Biological Sciences

Brief Course Descriptions

• BIO 1215 General Biology, 5 hours
  This course includes three hours of lecture and three hours of lab. It is an introduction to the study of living things, including the nature of science, levels of organization and properties of life, bioenergetics, reproduction, genetics, evolution, classification and ecological/environmental principles.
• BIO 1245 Microbiology, 5 hours
  This course, consisting of three hours lecture & three hours lab, is an introduction to characteristics of microorganisms & methods of studying & controlling them. Prerequisite: General Biology (or BIO 1225) and General Chemistry (or a dedicated chemistry class) taken within the last ten years, both with a grade of C or higher.
• BIO 1255 Anatomy & Physiology, 5 hours
  Integrated study of structure & functions of the human body. 3 hours lecture/3 hours lab. Prereq.: General Biology with a grade of C or higher.
• BIO 1225 Principles of Biology I, 5 hours
  This survey includes three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. This majors’ course is intended to assist students in preparing for careers in science. Topics include basic biochemical properties of living organisms; cellular structure, processes, and functions; evolution and life origin; genetics; survey of fungi, protozoa, and bacteria; and biotechnology.
• BIO 1235 Principles of Biology II, 5 hours
  This course includes three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. This majors course is intended to assist students in preparing for careers in science. Lecture topics include organismal growth and development, population genetics and evolution, speciation, phylogeny of organisms and the classification system, structure and function of organs and organ systems, prokaryotes and viruses, survey of the kingdoms fungi, protista, plantae, and animalia, population dynamics and ecology, ecosystems and biomes.
• BIO 2312 Wildflowers of Kansas, 2 hours
  This course is a survey of common wildflowers found in Kansas. Emphasis will be on identifying and collecting plants in Eastern Kansas. Herbarium sheets will be studied for plants out of season. Approximately one-half the time will be spent in the field.
• BIO 2323 Ecology, 3 hours
  This course is a study of the interrelationship of organisms in the community of living things. The natural and man-made environments will be studied—rhythms, cycles, clocks and world biomes. Emphasis will be on man and the consequences of his industrial evolution – population growth, food production, environmental problems and solutions.
• BIO 2713 Field Ecology, 3 hours
  This course is a study of the interrelationships of organisms found in major biological ecosystems in southeast Kansas. Natural history, identification, biogeochemical cycles, ecological theory and field assessment techniques are emphasized.

Career paths for biologists include research, healthcare, environmental management and conservation, education, biotechnology, forensic science, politics, and more! According to the American Institute of Biological Sciences, job growth is expected in a number of areas, biotechnology and molecular biology in particular. Business leaders have begun to address the issue of creating more science and technology jobs in the United States to prevent them from being exported. Visit aibs.org/careers for more information.

Kansas DegreeStats is interactive online tool that reviews cost and earnings data from real graduates for each undergraduate degree program offered at a public college or university in Kansas.

Classes you can take while you are here at FSCC to prepare for your degree in the biological sciences include:

• Principles of Biology I
• Chemistry I
• Principles of Biology II
• Chemistry II
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Physics I
• Microbiology
• Physics II
• Ecology
• College Algebra and/or Calculus

• Apply concepts and terminology in molecular, cellular, organismal, and/or ecological biology.
• Recognize the relationship between structure and function at the following levels: molecular, cellular and organismal
• Synthesize information, demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills using experimental design and the scientific method.