Placement for BIO201 and BIO 205
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Introductory Biology for Allied Health (BIO 156) is a cell and molecular biology course that sets the foundation for Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 201 and BIO 202) and Microbiology (BIO 205). We have found that students who do not have a working knowledge of the topics covered in BIO 156 have difficulty passing A&P and Microbiology. To help insure the chances for student success in these 200-level courses, the Biology Department at Glendale Community College has developed two tools so that students without BIO 156 or 181 can evaluate their preparation and make the best choice as to which is the most appropriate initial college biology course.

Option 1:
Students who have taken BIO 156 or BIO 181 with a C or better can register for BIO 201 or 205 without any additional stipulations.

Option 2:
Students who have taken a year of high school biology with a C or better will need to take the "Self-Assessment for BIO 201 and 205" before they can enroll in BIO 201 or 205 at GCC. This computerized, multiple choice exam is given in the High Tech Center 1 (HT1) building in room HT1-143. Students will need to bring a photo ID. The self-assessment may be taken only one time. The current hours for computerized testing are listed below and can be verified at http://www.gccaz.edu/calendar/testing/ or by calling 623-845-3267. Before enrolling in BIO 201 or 205, students will be required to discuss their assessment score with a GCC academic advisor.

Option 3:
Students who have not had high school biology and have not passed BIO 156 or BIO 181 with a grade of C or better must enroll in BIO 156 or BIO 181(BIO 156 recommended) unless they score 70% or higher “BIO 156 Waiver Exam.” This 100 question multiple choice exam can be taken in the Testing and Disability Center (TDS). The student must bring a scantron, number 2 pencil, and photo ID. The exam may be taken only one time. The current hours for this testing are listed below and can be verified at http:/www.gccaz.edu/studentservices/7149.htm

The recommended text for review is Biology: Concepts and Connections. Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon, and Dickey. 6th edition. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Publishers (Chapters 1-12). It is on reserve in the GCC Library. The concepts covered in BIO 156 and included on the waiver exam and the self-assessment are outlined in the course competencies and outline below.

BIO 156 MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

  1. Describe principles of scientific method. (I)
  2. Describe fundamental characteristics of living matter. (I)
  3. Describe principles of biological chemistry. (II)
  4. Describe prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function. (III, IV)
  5. Describe human histology including a survey of basic tissue types, their structure, and function. (V)
  6. Describe principles of cell metabolism and energy utilization. (VI, VII)
  7. Describe the structure, growth, and human impact of bacteria and viruses. (VIII)
  8. Describe structure and replication of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and chromosomes. (IX)
  9. Describe gene structure and protein synthesis. (X)
  10. Describe cell reproduction in eukaryotes. (XI)
  11. Describe principles of Mendelian genetics as they apply to inheritance in humans. (XII)
  12. Apply general concepts to selected topics in human biology. (XIII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

I. Biology Concepts
      A. Principles of scientific method
      B. Fundamental characteristics of living matter
            1. Levels of organization
            2. Responsiveness and homeostasis
            3. Metabolism
            4. Reproduction and heredity

II. Biological Chemistry
      A. Composition of matter
      B. Atomic structure and theory
      C. Chemical bonding and molecules
            1. Salts and pH
            2. Characteristics of water
      D. Organic and biological molecules
            1. Structure
            2. Function

III. Cell Theory
      A. Cell anatomy and function
      B. Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

IV. Cell Membranes
      A. Membrane structure
      B. Membrane function and cell transport

V. Human Histology - Structure and Function
      A. Epithelial
      B. Connective
      C. Muscular
      D. Nervous

VI. Cell Energy and Metabolism
      A. Chemical energy
      B. Enzymes
            1. Structure
            2. Function
      C. Metabolism
            1. Biochemical pathways
            2. Feedback and metabolic regulation

VII. Cell Energy Utilization
      A. Photosynthesis
            1. Light reactions
            2. Dark reactions
      B. Anaerobic metabolism
            1. Glycolysis
            2. Fermentation
      C. Aerobic metabolism
            1. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) (Krebs) cycle
            2. Electron transport

VIII. Bacteria and Viruses
      A. Bacteria
            1. Structure
            2. Growth
            3. Human impact
      B. Viruses
            1. Structure
            2. Growth
            3. Human impact

IX. Chromosomes and DNA
      A. Chromosome structure
      B. DNA structure
      C. DNA and chromosome replication

X. Gene Structure and Protein Synthesis
      A. Gene structure and regulation
      B. Protein synthesis

XI. Cell Reproduction (Eukaryotic)
      A. Cell cycle and mitosis
      B. Meiosis and recombination

XII. Mendelian Genetics and Human Inheritance
      A. Law of segregation and Punnett squares
      B. Law of independent assortment
      C. Karyotyping and chromosomal mutations
      D. Inherited gene mutations

XIII. Selected Topics in Human Biology

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Last updated 13 December, 2008