Biological Sciences

A degree in Biological Sciences may lead to such jobs as wildlife management, fishery biologist, and/or biological research scientist, just to name a few.

The curriculum is designed to give the student a broad education in the biological sciences, especially teaching at the secondary level. A total of 64 hours is required for the Associate in Science Degree. At the university level, students may decide to specialize in zoology or botany after having had this sequence of courses.

Degrees & Certificates in Biological Sciences

ARTS & SCIENCES DIVISION

All curriculum guides reflect the 2021-22 catalog. Please check the latest catalog and addendum for possible changes.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES — Degree

Associate in Science Degree

A degree in Biological Sciences may lead to such jobs as wildlife management, fishery biologist, and/or biological research scientist, just to name a few.

The curriculum below is designed to give the student a broad education in the biological sciences, especially teaching at the secondary level. A total of 64 hours is required for the Associate in Science Degree. At the university level, students may decide to specialize in zoology or botany after having had this sequence of courses.

► Total = 64 Hours

First Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

BIO 1101 College Biology (5)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
HEA 1101 Health Education (2)
Elective – Fine Arts (3)
Elective – Humanities (3)

Second Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

BIO 1104 College Biology II ⁵(5)
ENGL 1102 Rhetoric and Composition II (3)
MATH 1121 Calculus & Analytic Geometry I ¹, ⁶ (5)
Elective – Social Science ² (3)

Third Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

BIO 1102 Environmental Ecology (4)
CHE 1103 Inorganic Chemistry (see prerequisites) ⁵ (5)
MATH 1111 Statistics ¹, ⁶ (4)
Elective – Social Science ² (3)

Fourth Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

CHE 1104 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis ⁵ (5)
COMM 1101 Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
ZOO 1101 General Zoology (4)
Elective – Social Science ² (3)
Elective (1)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE

Elective – Fine Arts / Humanities ³,⁴ (3)

¹ Prerequisite course(s) may be required based test scores.

² If a student is preparing for teaching at the secondary education level, education courses should be taken.

³ Some schools require a year of a foreign language.

⁴ One Fine Arts course and one Humanities course needed to meet IAI core requirements.

⁵ To guarantee full transfer of credit, students must complete the entire course sequence at the same school before transfer.

⁶ Check with your transfer university for math requirement.

Brochures

Biological Sciences Brochure

Program Outcomes

Biological Sciences

1. Demonstrate understanding of basic biological principles

2. Demonstrate critical thinking skills needed to analyze information in a laboratory or clinical setting.

3. Demonstrate basic laboratory skills.

4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate understanding and analysis of biological concepts.

Biological Sciences is a part of the Arts & Sciences Division at Rend Lake College. It includes approximately 100 faculty members, 14 of whom are full-time. These faculty have expertise in areas of biological and physical sciences, math, early childhood, elementary and secondary education, business and health and P.E. The Division provides a solid background for students entering a pre-professional career.

Faculty & Staff

Caroline Ragan

Professor Biology and Anatomy & Physiology

Phone Extension: 1378

Building: South Oasis

Office: 139

2017 RLCF FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD | M.S., Bradley University | B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale | A.A., John A. Logan College

Andrea Banach

Dean of Arts & Sciences Division

Phone Extension: 1258

Building: North Oasis

Office: 145

M.S. Eastern Illinois University | B.S. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Emily Jones

Biological Sciences and Anatomy & Physiology Instructor | Arts & Sciences Division

Phone Extension: 1722

Building: South Oasis

Office: 143

2015 PHI THETA KAPPA FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD | M.S. & B.S., Southeast Missouri State University

Karla Duncan-Gunter

Biology Instructor | Arts & Sciences

Phone Extension: 1286

Building: South Oasis

Office: 150

M.S., University of Nebraska | B.S., Murray State University | A.A., Valencia Community College

Faith Blair

Administrative Assistant | Arts & Sciences Division

Phone Extension: 1263

Building: North Oasis

Office: 134

A.S. Business Administration, Southeastern Illinois College A.A. Business Administration, Southeastern Illinois College

Arts & Sciences Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1263
Email: [email protected]
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Arts & Sciences
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Arts & Sciences

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