SRJC Course Outlines

12/5/2024 8:26:18 PMBIO 13 Course Outline as of Fall 2025

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  BIO 13Title:  HUMAN BIOLOGY  
Full Title:  Human Biology
Last Reviewed:1/25/2021

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Survey course primarily for students not majoring in biological sciences, presenting topics from biology dealing specifically with humans. Topics include cellular biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, evolution, and human impacts on the environment. Not an anatomy and physiology course.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 OR EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10) or equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Survey course primarily for students not majoring in biological sciences, presenting topics from biology dealing specifically with humans. Topics include cellular biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, evolution, and human impacts on the environment. Not an anatomy and physiology course.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 OR EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10) or equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1981
Inactive: 
 Area:C
Natural Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 B2Life ScienceFall 1981
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 5BBiological SciencesFall 1981
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Apply the scientific method and critical thinking techniques to evaluate biological information from the popular media.
2. Apply information about biological processes to human health issues.
3. Investigate the impacts of human population growth and resource use on the environment and human species.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.   Describe the structure of atoms, molecules, and biological polymers, and relate their significance to cell structure and function, anatomy, physiology, genetics and evolution.
2.   Relate knowledge of cell structure to metabolism, cell respiration and organ function.
3.   Examine structures and functions of cell membranes.
4.   Compare and contrast methods of cellular reproduction (mitosis and meiosis) and their significance.
5.   Explain how DNA codes for proteins, how the code is translated by the cell, and the relationship of genes to specific traits and inheritance.
6.   Compare and contrast the different inheritance patterns observed in human traits, and analyze these patterns using pedigrees.
7.   Compare and contrast the structures and functions of human tissues, organs, and organ systems.
8.   Describe the mechanisms of evolution, adaptation, and speciation.
9.   Relate the principles of genetics to the processes of evolution.
10. Differentiate scientific reasoning and facts from other ways of constructing beliefs.
11. Evaluate the impacts of human population growth and resource use, as a whole and by country, on the environment and the human species.
12. Describe and objectively analyze current news and research on human biology.

Topics and Scope
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I. Scientific Method
II. Cell Biology
    A. Cell chemistry
         1. Atomic structure
         2. Molecular bonding
         3. Acids/bases/pH
         4. Macromolecule structure and function
         5. Enzyme structure and function
    B. Cell structure and ultra structure
         1. Eukaryotic cell organelles and their functions
         2. Cell membrane structure and transport functions
    C. Cell respiration
         1. Chemical equation, including relationship of reactants and products to organ systems
         2. Importance of ATP
         3. Aerobic vs. anaerobic respiration
    D. Cellular reproduction
         1. Mitosis
         2. Meiosis including sources of genetic variation
III. Molecular Genetics
    A. DNA replication
    B. Protein synthesis
    C. Mutations and mutagens
    D. Changes in chromosome number and chromosome structure
IV. Transmission Genetics
    A. Mendelian genetics
         1. Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses
         2. Autosomal and sex-linked human genetic disorders
    B. Post-Mendelian genetics
         1. Incomplete dominance and co-dominance
         2. Polygenic inheritance
         3. Sex-influenced traits
    C. Effects of environment on genetic expression
V. Human Organ Systems
    A. Tissues
         1. Structure and function
         2. Organization of organs
    B. Digestive system
         1. Structure and function
         2. Diet and nutrition
    C. Respiratory system
         1. Structure and function
         2. Effects of smoking
    D. Cardiovascular system
         1. Structure and function
         2. Heart and degenerative vascular diseases
    E. Lymphatic system
         1. Circulation of lymph
         2. Infectious diseases, including AIDS
         3. Immunization
    F. Muscular and skeletal systems
         1. Muscle structure and function
         2. Bone growth and development
         3. Joint structure and function
    G. Nervous system structure and function
    H. Urinary system structure and function
    I. Endocrine system structure and function
    J. Reproductive system
         1. Structure and function
         2. Contraception
         3. Sexually transmitted diseases
VI. Human Evolution
    A. Mechanisms of evolution
         1. Natural selection
         2. Genetic drift and gene flow
         3. Mutation
         4. Non-random mating
    B. Speciation and reproductive isolation mechanisms
    C. Evidence for evolution
         1. The fossil record
         2. Comparative anatomy and physiology
         3. Molecular and biochemical evidence
         4. Observation of current populations
         5. Artificial selection
VII. Human Population
    A. Exponential growth
    B. Carrying capacity and limiting factors
    C. Resource use and ecological footprint
    D. Environmental change and its affect on human well-being
VIII. Current Research Topics in Human Biology

Assignments:
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1. Weekly reading including but not limited to scientific papers, handouts, and text assignments (10-50 pages per week)
2. Essay(s) (1-3) or a written term paper (6-10 double-spaced pages)
3. Exams including objective and essay questions (2-4 exams and 1 comprehensive final)  
4. Quizzes (2-10)
5. Participation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
10 - 20%
Essay(s) or written term paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
70 - 90%
Quizzes and exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
Participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Human Biology. 11th ed. Starr, Cecie and McMillan, Beverly, Brooks/Cole. 2016 (classic)
Human Biology. 9th ed. Chiras, Daniel. Jones and Bartlett. 2019
Human Biology. 16th ed. Mader, Silvia and Windelspecht, Michael. McGraw Hill. 2020

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