Biology
Admissions and Records
- Email: admissions@svcc.edu
- Phone: (815) 835-6273
- Fax: (815) 456-4240
- Visit Admissions to view Hours
Associate in Science Degree with a Concentration in
Biology (413)
The concentration in Biology prepares students to transfer to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor's degree in Cell Biology, Organismal Biology and/or Ecology as well as preparing students for medical, dental, or chiropractic studies.
The associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division
(freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM-related majors.
As a result, the A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum
(GECC). Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer
by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer
institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating
transfer institution.
Biological Sciences - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum
Follow this link for career information.
Transfer Considerations
Students who have already chosen the university to which they wish to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor, an SVCC academic advisor, and an SVCC biology instructor in planning their program.
- Baccalaureate biological science programs are diverse. Some programs emphasize cell and molecular biology, whereas others emphasize organismal, ecological and evolutionary biology. Research universities offer specific programs of study, optional tracks or specializations within biology. Students should decide the direction or specialization within the Biological Sciences major as early as possible, preferably by the beginning of the sophomore year. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate degree prior to transfer. To transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate biological sciences program, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester credits (64 for the Associate degree), including all of the prerequisite science courses listed. For maximum transferability, students are encouraged to complete all general education, supporting science, and biology core courses listed.
- Note: Students are advised to complete the entire 3 course introductory biological sciences sequence at one school before transferring. Students who complete only one course may have to repeat that course, since material may be arranged differently by another institution.
Competitive Admissions
Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself
guarantee admission.
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
- Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
- Lori Anton, Assistant Professor of Biology, 815-835-6402
- Bradley Smith, Associate Professor of Biology, 815-835-6225
- Therese Wood, Assistant Professor of Biology, 815-835-6391
- Dr. Lauren M. Orton, Professor of Biology, 815-835-6375
Minimum Total Credit Hours - 66-68 Hours
Suggested Course Sequence
First Semester - 18 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social / Behavioral Science | 3 Hours | |
| Personal Development | 1 Hour | |
| BIO105 | Principles of Biology | 5 Hours |
| A survey of the basic principles of biology including nature of science cells structure and function of organisms genetics evolution and ecology. This course is designed to satisfy the biology requirement for general education and vocation-occupational curriculum majors. It provides a basis for understanding principles common to all major fields of biology for the science or professional major. This course along with BIO 123 Introduction to Botany and BIO 131 General Zoology is part of the three-semester sequence that satisfies the IAI 910 Biology requirement. Students who have completed BIO 105 with a grade of C or better will not receive credit for BIO 103 or BIO 104. Prerequisite None5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI L1 910L BIO 910 LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
| CHE105 | General Chemistry I | 5 Hours |
| This course involves the study of matter measurements the periodic table of the elements atomic structure basic concepts of quantum theory bonding stoichiometry of compounds and reactions solution chemistry introduction to acids and bases thermochemistry the gaseous state and basic concepts of the liquid and solid states. This class is for chemistry engineering premedical and science majors.Prerequisite One year of high school chemistry or CHE 103 or CHE 102. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI P1 902L CHM 911LectureLab Hours 3 lec 3 labweek | ||
| ENG101 | Composition I | 3 Hours |
| This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 Hour |
| The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek | ||
Second Semester - 17 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Arts | 3 Hours | |
| Personal Development | 1 Hour | |
| BIO123 | Introduction to Botany | 5 Hours |
| Activities structure methods of reproduction relationships and uses of major types of plant life with emphasis on flowering plants. This course is designed for the transfer student in agriculture liberal arts general education and science majors. This course along with BIO 105 Principles of Biology and BIO 131 General Zoology is part of the three semester sequence that satisfies the IAI Bio 910 Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIO 105 with a grade of C or higher5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI L1 910 L BIO 910LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
| CHE106 | General Chemistry II | 5 Hours |
| This course is a continuation of CHE 105. This course involves the study of solutions acids and bases equilibria acid-base equilibria solubility equilibria kinetics thermodynamics electrochemistry coordination compounds and nuclear chemistry. This class is for chemistry engineering premedical and science majors.Prerequisite CHE 1055 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI CHM 912LectureLab Hours 3 lec 3 labweek | ||
| ENG103 | Composition II | 3 Hours |
| An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Third Semester - 14-15 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Development | 1 Hour | |
| * BIO109 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 Hours |
| A study of introductory chemistry cells metabolic processes the organization of tissues the skeletal system joints and articulation the integumentary system micro and macro organization of the nervous system and somatic and special senses. Prerequisites BIO 105 or BIO 108 with a grade of C or higher OR two years of high school biology with a C or higher within the last five years AND CHE 102 or CHE 103 or CHE 105 with a grade of C or higher OR one year of high school chemistry with a grade of C or higher within the last five years. 4 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 3 lec 2 labweek | ||
| - OR - | ||
| CHE201 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 Hours |
| This course covers the following topics bonding molecular structure and properties reactivity and nomenclature of alkanes cycloalkanes alkenes alkynes alkyl halides alcohols and ethers stereochemistry nucleophilic substitution and elimination reaction infrared spectroscopy. Laboratory is required. Prerequisite CHE 106 - General Chemistry II. Students should complete both CHE 201 and CHE 202 before transferring to another institution.Prerequisite CHE 1065 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI CHM 913LectureLab Hours 3 lec 4 labweek | ||
| BIO131 | General Zoology | 5 Hours |
| An introduction to the principles of classification of animals followed by a systematic study of invertebrate and vertebrate animals including their morphology physiology and natural history. Concepts of evolution paleontology and ecology are discussed. This course along with BIO 105 Principles of Biology and BIO 123 Introduction to Botany is part of the three semester sequence that satisfies the IAI Bio 910 Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIO 105 with a grade of C or higher. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI L1 910L BIO 910LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
| MAT203 | Calculus & Analytic Geometry I | 4 Hours |
| The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include limits continuity the derivative rules of differentiation the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are related rates graphing extreme value problems and Newtons method for finding roots of equations.Prerequisite A grade of C or better in MAT 121 College Algebra AND MAT 122 Trigonometry OR appropriate placement see current placement score prerequisite chart 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-1 MTH 901LectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
Fourth Semester - 17-18 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social / Behavioral Science | 3 Hours | |
| Humanities | 3 Hours | |
| * BIO110 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 Hours |
| A continuation of BIO 109. BIO 110 is the study of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine muscular cardiovascular respiratory digestive urinary immune lymphatic and reproductive systems. Additionally electrolyte pH and water balance and human development will be discussed. Prerequisite BIO 109 with a grade of C4 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 3 lec 2 labweek | ||
| - OR - | ||
| CHE202 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 Hours |
| This course covers the following topics Nomenclature reactions and synthesis of aldehydes ketones carboxylic acids and their derivatives aromatic compounds conjugated dienes dicarbonyl compounds amines amino acids proteins carbohydrates phenols NMR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry. Laboratory is required. Prerequisite CHE 2015 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI CHM 914LectureLab Hours 3 lec 4 labweek | ||
| COM131 | Intro to Oral Communication | 3 Hours |
| The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| MAT204 | Calc & Analytic Geometry II | 4 Hours |
| The methods of differentiation and integration are extended and power series are introduced. The new methods deal with logarithms exponential hyperbolic and inverse trigonometric functions. Some applications are area between two curves volumes of revolution arc length and work. The techniques of integration by parts partial fractions trigonometric substitution and numerical integration are covered. Power series and the Taylor series function representation are introduced. Prerequisite MAT 203 with a grade of C or higher. 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-2 MTH 902LectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
Footnotes
* Medical Science Emphasis