The Department provides an accessible, affordable high quality biological and health and wellness courses to students. These courses vary from majors’ biology courses to non-major environmental science courses to courses for students seeking A.S. degree programs in the medical fields.  Laboratory experiences are designed for hands-on experience and interactive learning in our state-of- the-art Science complex.

The MDC North Campus Science Complex is an innovative structure of 73,384 square feet costing $25 million.  The three story structure includes new laboratory facilities for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences and Astronomy as well as classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, a greenhouse, an arboretum, a botanical garden and a large plaza area facing the North Campus Lake. Additionally, the Complex includes research facilities for students and faculty on the two laboratory floors. Aside from providing modern facilities for science students, the Science Complex and its grounds also provides the Campus a new outdoor venue for College and community event. The Science Complex has been completed and in operation since the Fall of 2009.

Please click this link for information about Programs associated with these courses.
http://www.mdc.edu/main/science/programs/

Courses offered through this department:

• BOT 1010 Botany - 3 credits
  A survey of the plant kingdom based on a detailed study of the morphology, anatomy and physiology of selected representative specimens.
  Corequisite: BOT 1010L
  
• BOT 1010L Botany Laboratory - 1 credit
  Laboratory for BOT 1010.
  Corequisite: BOT 1010. Laboratory fee.
  
• BSC 1005 General Education Biology - 3 credits
  Selected principles in biological science, including the cell concept, the organization of multi-cellular systems, plants and animals as organized systems, and man in relation to his environment.
  Pre/Corequisite: PSC 1515
  
• BSC 1005L General Education Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
  An optional one-credit lab to provide students with experience in the scientific process. Laboratory fee.
  
• BSC 2010 Principles of Biology I - 3 credits
  The principles of modern biology, including the cell doctrine, the basic physical phenomena of life; an elementary consideration of bioenergetics and biosynthesis; reproduction; the gene concept; the mechanism and evidence of organic evolution; phylogeny; community and population ecology.
  Corequisite: BSC 2010L and CHM 1045
  
• BSC 2010L Principles of Biology Laboratory I - 2 credits
  Laboratory for BSC 2010. Corequisites: BSC 2010 and CHM 1045.
  
• BSC 2011 Principles of Biology II - 3 credits
  The internal aspects of homeostasis, the inter-dependencies of specialized tissues and organ systems in the development of multi-cellular organisms, transport and absorption, gas exchange, body fluid composition control, hormonal regulation, nervous integration and behavior. Prerequisites: BSC 2010, 2010L; corequisites: BSC 2011L and CHM.
  
• BSC 2011L Principles of Biology Laboratory II - 2 credits
  Laboratory for BSC 2011.
  Corequisites: BSC 2011 and 1046. Laboratory fee.
• BSC 2420 Biotechnology - 5 credits
  An introduction to the principles of DNA science. The course includes: the chemical and physical properties of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA), cloning, restriction analysis, gene transfer, DNA replication and expression, plasmids and other vectors, transcription and translation, DNA libraries, polymerase chain reaction. Practical applications of biotechnology will be explored.
  Prerequisites: CHM 1045 and BSC 2010. Special fee.
  
• BSC 2426 Biotechnology Methods and Applications 1 - 3 credits
  This course addresses the basic principles, concepts and techniques of biotechnology necessary for an understanding of the field, and effective work in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology- and/or research laboratory setting(s). Practical applications of biotechnology are explored.
  Prerequisite: Previous knowledge of chemistry and biology strongly recommended;
  Corequisite: BSC 2426L. (3 hr. lecture)
  
• BSC2426L Biotechnology Methods & Applications 1 Laboratory - 2 credits
  This laboratory course is designed to complement BSC 2426 Biotechnology Methods and Applications 1. This is a hands-on course that emphasizes the basic laboratory principles, techniques, and instrumentation, necessary for effective work in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or research laboratory settings(s).
  Prerequisite: Previous knowledge of chemistry and biology strongly recommended.
  Corequisite: BSC 2426. Laboratory fee. (4 hr. lab.)
  
• BSC2427 Biotechnology Methods and Applications 2 - 3 credits
  This course addresses advanced principles, concepts and techniques of biotechnology necessary for an understanding of the field, and effective work in a pharmaceutical biotechnology- and/or research-laboratory setting(s). The following areas of contemporary biotechnology are covered: forensics, bioremediation, and medical-, animal-, plant-, and marine biotechnology.
  Prerequisites: BSC 2426, 2426L.
  Corequisite: BSC 2427L. (3 hr. lecture)
  
• BSC2427L Biotechnology Methods & Applications 2 Laboratory - 2 credits
  This laboratory course is designed to complement BSC 2427 Biotechnology Methods and Applications 2. This is a hands-on course that emphasizes advanced laboratory principles, techniques, and instrumentation necessary for effective work in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or research-laboratory setting(s).
  Prerequisite: BSC 2426, 2426L;
  Corequisite: BSC 2427. Laboratory fee. (4 hr. lab.)
• BSC2943L Bioscience Internship 3-6 credits
  This internship course is a capstone for students majoring in bioscience and related programs. Students will learn to apply acquired knowledge and skills to gain experience in the bioscience workplace. A.S. degree credit only. (144 - 288 hr. internship)
  
• BSC2949 Co-op Work Experience 2 - 3 credits
  This is a course designed to continue training in a student's field of study through work experience. Students are graded on the basis of documentation of learning acquired as reported by student and employer.
  Prerequisite: Co-op Department approval and completion of 1949 Co-op Work Experience.
  Students will be assigned specific course prefixes related to their academic major prior to registration. All students must contact the Co-operative Education Office or department to obtain registration approval. (3 hr. lecture)
  
• BSC 2085 Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 3 credits
  This course covers tissues and cell structure, skeletal system, muscular system, integumentary system, nervous system and special senses.
  Corequisites: BSC 2085L.
  
• BSC 2085L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory - 1 credit
  Laboratory for BSC 2085.
  Corequisites: BSC 2085. Laboratory fee.
• BSC 2086 Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 3 credits
  This course covers circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, metabolism, excretory system, fluid & electrolytes, endocrine system, and reproductive system.
  Corequisites: BSC 2086L.
• BSC 2086L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory - 1 credit
  Laboratory for BSC 2086.
  Corequisites: BSC 2086. Laboratory fee.
  
• EVR 1001 Introduction to Environmental Sciences - 3 credits
  Students will learn a conceptual approach to understanding the interrelationships of humans and natural processes at work in the environment. Application to local issues as well as broader global problems and prospects will be made, with emphasis on sustainable development.
  Pre/corequisite: None. Special fee. (3 hr. lecture)
  
• HUN 1201 Essentials of Nutrition - 3 credits
  Introduction to the nutrients found in foods; the body systems which process the nutrients; energy balance, consumer concerns such as food additives, food-borne illnesses, and nutrition labeling; and the nutritional requirements in each state of the life cycle. Application of basic concepts from the sciences of biology, microbiology, physiology and chemistry to the study of human nutrition and the concepts of nutrition to the planning of healthful, balanced and adequate diets.
  Pre/corequisite: PSC 1515. Laboratory fee.
  
• HUN 1201L Essentials of Nutrition Laboratory - 1 credit
  A laboratory course which accompanies HUN 1201. The course covers fundamental techniques used in the measurement of food quantities, nutrient contents of foods, and serum contents of vital nutrients. Laboratory fee.
  
• MCB 2010 Microbiology - 3 credits
  The identification, morphology and physiology of bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi, rickettsiae, and viruses, with emphasis on the effects of their activities upon human affairs.
  Prerequisites: CHM 1033, 1033L; BSC 2085,2086.
  
• MCB 2010L Microbiology Laboratory - 2 credits
  Laboratory of MCB 2013.
  Corequisite: MCB 2013. Laboratory fee.
  
• OCB 1010C Introductory Marine Biology - 3 credits
  Introduction to the Biology of the seas. Emphasis is placed on the variety of Marine organisms, their structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations within a specific marine environment. Special attention is directed to marine communities, e.g., coral reefs, shallow grass flats, and the factors limiting the distribution of organisms within those communities. Identification of local marine organisms, the presentations of sampling techniques, and an introduction to field collection methods is facilitated through field trips to selected local marine habitats.
  
• PCB 2340 Introduction to Ecology - 3 credits
  This course will provide students with an understanding and appreciation for how organisms relate to one another and their environment at the levels of biological organization from the individual to the biosphere.
  Prerequisite: PCB 1515 or BSC 2011.
  
• PCB 2061 Genetics – 3 Credits
  This course provides an understanding of the mechanisms of transmission of heritable information including classical principles of Mendelian genetic analysis, principles of modern genetic analysis, gene mapping, change and regulation of gene expression. Quantitative genetic analysis, genomics, genetic basis of cell and cancer development will also be explored. Prerequisite: BSC 2010, 2010L. (3 hour lecture)

**Courses associated with the Bachelors in Biological Sciences program can be found at http://www.mdc.edu/main/biologicalsciencesbs/courses.aspx
**For a list of additional courses offered at MDC, click on the course catalogue found at http://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/college_catalog.aspx