Non-Bio Majors
BioSci Courses for Non-majors

CATEGORY II, Natural Sciences

For a list of currently offered courses, please see the Schedule of Classes (WebSoc) and select "Breadth Courses Options" "II: Natural Sciences" and then select "Department Name" of "Bio Sci."

Select any three courses from the following Bio Sci classes:

1A-B Life Sciences (4-4) F, W, S. Lecture, three hours. A two-quarter integrated sequence designed to introduce nonmajors to the basic concepts of modern biology. 1A : Discussion of evolutionary biology, ecology, molecular biology, and genetics. 1B : Cell and behavioral biology including plant structure and function, photosynthesis, and animal physiology. Prerequisite for 1B: Biological Sciences 1A. Open to nonmajors only. (II)

5 Introduction to Molecular Biology (4). Lecture, three hours. Molecules of life, with emphasis on medical applications. Open to nonmajors only. No credit given for Biological Sciences 5 if taken after Biological Sciences 99. (II)

6 Tropical Biology: Race to Save the Tropics (4). Lecture, three hours. Population growth combines with tropical resource consumption by industrialized nations to cause high rates of deforestation, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and extinction of species. Discusses tropical biomes, their population, community, and ecosystem processes, and possible means of conservation of biodiversity. (II)

8A Human Genetics (4). Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. This survey course in human genetics includes an introduction to basic genetic concepts including family studies, chromosomes, molecular genetics of human disease, and an analysis of the Human Genome Project. Special emphasis is given to ethical and social issues. (II)

9A Nutrition Science (4) F, W, S. Lecture, three hours. An introduction to nutrition science, integrating concepts from biology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, and psychology to explain the interaction between nutrients and the human body. Biological basis of nutrient standards is analyzed. Effects of nutrition, behavior, exercises on health/disease. (II)

9B Biology and Chemistry of Food and Cooking (4) W. Lecture, three hours. The kitchen is used as a laboratory to introduce fundamental principles of biology, chemistry, and physics. A molecular/cellular analysis of cooking, including concepts such as protein structure, browning reactions, colloids, emulsions, carbohydrate metabolism, and development of flavor/texture through biochemical transformations. (II)

9C Biotech Basics (4). Lecture, three hours. An overview of current biotechnology. Discusses the biological/molecular basis of novel therapies for diseases, modification of human genes, human genome project, cloning, DNA fingerprinting, and genetically modified food. Targeted for students interested in modern breakthroughs in biology. (II)

9D Diseases of the Twenty-First Century (4) F, S. Why do we get sick? An introduction to the biological basis of human disease, including diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems. Case studies present diagnosis, treatment, and prevention protocols. Inheritable and infectious diseases also discussed. (II)

9E Horticulture Science (4). Lecture, two hours; laboratory two hours; field work, one weekend day per quarter. Scientific principles of horticulture at the UCI Arboretum. Taxonomy, plant life history strategies; experiments with seed dormancy; morphological adaptations for specialized sexual and clonal reproduction; basics of plant propagation and ecological restoration. Laboratory fee. (II)

9F Current Issues in Biology: A Problem-Based Learning Approach (4). Students explore in-depth several complex biological and interdisciplinary issues using problem-based learning. The main techniques for learning course material are group discussion, research, projects, and presentations. Attendance and group participation are mandatory. Prerequisites: Biological Sciences 1A-B or Biological Sciences 94 and 96. (II)

9G Way Your Body Works (4). An introduction to the basic mechanisms that control the organ systems of the human body, including the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive systems. Emphasis is on how the body works normally, but includes how these processes fail in disease. (II)

9J Biology of Oriental Medicine (4). With lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on learning, the theory and practice of herbal medicine, acupuncture, qigong, and manipulative therapies are explained in Western biomedical terms. The latest basic and clinical research advances in each area are also described. Biological Sciences 9J and 9H may not both be taken for credit. (II)

9K Global Change Biology (4). Addresses ways in which humans are altering the global environment, with consequences for the ecology of animals, plants, and microbes. Discussion on how these biologically-oriented questions relate to human society, politics, and the economy. (II)

9M The Biosphere (4). An introduction to the role of biological processes in the earth system. Topics will span the functioning of cells, organisms, ecosystems, and the global biosphere, including an introduction to evolution, terrestrial and marine organismal biology, and principles of ecology and biogeochemistry. (II)

10 The Biology of Human Diseases (4). Lecture, three hours. Introduction to concepts of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of major human infectious diseases. Covers some aspects of epidemiology. Scope and impact of infectious diseases in the present and past experiences in controlling infectious disease. Reviews the biology of human organ systems. Open to nonmajors only. (II)

11 Topics in Biological Sciences (4) F, W, S. Studies in selected areas of biological sciences. May be taken for credit three times as topics vary. (II)

15 Botany (4) F. Lecture, three hours. Structure and function of flowering plants related to their roles in ecology and human needs. (II)

20 California Natural History (4) F. Lecture, three hours. Introduction to ecological relationships within a variety of California habitats. Explores aspects of the physical environments and the adaptations of organisms to their physical and biological surroundings in habitats such as the coastal zone, mountains, and deserts. (II)

35 The Brain and Behavior (4). Lecture, three hours. Introduction to how the brain works. Biological processes underlying perception, movement, sleep-wake cycles, motivation, language, learning, and memory. Changes in the brain associated with sex differences, drug use, aging, seasons, and time of day. Fundamental properties of the nervous system. Open to nonmajors only. (II)

36 Drugs and the Brain (4). Lecture, three hours. Introduction to the actions of drugs on the brain. How studying drug action helps to reveal normal functions of neurons. How drugs can correct neural disorders or disrupt neural function. Biological issues related to drug abuse, drug addiction, and drug seeking. Open to nonmajors only. (II)

37 Brain Dysfunction and Repair (4). Lecture, three hours. Introduction to the disruptions in brain function that underlie disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism, schizophrenia, and depression, and the basis for drug therapies. The brain's ability to repair itself after damage and the pros and cons of that repair. Open to nonmajors only. (II)

38 Mind, Memory, Amnesia, and the Brain (4) S. Lecture, three hours. Introduction to neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Emphasis on molecular changes that mediate memory as well as structures involved in different forms of memory. Additionally, the biology of memory phenomena, from extraordinary memory to false memory to amnesia is examined. Open to nonmajors only. (II)

45 AIDS Fundamentals (4) F, W. Lecture, three hours. Considers the biological and sociological bases of the AIDS epidemic. Topics include the history of AIDS, current medical knowledge, transmission, risk reduction, and how the community can respond. Same as Environmental Analysis and Design E45U and Psychology and Human Behavior P45. (II)

55 Introduction to Ecology (4). Lecture, three hours. Principles of ecology; application to populations, communities, ecosystems, and humans. Open to nonmajors only. No credit given for Biological Sciences 55 if taken after Biological Sciences 96. (II)

65 Biodiversity and Conservation (4) W. Lecture, three hours. A biological perspective on the current environmental crisis. The origin, evolution, and value of biological diversity. Extinction and depletion caused by overexploitation, habitat loss, and pollution. Conservation through habitat preservation and restoration, captive breeding, cryopreservation. (II)