and a study of approaches to the selection and pursuit of career opportunities in the field.May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits - BIO 299 - Supervised Study
- Assigns problems for independent study incorporating previous instruction and supervised by the instructor.May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits
