Mission Statement

The mission of the Biology Department at Galveston College is to provide an outstanding learning environment, exemplary advising, and ready access and interaction between faculty and students. To accomplish this goal, the Biology faculty integrates education in biological sciences, scholarship, and service to actively engage students and to foster their development as lifelong learners.

Department Faculty

Dr. Srirajya Rudrabhatla
Dr.  Alex Peniche
Dr.  Emily Stinemetz

Degree Plans in Biology include Associate of Science Degrees in:

• Pre-Professional Health: Full-Time or Part-Time Paths
• Biology: Full-Time or Part-Time Paths
  Pre-medical, Pre-dental, and Pre-veterinary

Courses offered include: 

• General Biology I (BIOL 1406)
• General Biology II (BIOL 1407)
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy I (BIOL 1322)
• Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2401)
• Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2402)
• Microbiology for Science Majors (BIOL 2421)

BIOL 1322 NUTRITION AND DIET THERAPY I

Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy, MATH 0300.
Study of chemical, physical, and sensory properties of food; nutritional quality; and food use and diet applications.

BIOL 1406 GENERAL BIOLOGY I

Credit: 4
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy, MATH 0300.
The first of a two-semester course surveying interdisciplinary studies and principles to explore the scientific methodology and frameworks for understanding biological systems. This course focuses on basic concepts related to chemistry of inorganic and organic molecules, cell structure and function, metabolism, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian patterns of inheritance, DNA and chromosomal organization and function, gene activity, biotechnology, evolution, origin and history of life. It includes a practical laboratory with emphasis on the application of fundamental principles of biology as well as critical thinking.

BIOL 1407 GENERAL BIOLOGY II

Credit: 4
Prerequisites: BIOL 1406.
The second of a two-semester course surveying interdisciplinary studies and principles to explore classification, evolution, and comparative-level organization of living systems. This course focuses on basic concepts related to microbiology and evolution of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, plant structure and function, invertebrates and vertebrates, comparative animal biology and organ systems, and ecology. It includes a practical laboratory with emphasis on the application of fundamental principles of biology as well as critical thinking.

BIOL 2401 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I

Credit: 4
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy, MATH 0300
Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the neuroendocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Content may be either integrated or specialized. The first of a two-semester course sequence introducing the normal structure and function of the human body, its cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. Major body systems to be studied in this course include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. This course serves as a foundation for students of Associate Degree Nursing, Allied Health disciplines and physical education majors.

BIOL 2402 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II

Credit: 4
Prerequisites: BIOL 2401 with a grade of “C” or better
Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the neuroendocrine, integumentary, musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Content may be either integrated or specialized. The second of a two-semester course sequence introducing the normal structure and function of the human body, its cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. Major body systems to be studied in this course include the endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems. This course serves as a foundation for students of Associate Degree Nursing, Allied Health disciplines and physical education majors.

BIOL 2421 MICROBIOLOGY FOR SCIENCE MAJORS

Credit: 4
Prerequisites: BIOL 1406 or BIOL 2401
Principles of microbiology, including metabolism, structure, function, genetics, and phylogeny of microbes. The course will also examine the interactions of microbes with each other, hosts, and the environment. Study of the morphology, physiology, and taxonomy of representative groups of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Pure cultures of microorganisms grown on selected media are used in learning laboratory techniques. Includes a brief preview of food microbes, public health, and immunology.

The transfer curriculum below is designed for students who plan to pursue a degree in Biology at a senior college or university after completing their studies at Galveston College.*

Upon successful completion of the prescribed courses, the student will be eligible to graduate from Galveston College with an Associate of Science degree.

Degree Audit Program Code: AS-BIOLOGY

Notes:
*Degree requirements may vary among different senior institutions. Students should consult an advisor for specific course selection.
# Select any academic elective as most technical or workforce courses will not satisfy elective hour requirements.
^This degree plan assumes that students have been placed into Calculus. Students not meeting this requirement should consult with their advisor for placement into foundation courses.
+Denotes Courses required for the Biology Field of Study Curriculum as adopted by the State of Texas for Biology majors who attend a public higher education institution in Texas.
1HIST 2301 may be substituted for either HIST 1301 or HIST 1302.
3 Select one course from ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, COMM 2366, DRAM 1310, DRAM 2366, HUMA 1301, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1310.
4 Select one course from ARTS 1304, DRAM 2361, DRAM 2362, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, HUMA 1302, PHIL 1301, PHIL 2306, or PHIL 2307.
7Select one course from CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1307, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, KINE 1304, KINE 1346, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, or SOCI 1306.

The transfer curriculum below is designed for students who plan to pursue a degree in Biology and continue their education in Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, or Pre-Veterinary at a senior college or university after completing their studies at Galveston College.*

Upon successful completion of the prescribed courses, the student will be eligible to graduate from Galveston College with an Associate of Science degree.

Degree Audit Program Code: AS-PRE-HEALTH

Notes:
*Degree requirements may vary among different senior institutions. Students should consult an advisor for specific course selection.
1  HIST 2301 may be substituted for either HIST 1301 or HIST 1302.
2  Select one course from MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1332, 1342, 2312, 2413, 2414, or PSYC 2317
3  Select one course from ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, COMM 2366, DRAM 1310, DRAM 2366, HUMA 1301, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1310.
4  Select one course from ARTS 1304, DRAM 2361, DRAM 2362, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, HUMA 1302, PHIL 1301, PHIL 2306, or PHIL 2307.
7  Select one course from CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1307, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, KINE 1304, KINE 1346, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, or SOCI 1306.
11PHYS 1401 or PHYS 1402.

Khanacademy.org

Hhmi.org

Biology.arizona.edu

Learn.genetics.utah.edu