Biological Sciences Courses

• This is a two-semester sequence for nursing, medical technology, physical therapy and other health science students. It is intended as an introduction to the structure and function of human organ systems. A rudimentary treatment of microanatomy and physiology is also included.
• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 4 (including lab)
• Course URL: Canvas
• Core Curriculum: NS

Prerequisites

None for 119:127. 119:127 is a prerequisite for 119:128

Course Description

This is a two-semester sequence for nursing, medical technology, physical therapy and other health science students. It is intended as an introduction to the structure and function of human organ systems. A rudimentary treatment of microanatomy and physiology is also included.

119:127 Topics Include:

• Chemistry of Life
• Cell Biology
• Structural Organization
• Integumentary System
• Bones
• Muscles
• Nervous System

119:128 Topics Include:

• Vision and Audition
• Olfaction and Gustation
• Somatic Sensation
• Endocrinology
• Hematopoiesis
• Cardiac Function
• Blood Vessels
• Lymphatic System
• Immunity
• Respiration
• Renal System
• Digestion
• Reproduction
• Development

Course Syllabi

Spring 2025 Syllabus

Fall 2025 Lecture Schedule

Course URL

 Canvas 

Course Satisfies Learning Goals

1. To develop academic skills that will provide a foundation for success in advanced courses, gate-keeper standardized tests, graduate or professional school, and life-long learning.
2. To acquire the appropriate factual and conceptual knowledge that provides student with a foundation on which they can further their immediate education and to manage a career.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

The final grade is comprised of lecture and laboratory components and will reflect collective performance during the entire semester. Although attendance to the lectures is not a component of grade calculation, historically, students attending lectures have performed better than those who did not.

Lecture: Three hourly exams, three quizzes, and a cumulative final exam. The final and hourly exams will include multiple choice and short answer questions.

Laboratory: Two quizzes, midterm practical exam, and cumulative final exam. The hourly and final exams will include multiple choice and short answer questions.

There are a total of 875 points:

Lecture Points (675):

Quizzes: 25 points x 3 =75 points

Hourly Exams: 100 points each = 300 (lowest score is dropped)

Final Exam: 300 points

Laboratory Points (200):

Quizzes: 25 points each = 50
Midterm Exam: 50 points
Final Exam: 100 points

Course Materials

Seeley: Anatomy and Physiology, 10^th Edition (ISBN:9780073403632)

Marieb: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Lab manual 11^th Edition, Cat Version (ISBN:9780321822192)

Selected lecture and laboratory material will be made available on the website

Course Closed?

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty

Course Coordinator:

Dr. Anthony Uzwiak
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Office: Busch Lab Center 127A

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** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator. 

• This is the first year course series for all life science majors and along with Biological Research Laboratory, 01:119:117. They are the only 100 level life science courses acceptable for a major or minor in Biological Sciences.
• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 4
• Core Curriculum: NS

General Biology 115 and 116 is a two semester sequence intended for students majoring in the biological sciences or pharmacy, and for students who plan to attend a professional school in the sciences.

Weekly, GB 115 and 116 have two 80 minute lectures and an 80 workshop where students actively work in teams to construct and practice lecture content and begin self-assessing their preparation for the exams.

Bio 115/116 replaces Bio101/102. Bio 101/102 is no longer offered.

Along with Bio 117 (the 2-credit laboratory course), the Bio 115/116 sequence is a CORE requirement for the Biological Sciences and Division of Life Sciences departmental majors.

Offered

Fall, Spring*, and Summer

Credits

4 (including weekly 80 minute workshop)

Prerequisites

01:119:115: Writing prerequisite of College Writing (01:355:101, 01:355:103, or 01:355:104, or placement into 355:101 or 355:104) and Math prerequisite of 01:640:026 (or placement into 640:CMA, 640:PCA, 640:CLG, or 640:CLS).

01:119:116 : Prerequisite is a C or better in GB 115 (01:119:115)

 Although not a prerequisite, all students are assumed to have completed a course in high school Chemistry.

Please note: All students wishing to major in Biological Sciences are required to earn a C or better in their General Biology coursework (lecture and lab components).

Course Description

01:119:115 Topics include:

Biology and Learning	Cell Structure	Cell Cycle	Gene Expression & Regulation	Speciation
Scientific Process	Membranes & Transport	Meiosis	DNA Technology	Phylogenetics
Basic Chemistry	Metabolism	Mendelian Genetics	Human Genetics	Animal Behavior
Biological Molecules	Photosynthesis	Chromosomes	Darwinian Evolution	Ecology- Population, Community, Ecosystem, and Aquatic
Origin of Life	Respiration	DNA Structure & Function	Population Genetics	Conservation Biology

 

01:119:116 Topics include:

Classification	Fungi	Homeostasis	Nervous System Organization	Digestion	Circulation
Virology	Animal Diversity	Endocrine System	Action Potentials	Nutrition	Blood
Prokaryotes	Plant Diversity	Reproduction	Synapses & Sensory Receptors	Respiration	Immunity
Protists	Plant Physiology	Development	Musculoskeletal System	Excretion	Infectious Disease

Course Syllabus 

 Download 119 115 General Biology I Fall 2025 Syllabus Accessible

Download 119 116 Gen Bio II Spring 2026 Syllabus Accessible

Course URL

Canvas

Course satisfies SAS Core Curriculum Learning Goals

Natural Science: Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.

Course Satisfies Departmental Learning Goals

I. To acquire the appropriate factual and conceptual knowledge that provides students with a foundation to further their education and career in the areas of life science or health science. Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge (ex. identify, define, explain...) of the concepts, practices and principles that comprise the biological sciences.

IV. To develop critical thinking and problems solving skills appropriate to prepare students to evaluate, synthesize and generate knowledge that provides them with a competitive advantage to adapt to an evolving, global, and knowledge-based society. Students will be able to demonstrate the application of higher order thinking (e.g., classify, diagnosis, evaluate, synthesize, hypothesize....). Students will develop an understanding of not only the connections within biology but also the connections between biology and other scientific disciplines.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Hour Exam I                          15%

Hour Exam II*                       15%

Final Exam*                           30%

Workshop:

Deportment                          10%

Workshop Activities          30%

Total                                         100%

* All exams are comprehensive; at least half will be Upper Level questions. While the newest material will be emphasized on the second midterm exam and final exam, students will be expected to make linkages between new material and older material.

To pass General Biology, a student must satisfy all of the following conditions:

a) Have earned a certain total percentage; and

b) Score at least 55% on one of the three common exams (Hourly I, Hourly II, or Final); and

c) Have at least a 60% total average for the workshop (individual categories may be less than 60%, but all workshop categories combined must be at least 60%.

Course Materials

Required:

Text: Biology 2e, 2018 openstax- an open source textbook available at: https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e 

ISBN:

PRINT BOOK ISBN-10 1-947172-51-4
PRINT BOOK ISBN-13 978-1-947172-51-7
PDF VERSION ISBN-10 1-947172-52-2
PDF VERSION ISBN-13 978-1-947172-52-4

 

Optional:

Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms, Donald Borror - knowing the etymology of biological terms can be helpful in learning and remembering them; this dictionary provides quick access to etymologies.

Course Closed?

Students should continue to check WebReg to see if a spot has opened; special permission is not given for full sections.

Scheduling for the spring semester can be challenging for students in General Biology 115.  We understand how stressful not being able to register in the courses you wish to take can be and we apologize.  We are committed to ensuring that all students who are currently in GB I (119:115) who meet the requirements for GB II (119:116) and wish to take the class in the spring will have a seat.   We appreciate your understanding, flexibility and patience as we work to open seats in the class.

For those of you interested in also taking the Bio Research Laboratory (119:117) please note that the lab was designed with the expectation that about half of the class would take it in the spring and a half next fall.  This was done to prioritize student success.  For example, we would not encourage students to take more than one lab the same semester (e.g. bio and chem lab).  If you know that one or more of the classes you are planning for the spring is likely to be time consuming, it would be to your advantage to wait to take the lab.   Please be assured that taking the lab in the fall will not deleteriously impact your ability to complete your degree in 4 year (e.g. the “traditional” course plan for the Biological Sciences major has 119:117 in the fall:  https://biology.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/major-in-biological-sciences?view=article&id=434&catid=2).   We strongly encourage you to meet with an advisor for your intended major to discuss your course schedule and how to best prioritize your success..

Faculty

Dr. Gregg Transue – Course Director

phone: 848-445-0778

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amber Sarwani

Busch Lab Center
Busch Campus

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Daniel Stern Cardinale – Workshop Director

Biological Sciences Building, Douglass Campus

phone: 848-445-0778

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Anne Keating

123A Busch Lab
Center, Busch Campus

phone: 848-445-0778

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Biology Program Coordinator:

Ms. Onyi Freeman

General Biology Offices:

Busch Laboratory Center 129, (848)-445-0778)- the main office

Douglass Biology Building 106 (848) 932-9368

Appointments can be made through the course email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• The goal of Prep for GB is to prepare you for the General Biology sequence and any other science courses you may take.  Along with reviewing biological topics, Prep for GB is specifically designed to help you develop better ways of dealing with science courses and will spend significant time reviewing the cognitive psychology that underlies productive learning strategies.  Topics such as time management, how to use text books, how to deal with lectures, how to adequately prepare for exams, and metacognition are reviewed.  We require conscientious participation, as the course is highly interactive, both in lecture and in lab.  Activities are designed to help you develop techniques, not just to help you learn biology concepts.  By the end of the semester, we believe you will feel more confident about your subsequent science courses.
• Semester Offered: Fall
• Credits: 4 (including lab)
• Course URL: Canvas
• Core Curriculum: NS

Prerequisites

None. Preparation for General Biology is designed for students below the English 101 (College Writing) level and at the Math 026 (Intermediate Algebra) levels or above.

Course Description

The goal of Prep for GB is to prepare you for the General Biology sequence and any other science courses you may take.  Along with reviewing biological topics, Prep for GB is specifically designed to help you develop better ways of dealing with science courses and will spend significant time reviewing the cognitive psychology that underlies productive learning strategies.  Topics such as time management, how to use textbooks, how to deal with lectures, how to adequately prepare for exams, and metacognition are reviewed.  We require conscientious participation, as the course is highly interactive, both in lecture and in lab.  Activities are designed to help you develop techniques, not just to help you learn biology concepts.  By the end of the semester, we believe you will feel more confident about your subsequent science courses.

If you plan to major in the life sciences, you must take General Biology 119:115, 116, and 117.  This class does not replace any of these courses. 

Preparation for General Biology is not recommended for satisfying a natural sciences distribution for non-science majors. There are courses designed to fill a science requirement for non-majors; DLS  Academic Advisors will be happy to discuss whether Prep for GB is appropriate for you or not.

Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 Syllabus

Course LMS

Canvas 

Course Satisfies SAS Core Curriculum Learning Goals

1. Natural Sciences: Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences. 
2. Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis.
3. Natural Sciences: Identify and critically assess ethical and societal issues in science.

Course Satisfies Department Learning Goals

 I. To acquire the appropriate factual and conceptual knowledge that provides students with a foundation to further their education and career in the areas of life science or health science.  Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge (ex. identify, define, explain...) of the concepts, practices and principles that comprise the biological sciences.

II. To develop data analysis and statistical reasoning skills that prepares students for a society increasing reliant on the use of data and information. Students will be able to interpret/evaluate patterns in data presented in tables, figures, and graphs as well as be able to organize, summarize and present data.

III. To develop the ability to use scientific reasoning as embodied by the structured process commonly known as the scientific method to empower students with the ability to generate and refine knowledge. Students will be able to evaluate and apply the practice of science.

IV. To develop critical thinking and problems solving skills appropriate to prepare students to evaluate, synthesize and generate knowledge that provides them with a competitive advantage to adapt to an evolving, global, and knowledge based society.  Students will be able to demonstrate application of higher order thinking (ex. classify, diagnosis, evaluate, synthesize, hypothesize...).  Students will develop an understanding of not only the connections within biology but also the connections between biology and other scientific disciplines.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Lecture (60% of grade):

Exam 1 = 10%

Exam 2 = 13%

Exam 3 = 15%

Final Exam = 20%

Lecture Practice Questions  = 8%

Laboratory (34% of grade):

Deportment = 8%

Laboratory Activities = 18%

Final Practical = 8%

The final grade will be based on the following scale: 90-100% = A; 85-89 = B+; 80-84% = B; 75-79 = C+; 70-74% = C; 60-69% = D A -90% and above; B+ - 88/89%; B - 80-87%; C+ - 78/79%; C - 70-77%; D - 60-69%,  Students whose final average is 60% or above must also have earned at least a 55% on one exam and have earned at least 60% of the available laboratory points. If these conditions are not met, the student will receive an F even though their average is 60% or above. Students with more than two (2) unexcused absences from laboratory will automatically fail the course.

Attendance to both lecture and lab is mandatory.

Course Materials

Text: Biology 2e, 2018 openstax  – an open source textbook available at:  https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e

ISBN:

PRINT BOOK ISBN-10 1-947172-51-4
PRINT BOOK ISBN-13 978-1-947172-51-7
PDF VERSION ISBN-10 1-947172-52-2
PDF VERSION ISBN-13 978-1-947172-52-4

Also required:

Laboratory Manual: provided as part of lab fee.

Course Closed?

You should continue to check WebReg to see if a spot has opened.  If you are not registered by the start of classes, go to the first class anyway.  Further information about registration will be given at that time.

Faculty

Dr. Anne Keating 
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.