Harper College Biology Courses: A Comprehensive Overview
Harper College offers a robust selection of biology courses designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the life sciences. These courses cater to a diverse range of students, including those pursuing biology majors, pre-professional programs, and those seeking to fulfill general education requirements. The curriculum is structured to build upon foundational knowledge, progressing from cellular biology to more advanced topics such as anatomy, organic chemistry, and evolutionary biology. This article provides a detailed overview of the biology courses offered at Harper College, highlighting their content, prerequisites, and intended audience.
First Semester Courses
BIO 115: Fundamentals of Cellular Biology (4 Credit Hours)
This introductory course lays the groundwork for understanding life at the molecular and cellular levels. BIO 115 explores the fundamental processes that occur within organisms, focusing on:
- Chemical and Molecular Aspects of Life: This section delves into the basic chemistry essential for understanding biological processes, including the structure and function of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
- Cellular Metabolism: Students learn about the intricate biochemical pathways that cells use to generate energy and synthesize essential molecules. Topics include glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Genetic Information Flow: This component explores how genetic information is stored, replicated, and expressed within cells. Key topics include DNA structure, DNA replication, transcription, and translation.
- Theory of Inheritance: Students are introduced to the principles of Mendelian genetics and how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
- Genetic Engineering: This section provides an overview of the techniques and applications of genetic engineering, including recombinant DNA technology and gene therapy.
- Principles of Physiology: Basic physiological principles are introduced, providing a foundation for understanding how cells and organ systems function.
BIO 115 is the first course in a two-semester sequence designed for biology majors and pre-professional students. To receive full credit, students must complete the entire sequence at Harper College before transferring to another institution. The course includes laboratory experiments that complement the lecture material. These experiments involve:
- Volumetric and gravimetric analyses
- Qualitative study of reactions
- Visible spectrophotometry
- Problem-based analyses
Prerequisites: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options. ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score.
Class Schedule: Fall 2025
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MTH 200: Calculus I (5 Credit Hours)
While not a biology course, Calculus I is often a recommended or required course for biology majors due to its importance in modeling biological phenomena. Topics covered include:
- Limits
- Continuity
- Derivatives
- Antiderivatives
- Definite integrals
These concepts are applied to algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. The course also includes applications to geometry, science, and engineering.
CHM 122: General Chemistry II (5 Credit Hours)
As the second semester of a general chemistry sequence, CHM 122 builds upon the concepts introduced in CHM 121. It is intended for science majors and pre-professionals who require a full year of general chemistry. The course covers:
- Chemical kinetics
- Equilibrium
- Acid-base reactions
- Electrochemistry
- Thermodynamics
- Introduction to organic, nuclear, transition metal, and descriptive chemistry
The laboratory component includes experiments that reinforce the lecture material.
Prerequisite: CHM 121 (General Chemistry I) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.
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Class Schedule: Fall 2025
ENG 102: Composition II (3 Credit Hours)
A core course in the college's curriculum, ENG 102, builds upon skills learned in ENG 101. The course focuses on:
- Reading literature
- Writing various types of prose
- Introducing methods used in writing investigative papers
Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair.
Class Schedule: Fall 2025
Second Semester Courses
BIO XXX: Organismal Biology (Not explicitly named BIO 116 but follows BIO 115)
This course, typically taken in the second semester, builds upon the foundation established in BIO 115. It covers:
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- Organismal Diversity
- Mechanisms of Micro and Macroevolution
- Animal Behavior
- Dynamics and Organization of Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems
This course is the second in a two-semester sequence designed for biology majors and pre-professionals. Completion of the entire sequence at Harper College is necessary to guarantee credit transfer.
Prerequisite: BIO 115 (Fundamentals of Cellular Biology) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.
Class Schedule: Fall 2025
Third Semester Courses
BIO 260: Human Anatomy (4 Credit Hours)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the anatomy of the human body. The following systems are studied either regionally or systemically:
- Integumentary
- Skeletal
- Articular
- Muscular
- Circulatory
- Lymphatic
- Nervous
- Respiratory
- Digestive
- Excretory
- Endocrine
- Reproductive
The course also includes an introduction to histology. BIO 260 is specifically designed for students in health careers, biology, and physical education.
Recommended Preparation: One year of high school biology with a grade of C or better taken within the last five years, or BIO 110.
Class Schedule: Fall 2025
CHM 205: Organic Chemistry II (5 Credit Hours)
CHM 205 is the second semester of a two-semester organic chemistry sequence. It builds upon the concepts introduced in CHM 204 and delves deeper into the nomenclature, stereochemistry, reactions, and mechanisms of various functional groups, including:
- Conjugated dienes
- Aromatics
- Alcohols
- Ethers
- Aldehydes
- Ketones
- Carboxylic acids and their derivatives
- Nitrogen-containing compounds
The laboratory component includes syntheses, qualitative organic analyses, NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, HPLC, polarimetry, and refractometry. This course is primarily intended for science majors and pre-professionals.
Prerequisite: CHM 204 with a grade of C or better.
Class Schedule: Fall 2025
Additional Courses
BIO 261: Human Physiology (4 Credit Hours)
This course delves into the function of the human body. The following systems are studied in detail:
- Skeletal
- Muscular
- Circulatory
- Nervous
- Digestive
- Respiratory
- Urinary
- Reproductive
- Endocrine
Special applications are made to meet the needs of students in health careers, biology, and physical education.
Prerequisite: BIO 260 with a grade of C or better.
Class Schedule: Fall 2025
MTH 225: Business Statistics (4 Credit Hours)
This course focuses on the application of statistical concepts as decision-making tools, with an emphasis on business-related applications. Topics include:
- Descriptive statistics
- Probability theory
- Inferential methods including chi-square tests, regression analysis, and ANOVA
The course requires the use of technology-based computations, such as graphing calculators with a statistical package, spreadsheets, or statistical computing software. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation and evaluation of statistical results. Topics include data collection processes, descriptive methods using quantitative and qualitative data, bivariate data, correlation, and least squares regression, basic probability theory, probability distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests using p-values.
Prerequisite: MTH 103 with a grade of C or better, or other placement options including registration in MTH 124, MTH 134, MTH 140, MTH 200 or higher.
SPE 101: Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 Credit Hours)
This course focuses on the theory and practice of oral communications. Students develop poise, confidence, and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis is placed on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism, and selection and organization of material.
General Information
Harper College provides comprehensive information about its courses, including course content, methodology, and objectives, in accordance with Illinois law. Course outlines are maintained for all courses listed in the Catalog. Many course descriptions specify prerequisites, such as satisfactory completion of a specific course or instructor consent. Students who enroll in a course without meeting the prerequisites may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor's request.
Transfer Planning
The provided information meets the requirements for an Associate in Science degree and aligns with the Illinois Articulation Initiative biological sciences baccalaureate major recommendations. Students should determine their specialization within the biological sciences major as early as possible, ideally by the beginning of their sophomore year. Students following this plan and requiring financial aid should choose the Associate in Science major. Transfer institution requirements may vary, and students should verify individual college/university requirements before completing the outlined plan. Baccalaureate admission may be competitive.
Humanities and Fine Arts & Social and Behavioral Science Requirements
Students are required to take courses in Humanities and Fine Arts (13 hours) and Social and Behavioral Science (2-3 hours) to fulfill degree requirements. The specific courses within these categories may vary depending on the student's interests and transfer institution requirements.
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