Biology
21 courses · Berkeley City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
BIOL 1A General Biology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 001A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 190; BIOL 130S, BIOL 135S=BIOL 1A + BIOL 1B
Introduction to general biology: Cell structure and function, metabolism, molecular and organismal genetics, and animal physiology.
BIOL 1B General Biology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 001A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 130S, BIOL 135S=BIOL 1A + BIOL 1B
Continuation of BIOL 1A: Origin of life, evolution, classification, plant structure and function, and ecology.
BIOL 3 Microbiology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 030A or CHEM 032
- Advisory
- BIOL 010
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Survey of the various microscopic agents of particular importance to humans: Emphasis on microbes involved in infectious diseases, host defenses against diseases, elements of infectious chains and means utilized for breaking the chains.
BIOL 4 Human Physiology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 030A or CHEM 032
- Advisory
- BIOL 002
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 120B
Detailed study of human body function: Molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems, basic anatomy essential to understanding function, physical and chemical factors and processes, selected human diseases. Laboratory work includes computer simulations and interactive programs, physiological experiments and demonstrations, and use of microscopes.
BIOL 10 Introduction to Biology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Fundamentals of biology for the non-major: Scientific inquiry, biological chemistry, cell structure and function, DNA and genetics, evolution and ecology, and an overview of living organisms. Includes laboratory exercises designed to complement lectures
BIOL 13 Principles of Ecology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study of the interaction of humans with the living world around them: The nature of the biological world and how it works; and the problems of overpopulation, pollution, and environmental deterioration.
BIOL 13L Principles of Ecology and Sustainable Systems Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- BIOL 013
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Not open for credit to students who have completed Envmt 2L (or Envst 11L) or are currently enrolled in Envmt 2L at Merritt. Field laboratory course which identifies, measures, and tests the sustainable environmental principles discussed in ENVMT 2 or BIOL 13: Qualitative and macro/micro quantitative methods, identifying and sustaining ecosystems, nutrient cycling, geographical and aquatic ecology, population dynamics, water and energy systems, air pollution and hazardous waste, and farming methods and use of pesticides.
BIOL 25 Human Biology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Principles of life sciences through study of biological structures and functions of the human organism: Human genetics, evolution, ecology, sexual differences and comparisons, development and growth, and survey of body systems. Not open for credit for students who have completed or are currently enrolled in BIOL 25A.
BIOL 25A Human Biology with Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Principles of life sciences through study of biological structures and functions of the human organism: Human genetics, evolution, ecology, sexual differences and comparisons, development and growth, and survey of body systems; laboratory exercises designed to complement lectures. Not open for credit to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in BIOL 025.
BIOL 32 Scientific Literature and Writing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AS or ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E
- Advisory
- BIOL 010 or BIOL 001A or BIOL 025A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Analytical assessment and critique of scientific and technical writing: Evaluation of logic, experimental design, data, and conclusions in selected papers; writing clear scientific protocols and research papers, and development of oral presentations.
BIOL 33 Immunology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 003
- Advisory
- BIOL 050A or BIOL 010 or BIOL 001A and placement into transfer level math through multiple measures assessment process
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Principles of immunology: innate and adaptive immune responses, mucosal immunity, vaccines and vaccination, immune deficiencies, hypersensitivities, autoimmunity, cancer, immune based therapies and applications to medicine and biotechnology; laboratory includes technologies relevant to clinical and research immunology including immunoelectrophoresis, ELISA, HLA typing, tissue culture, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.
BIOL 34 Genetics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 001A or BIOL 010 and CHEM 001A or CHEM 030A
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL 001AS or ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Principles of molecular and human genetics: Transfer and expression of genetic information, structure and replication of DNA, gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, mutation and chromosomal damage, population and evolutionary genetics, recombinant DNA methodology; research, clinical and industrial applications of biotechnology.
BIOL 34L Genetics Laboratory
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 5 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 001A or BIOL 010 and CHEM 001A or CHEM 030A
- Advisory
- BIOL 034 and placement into transfer level math through multiple measures assessment process
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Laboratory class to accompany BIOL 034: Isolation and purification of DNA and RNA, gel electrophoresis, PCR, cloning and transformation, Southern blotting, analysis of gene expression using qPCR and NGS, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, RNA interference, CRISPR Cas9, karyotyping, identification of transposable elements and analysis of inherited traits.
BIOL 49 Independent Study in Biological Sciences
- Units
- .5-5
- Hours
- .5 - 5 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
In-depth exploration of an area or problem of the student's choice not covered by regular catalog offerings in Biology. Student must obtain approval from an appropriate faculty member. For more details, see the section on independent study in the college catalog.
BIOL 50A Introductory Biotechnology with Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 001A or BIOL 010 and CHEM 001A or CHEM 030A
- Advisory
- ENGL 1A or ENGL 001AS or ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E and placement into transfer level math through multiple measures assessment process
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOT 101B X
Introduction to the field of biotechnology: History and current medical and industrial products, government oversight, ethical issues; introduction to cell and molecular biology, standard laboratory equipment, techniques and practices, metrology, laboratory mathematics, media and buffer preparation, cloning, microbiological techniques, gel electrophoresis, chromatography, PCR, bioinformatics, safety, hazardous waste disposal and good laboratory practices.
BIOL 50B Protein Chemistry and Fermentation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 050A and CHEM 030A or CHEM 001A
- Advisory
- BIOL 010 or BIOL 001A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOT 220 X
Introduction to protein chemistry: Isolation and purification of proteins, chromatography technologies, protein activity assays, gel electrophoresis and staining methods, immunoblotting, fermentation and bioassays.
BIOL 50C Stem Cell Biology and Advanced Molecular Techniques
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 001A or BIOL 010 and BIOL 050A
- Advisory
- BIOL 032 and BIOL 033 and ENGL 1A or ENGL 001AS or ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E and placement into transfer level math through multiple measures assessment process
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to stem cells and their applications: culture, maintenance and differentiation of embryonic, adult and induced stem cells; advanced experimental techniques and research methods including histological and immunofluorescent staining, flow cytometry, RNA extraction, RNA sequencing using NGS, TUNEL assay, SDS PAGE and western blotting, statistics and bioinformatics.
BIOL 50D Cell and Tissue Culture
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 001A or BIOL 010 and BIOL 050A
- Advisory
- placement into transfer level math through multiple measures assessment process
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOT 230 X
Introduction to mammalian cell culture: Maintaining and passaging cell lines, aseptic technique, working in laminar flow hoods, making and sterilizing media, identifying contaminants, determining cell concentration and growth curves, working with adherent, non- adherent and stem cells, STR DNA profiling, transfection and fluorescent microscopy.
BIOL 51 Introduction to Bioinformatics
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 034, BIOL 034L
- Advisory
- CIS 005 or CIS 006, BIOL 050A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to bioinformatics: Computational technologies used to analyze and interpret biological data; World Wide Web databases; sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees; structural biology; proteomics and drug design.
BIOL 118 Introduction to Environmental Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENVS 100
Introduction to Environmental Science: Examination of the scientific evidence informing our understanding of the causes and consequences of human impacts on the environment; application of tools, principles, and quantitative reasoning from the natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering and technology to study and evaluate sustainable solutions to environmental degradation and resource depletion.
BIOL 484A Work Experience in Biotechnology
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 - 12 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised employment in biotechnology or a related field: Develop desirable work habits, become a productive, responsible individual, and extend education experience with on the job training. A maximum of 14 units may be earned during one enrollment period.