Questions that are frequently asked of  the Biology Department

1.  Do I have to take the lecture portion and the lab portion of a class at the same time?
2.  What is the difference between BIOL1010, BIOL1170, and BIOL1210?
 
 

1.  Do I have to take the lecture portion and the lab portion of a class at the same time?

Yes.  The lecture and laboratory portions of the biology classes are designed to be taken during the same term.  You do not receive a separate grade for the laboratory portion of any biology class, instead, your performance in lab will be integrated into your lecture grade.  In all biology classes, the laboratory portion of the class will determine 20% of your total grade.  You may not use laboratory scores that you earned in one term as part of your grade in a subsequent term.

BIOL1010 introduces the field of biology to nonmajors. It consists of a survey of living things from bacteria to plants and animals.    A concurrent lab (BIOL1020) must be taken with the lecture.  This course is NOT an acceptable prerequisite for BIOL2050,  BIOL2100, or any other biology class.

BIOL1170  covers cell biology for students who are not planning to major in Biology or other science fields.  The course covers scientific methods, basic chemistry, cell structure, cell function, cell division, genetics, and energy.  This course is designed for students working to enter the health sciences.   A concurrent lab (BIOL1180) must be taken with the lecture.  This course is an acceptable prerequisite for BIOL2050 and BIOL2110.

BIOL1210 introduces biologic principles for students who are  planning to major in Biology or other science fields.  The course covers scientific methods, basic chemistry, cell structure, cell function, cell division, genetics, and energy.  This course also covers evolution, systematics and the six kingdoms of living organisms.   A concurrent lab (BIOL1220) must be taken with the lecture.  This course is an acceptable prerequisite for BIOL2050 and BIOL2110.  It is also the prerequisite for BIOL 1330, 1350, 2170, and 2210.

All three of these courses do satisfy the General Education requirements for the biological sciences.  As with all Salt Lake Community College courses that meet the General requirements for the biological sciences,  thiese classes will introduce the student to the following concepts:
    1. The domain and process of science
    2. The cell as the basic unit of life
    3. Evolution and the diversity of life
    4. DNA and the continuity of life
    5. The interrelationships of living organisms

The topics of chemistry and cell and membrane structure and function will be covered in a general manner  in BIOL1010.  Cellular communication and movement are discussed only very briefly in BIOL1010.  Growth and development of living organisms will take a more molecular approach in BIOL1170 than in BIOL1010.  These topics are covered in much more detail in BIOL1170.

There will be an entire unit on the kingdoms of living organisms and classification techniques in BIOL 1010.  Representative examples of each kingdom will be discussed in BIOL 1010. There will be no unit on the kingdoms of living organisms and classification techniques in BIOL1170; however, diversity in cell types among members of the  kingdoms will be demonstrated whenever possible.

There will be a unit on ecosystems in BIOL 1010.  There will be no formal discussion of ecosystems in BIOL 1170; however, interrelations among various cell types will be discussed where appropriate.

In summary, diversity, classification, and ecosystems are covered in more detail in BIOL1010, while chemistry and cell and membrane structure and function are covered in more detail in BIOL1170.
Both of these classes cover the topic of genetics in a similar amount of depth.

BIOL1210 is designed for students who will be majoring in biology or the sciences.  The information presented will be at much more depth than the information presented in BIOL1010/1020 or BIOL1170/1180.  The student will be expected to do more independent learning in BIOL1210 than in BIOL1010/1020 or BIOL1170/1180.

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