Biological Sciences
15 courses · Butte College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
BIOL 2 Introduction to Human Biology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of biology, focusing on humans as biological organisms. Topics include chemistry, cell and tissue structure, human body structure and function, human genetics, heredity and evolution, and human ecology. An emphasis is placed on the application of principles to current issues, including common human diseases and the impact of humans on the world's ecosystems.
BIOL 5 Ecology and Field Biology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will examine animal and plant species and populations as well as their relationships within communities and ecosystems. Topics include population and community structure, relationships between species, biogeography, and biodiversity. Included is the study of the native plants and animals with an emphasis on Butte County from the valley floor into the adjoining landforms of Northern California. The course includes one field trip per week.
BIOL 7 Sustaining Life on Earth
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will introduce students to the structure of earth's ecosystems and to environmental issues, past and present from a biological science perspective. Students will be able to observe and interpret the relative health of environmental systems, and to connect this to the role of humans in sustaining life on earth. To reach this understanding, students will read classic environmental literature as well as current environmental literature. The course will include discussions, field trips and guest speakers as well as student involvement in a campus or local environmental effort. During this course students will be encouraged to recognize that their lives are dependent upon the environment, and that their personal decisions affect the entire natural world. Graded only.
BIOL 9 Current Issues in Biology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to basic biological principles and how each of these principles apply to current events. Biological principles include the scientific method, biological chemistry, cellular structure and internal mechanisms, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Topics covered will follow a predetermined theme in biology.
BIOL 10 Survey of Human Systems
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is intended for students in programs such as Emergency Medical Services and Health Information Management. Topics include fundamentals of the structure and function of the human body from an organ system perspective: Key concepts and basic principles of the chemistry of life, cells and tissues, cell physiology, structural organization and physiological principles in organ systems, system integration, and homeostasis in health and disease. (Not intended for Nursing students).
BIOL 15 Introduction to Microbiology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 34 hours lecture, 34 hours activity, 51 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1 or CHEM 51 and One year high school biology or BIOL C1000 or BIOL 2 or BIOL 20 or BIOL 21
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course includes the study of the structure and function of viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists, with emphasis on the predominant pathogenic members of those groups. Study of basic organic chemistry, genetics, metabolism, microbe-host interactions, the immune response and etiological factors involved in disease are also included. Methods of detection, identification, isolation, culture, enumeration, and control of microbes are provided. Graded only.
BIOL 20 Human Anatomy
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 110B
Structural organization of the human body: gross and microscopic structure of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems, from cellular to organ system levels of organization. This course is primarily intended for nursing, allied health, kinesiology, and other health related majors. (C-ID BIOL 110B).
BIOL 21 Human Physiology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 20 and CHEM 1 or CHEM 51
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 120B
Study of the physiological principles, function, integration and homeostasis of the human body at the cellular, tissue, organ, organ system and organism level: integumentary system, bone, skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles, nervous system, sensory organs, cardiovascular system, lymphatic and immune systems, respiratory system, urinary system, digestive system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. This course is primarily intended for Nursing, Allied Health, Kinesiology, and other health related majors. (C-ID BIOL 120B).
BIOL 30 Anatomical Preparations
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 17 hours lecture, 25.5 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 20
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course students dissect a human cadaver and prepare anatomical specimens for use in Butte College Human Anatomy classes. Students will learn proper dissection techniques and pertinent details of the human form needed to complete quality dissection work.
BIOL 41 Cell and Molecular Biology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1 and Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 190/BIOL 135S
This course is an introductory study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function as well as basic viral structure and reproduction. Attention is given to life processes within cells and to interactions between cells. Coverage includes experimental design and statistical analysis; basic biotechnology concepts and techniques; DNA structure, function, and gene expression; enzyme function; energetics; nutrient cycles in ecosystems; transport mechanisms; cytoskeletal components; cell communication (including nerve impulse conduction and signal transduction); cell reproduction; Mendelian and population genetics; cell evolution; and modern concepts of molecular biology. This course is designed for biology majors. (C-ID BIOL 190/BIOL 135S).
BIOL 42 Organismal Biology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 130S/BIOL 135S
This course is intended for majors and includes a survey of the biology and diversity of organisms and emphasizes classification, structure and function of organisms. (C-ID BIOL 130S/BIOL 135S).
BIOL 43 Ecology and Evolution
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BIOL 130S/BIOL 135S
This course, intended for majors, examines the basic principles governing evolution of organisms and interactions between organisms and the environment, and emphasizes ecological principles and mechanisms of evolution. (C-ID BIOL 130S/BIOL 135S).
BIOL 95 Special Studies-BIOL
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 51-153 hours independent study
- Prerequisite
- Permission of instructor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in researching an area in the student's academic major. Any student interested in registering for a Special Studies course should contact a full-time instructor or chair/coordinator in the appropriate area no later than the last day of the tenth week of instruction. Students may not petition for a Special Studies course until they have completed satisfactorily 12 units of study at Butte College. 51-153 hours Independent Study. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 3.00 units to complete the entire curriculum of the course.
BIOL 99 Work Experience-BIOL
- Units
- 0.5-8
- Hours
- 25.5-408 hours independent study
- Prerequisite
- Permission of Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Work experience is an experiential course where students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work environment. The course offers students the opportunity to develop technical skills, explore possible career choices, build confidence, network with people in the field, and transition into the world of work. Work experience may include paid or unpaid employment. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every fifty-one hours of work experience. Students may enroll in this course up to 8 unit(s) to complete the entire curriculum of the course. A maximum of sixteen units can be earned in work experience courses during a student’s enrollment with Butte College.
BIOL C1000 Introduction to Biology with Lab
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture, 51 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This combined lecture and laboratory course provides the non-biology major with an introduction to living things and their environment. Students use experimentation and investigation to develop important critical thinking skills. Students learn about the process of science, the building blocks of life, the role and regulation of DNA, how populations change over time, the movement of energy within and between life forms, and how species interact with each other and their surroundings. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply an understanding of biological concepts to current issues and their impacts on society.