About Northern
Contact
Meredith Mason Garcia, Ph.D
Director of Biology/Instructor
505-747-2239
mgarcia11@nnmc.edu
Department Chairman
Alejandro Gonzales-Aller, Ph.D
505-747-2231
alejandro@nnmc.edu
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Index
Contact Information
About the B. S. Program
How do I apply for admission to the B.S. Program in Biology?
What are the course requirements for the B.S. in Biology?
About the faculty
Contact Information
Program Director – Meredith Garcia, Ph.D.: 505-747-2239 or mgarcia11@nnmc.edu
Department Chairman – Alejandro Gonzales-Aller, Ph.D.: 505-747-2231 or alejandro@nnmc.edu
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The primary goal of the Bachelor of Science in Biology is to educate undergraduate students to prepare them for positions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, biomedical research laboratories, bioinformatics, the allied health sciences, environmental sciences, and government laboratories. In addition, a B.S. in Biology provides the necessary background for students seeking to enter graduate school, medical school, veterinary school, dental school, or a school of pharmacy.
A central component of the Biology program is to involve students in a variety of experiences as undergraduates, including intramural and extramural research and/or internship opportunities. All majors in Biology will be given a basic foundation of knowledge based on a sequence of introductory courses, followed by more advanced courses and individual research projects. The faculty in Biology at NNMC currently have ongoing collaborative research projects with scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, and with the National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe.
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How do I apply for admission into the B. S. Program in Biology?
In order to be admitted to the B.S. in Biology program, the student must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Enrollment in good standing at NNMC.
2. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all coursework attempted at NNMC and/or other institutions, as demonstrated by official transcripts.
3. Completion of 48 credit hours of college-level work, excluding remedial courses. Twenty-four of these hours can be from the General Education Common Core, and should include BIOL 201/L (3/1), CHEM 121/L (3/1) and Math 150 (3). Of the 48 credit hours, 20 hours must also include the following required courses, completed with a minimum grade of "C": Biology 151/L (3/1); Biology 202/L (3/1); Biology 203/L (3/1); Biology 204/L (3/1); and Chem. 122/L (3/1).
4. Submission of a personal statement outlining interest in Biology and career goals.
Because incoming freshmen must declare a major upon entering NNMC, and because the admission criteria for the B.S. program include 48 credit hours of completed college-level coursework, it is recommended that students wishing to enter the B.S. program should first enter the A.S. Program in Biology. They should apply for admission to the B.S. Program during the semester in which they will complete the courses required for admission. Prospective students should also complete an Application for Admission form [available from the Program Director], and the complete admissions packet [form, transcripts, personal statement] should be submitted to the Program Director no later than two weeks before the end of the semester in which the student is applying. The student will be notified of admission in a letter from the Program Director.
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What are the course requirements for the B.S. in Biology?
GENERAL EDUCATION (35 credits)
Communications (9 credits)
ENG 111 English Composition I (3)
SPCH 130 Public Speaking (3)
Choose one of the following:
ENG 112 English Composition II (3)
ENG 116 Technical Writing (3)
Mathematics (3 credits)
MATH 150 College Algebra (3)
Laboratory Sciences (8 credits)
BIOL 201 Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 201L Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Lab (1)
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 121L General Chemistry I/Laboratory (1)
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6-9 credits) *
You must select survey courses from at least two different discipline areas
Humanities and Fine Arts (6-9 credits) *
You must select survey courses from at least two different discipline areas
* You must complete at least 15 credits between these two areas, maintaining at least two disciplines in each area.
HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION & RECREATION (1 hr)
Elective (1)
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (81 credits)
Biology Core Curriculum (44 credits)
Required 100 and 200 level sequence (16 credits; BIOL 201/L is included in the Gen Ed sequence)
BIOL 151 Science and Society (3)
BIOL 151L Introduction Science and Society Lab (1)
BIOL 202 Genetics (3)
BIOL 202L Genetics Lab (1)
BIOL 203 Ecology and Evolution (3)
BIOL 203L Ecology and Evolution Lab (1)
BIOL 204 Plant and Animal Form and Function (3)
BIOL 204L Plant and Animal Form and Function Lab (1)
Required Seminar and Research Experience (4 credits)
BIOL 292/392 Undergraduate Research Experience (3)
BIOL 472 Undergraduate Seminar in Biology (1)
Two required 300 level courses to be chosen from the following list (8 credits)
BIOL 329 Molecular Cell Biology (4)
BIOL 349 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology (3)
BIOL 349L Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1)
BIOL 351 General Microbiology (3)
BIOL 351L General Microbiology Lab (1)
BIOL 360 Plant Biology (3)
BIOL 360L Plant Biology Lab (1)
BIOL 371 Invertebrate Biology (3)
BIOL 371L Invertebrate Biology Lab (1)
BIOL 386 General Vertebrate Zoology (3)
BIOL 386L General Vertebrate Zoology (1)
Four 400 level courses to be chosen from the following list (16 credits)
BIOL 406 Stream Ecology and Field Methods (3)
BIOL 410 Bioinformatics (3)
BIOL 412 Developmental Biology (3)
BIOL 412L Developmental Biology (1)
BIOL 416 Cells and Tissues (3)
BIOL 416L Cells and Tissues Lab (1)
BIOL 418 Conservation Biology (3)
BIOL 422 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3)
BIOL 422L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab (1)
BIOL 425 Molecular Genetics (3)
BIOL 425L Molecular Genetics Lab (1)
BIOL 426 Neurobiology (3)
BIOL 426 Neurobiology Lab (1)
BIOL 431 Drugs and Their Actions (3)
BIOL 435 Comparative Animal Physiology (3)
BIOL 435L Comparative Animal Physiology Lab (1)
BIOL 451 General Ecology (3)
BIOL 451L General Ecology Lab (1)
BIOL 456 Immunology (3)
BIOL 456L Immunology Lab (1)
BIOL 467 Evolutinary Plant Ecology (3)
Required Supportive Courses in Math, Physics and Chemistry (33 credits)
Mathematics (14 credits)
MATH 145 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)
MATH 155 Trigonometry (3)
MATH 162 Calculus I (4)
MATH 163 Calculus II (4)
Chemistry (11 credits, including CHEM 121/L is included in the Ged Ed sequence)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 122L General Chemistry II Lab (1)
CHEM 210 Integrated Organic and Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 210L Integrated Organic and Biochemistry Lab (1)
CHEM 341 Survey of Biochemistry (3)
Physics (8 credits)
PHYS 121 Applied Physics I (3)
PHYS 121L Applied Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS 122 Applied Physics II (3)
PHYS 122L Applied Physics II Lab (1)
Minor concentrations
You may choose one of the following minor concentrations (16 credits)
Mathematics (16 credits)
MATH 264 Calculus III (4)
MATH 311 Vector Analysis (3)
MATH 312 Linear Analysis (3)
MATH 314 Differential Equations (3)
MATH 316 Partial Differential Equations (3)
Chemistry (16 credits)
CHEM 301 Organic chemistry I (3)
CHEM 301L Organic chemistry I Lab (1)
CHEM 302 Organic chemistry II (3)
CHEM 302L Organic chemistry II Lab (1)
CHEM 311 Physical chemistry (3)
CHEM 311L Physical chemistry Lab (1)
Electives: Choose four additional upper-division credits in chemistry
Physics (16 credits)
PHYS 262 General Physics (3)
PHYS 262L General Physics Lab (1)
PHYS 302 Optics (3)
PHYS 330 Introduction to Modern Physics (3)
PHYS 331 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (3)
PHYS 405 Electricity and Magnetism (3)
If you do not choose a minor concentration
You must choose 16 more credit hours (at least 13 in upper division courses) from additional elective courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, the humanities, or social sciences.
TOTAL: 128 credits
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Course Descriptions for Biology Core Curriculum
BIOL 151 Science and Society (3 credits)
This is a required course for all biology majors. The course examines the principles and practice of modern science and the relationship between science and technology in society. The course is intended for prospective science majors in preparation for taking BIO 203 and BIO 204. Students must complete BIO 151 with a grade of “C” or better to enroll in BIO 203. A secondary focus of this course is on issues of biological science that relate to current political and social challenges and problems. We will use current topics as a way of understanding how knowledge and understanding impacts on culture and society.
BIOL 151L Science and Society Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory exercises in support of BIOL 151.
BIOL 201 Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Scientific method, water, carbon and molecular diversity, macromolecules, introduction to metabolism, tour of cell structures and functions, membrane structure and function, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell communication, and the cell cycle.
(Co-requisite CHEM 121/121L and BIOL 201L)
BIOL 201L Introductory Cell Biology and Molecular Biology Lab (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 201.
(Co-requisite BIOL 201 and CHEM 121/121L)
BIOL 202 Genetics (3 credits)
Mitosis, meiosis, Mendelian genetics, chromosomes and inheritance, molecular basis of inheritance, genes to proteins, genetic models (viruses and bacteria) eukaryotic genomes, genetic basis of development and overview of genomes.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L and CHEM 121/121L, Co-requisite
CHEM 122/122L and BIOL 202L)
BIOL 202L Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 202.
(Co-requisite BIOL 202 and Chemistry 122/122L)
BIOL 203 Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
Darwinian principles, origin of the earth, the fossil record and diversification of ancient life, evolution of populations, origin of species, phylogenetics, intro to ecology and biosphere, behavioral ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems, and conservation biology. (Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-202/L, CHEM 121/121L and 122/122L. Co-requisite Math 162 and BIOL 203L)
BIOL 203L Ecology and Evolution Lab (1 credit)
Survey of the diversity of life (overview of prokaryotes, protests, fungi, plants and animals.
(Co-requisite BIOL 203)
BIOL 204 Plant and Animal Form and Function (3 credits)
Plant structure and growth, transport in plants, plant nutrition, plant reproduction and development, control systems in plants, intro to animals systems, animal nutrition, circulation of gas exchange, immune systems, control of the internal environment, chemical signals in animals, reproduction, development, nervous systems, and sensory and motor mechanisms.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-203/L, CHEM 121/121L and 122/122L. Co-requisite: BIOL 204L)
BIOL 204L Plant and Animal form and Function Lab (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 204.
(Co-requisite BIOL 204)
BIOL 329 Molecular Cell Biology (4 credits)
Students will learn about basic cellular processes and their control mechanisms, including gene expression, protein synthesis, signal transduction pathways, receptor activation, and cell cycle. Designed to expand the knowledge base of students who have completed introductory level courses, and to serve as a foundation for 400-level courses in biology.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-204/L, CHEM 121/121L and 122/122L)
BIOL 349 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology (3 credits)
Students will learn the essentials of anatomy and physiology of humans and other mammals. The emphasis will be on the study of systems, including nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. This course is designed for students majoring in biology or as a review course, for students in the health sciences who have already taken courses in anatomy and physiology.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-204/L or BIOL 237/L-238/L; Co-requisite: BIOL 349/L)
BIOL 349L Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 349.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 349)
BIOL 351 General Microbiology (3 credits)
Anatomy, physiology and ecology of microorganisms. Principles of bacterial techniques, host-parasites relationships and infection and immunity.
(Pre-requisites: BIOL 201/L- 204/L; Co-requisite, BIOL 351L)
BIOL 351L General Microbiology Laboratory (1 credit)
Methods and Techniques used in the microbiology laboratory.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 351)
BIOL 360 Plant Biology (3 credits)
Overview of plant anatomy, physiology, classification, evolution and ecology. Covers both higher and lower plants;
(Pre-requisites: BIOL 201/L- 204/L. Co-requisite, BIOL 360L)
BIOL 360L Plant Biology laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 360.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 360)
BIOL 371 Invertebrate Biology (3 credits)
Survey of the major invertebrate groups with emphasis on evolutionary and ecological relationships, and the correlation of structure with function.
(Pre-requisites: BIOL 201/L- 204/L. Co-requisite: BIOL 371L)
BIOL 371L Invertebrate Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 371
(Co-requisite: BIOL 371)
BIOL 386 General Vertebrate Zoology (3 credits)
Ecology, behavior, sociology, adaptations and evolution of the vertebrates.
(Pre-requisites: BIOL 201/L- 204/L. Co-requisite: BIIOL 386L)
BIOL 386L General Vertebrate Zoology Laboratory (1 credits)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 386
(Co-requisite: BIOL 386)
BIOL 392 Undergraduate Research Experience (3 credits)
This course provides a practical faculty-directed research experience for biology undergraduate students. During the regular semester each student will perform 8 – 10 hours per week of work alongside their mentor in a project and time frame agreed to by both the student intern and the mentor. Arrangements involve all aspects of biological research that can include fieldwork, bench laboratory work, library research or any combination of these activities. The mentor will actively engage the intern in sharing of responsibility for the research process.
BIOL 406 Stream Ecology and Field Methods (3 cr)
Students will use the scientific method to understand and explain basic concepts in stream ecology, hydrology, and biology. Students will obtain experience in general field methods for steam characterization and sampling in streams of northern New Mexico.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 203/L or ES 112/L or ES 125)
BIOL 410 Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Using computers to search biological databases in order to hunt for genes, discover protein structures and determine phylogenetics trees for studies of molecular evolution.
(Prerequisite: BIOL 202/L, BIOL 329)
BIOL 412 Developmental Biology (3 credits)
Comparative biology of animal development emphasizing regulatory mechanisms.
(Prerequisite BIOL 201/L-204/L, BIOL 329; Co-requisite: BIOL 412L)
BIOL 412L Developmental Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 412.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 412)
BIOL 416 Cells and Tissues (3 credits)
Students will learn the structure and function of the various types of cell in the body, and the tissues that are composed of these cells.
(Prerequisite: BIOL 349/L or BIOL 237L-238/L; Co-requisite: BIOL 416L)
BIOL 416L Cells and Tissues Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 416.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 416)
BIOL 418 Conservation Biology (3)
Importance of biological diversity from ecological, aesthetic, economic and political viewpoints. Extinction as present and future process, and the roles of genetics, biological organization, reserves and laws in the recovery of endangered organisms.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 203?l-204/L)
BIOL 422 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3 credits)
Comparative vertebrate anatomy is a systematic survey of the homology in structure and function of the vertebrates and related chordates. The course emphasizes vertebrate phylogeny and correlated anatomical adaptations in the evolution of the anatomy of vertebrates.
(Prerequisites BIOL 201/L-204/L, BIOL 349/L; Co-requisite: BIOL 422L)
BIOL 422L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory dissection in support of BIOL 422.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 422)
BIOL 425 Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
This course emphasizes modern molecular genetics from the point of view of DNA structure, function, maintenance and regulation. Focus of the course is on transmittance of genetic information between cells and generations, and the consequences of this transmission.
(Prerequisites BIOL 201/L-204/L, BIOL 329; Co-requisite: BIOL 425L)
BIOL 425L Molecular Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 425.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 425)
BIOL 426 Neurobiology (3 credits)
Students will learn the basic structure and function of the nervous system. Students will study the nervous system from the level of individual neurons through such complex brain functions as learning and memory, movement, sensation, and personal perception of the environment.
(Prerequisite: BIOL 201/L-204/L or BIOL 237/L-238/L. Co-requisite: BIOL 426L)
BIOL 426L Neurobiology Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 426.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 426)
BIOL 431 Drugs and Their Actions (3 credits)
Students will learn the basic principles of pharmacology, including how drugs exert their effects on the body. Students will also learn the major categories of drugs and their actions, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, hormones, analgesics, and drugs that affect the central nervous system.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-204/L, BIOL 349/L, CHEM 210/210L)
BIOL 435 – Comparative Animal Physiology (3 credits)
The function of organ systems in animals, emphasizing neuro-muscular, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal physiology.
(Prerequisite: BIOL 201/L-204/L, BIOL 349/L; Co-requisite: BIOL 435L)
BIOL 435L Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 435.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 435)
BIOL 451 – General Ecology (3 credits)
A comprehensive survey of the ecology of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems.
(Pre-requisites: BIOL 201/L-BIOL 204/L; Co-requisite: BIOL 451L)
BIOL 451L General Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 451.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 451)
BIOL 456 Immunology (3 credits)
Immunoglobulin structure, antigen-antibody reactions, immunity and hypersensitivity; experimental approach will be emphasized.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-204/L, BIOL 329; Co-requisite: BIOL 456L)
BIOL 456L Immunology Laboratory (1 credit)
Laboratory studies in support of BIOL 456.
(Co-requisite: BIOL 456)
BIOL 467 Evolutionary Plant Ecology (3 credits)
Evolutionary approach to the study of plants and plant populations. Will cover plant life history strategies, plant population biology and plant reproduction with an emphasis on empirical studies.
(Prerequisites: BIOL 201/L-204/L; BIOL 451/L)
BIOL 472 Undergraduate Seminar in Biology (1 credit)
Students will attend presentations given by the faculty and visiting scientists on their research, and students who have conducted research will present their results as well.
Program Director
Meredith Mason Garcia, Ph.D., Program Director
Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Tulane University, 1990
Post-doctoral fellow in Molecular Neurobiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1990-93
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor of Otolaryngology [tenured], Tulane University School of Medicine, 1993-2006
Member, Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, 1993-2006
Member, Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Tulane University, 1993-2006
Professor Emerita, Tulane University, 2006-
B.S. in Biology Program Director, Northern New Mexico College, 2006-
Regular Faculty
Kayce Chithambaram, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Microbiology/ Electrochemistry/Materials Science, Madurai Kamaraj University, 1992
Senior Research Fellow/Post-Doc, Corrosion Science and Engineering Division, Central
Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, India, 1991-1993
Research Scientist, Montana State University, 1993-1995
Corrosion Consultant, Bozeman, MT, 1995-1998
Research Scientist/Senior Scientist, Revelation Industries, Bozeman, MT 1998-2000
Consultant, Revelation Industries, Bozeman, MT August 2000-
Adjunct Faculty, Northern New Mexico College, 2004
Adjunct Faculty, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos, 2005
Core faculty in Biology/Math and Science, Northern New Mexico College, 2006-
Catherine Clark, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Forestry, North Carolina State University, 2006
Core faculty in Biology, Northern New Mexico College, 2007-
Richard E. Harlan, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of California at Los Angeles, 1977
Post-doctoral fellow in Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center Dallas, 1978-
Post-doctoral fellow in Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, 1979-1982
Assistant Professor, The Rockefeller University, 1982-1985
Assistant, Associate and Professor (tenured), Department of Structural and Cellular Biology,
Tulane University School of Medicine, 1985-2006
Director, Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, 1997-2006
Professor Emeritus, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, 2006-
Core Faculty in Biology, Northern New Mexico College, 2007-
Sat Kirpal Khalsa, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Zoology, University of California at Berkeley, 1970
Adjunct faculty, University of Oregon, 1970-1991
Core Faculty in Biology, Northern New Mexico College, 2003-
Bio-Link Summer Research Fellow, University of California Davis, 2004, 2005, 2006
Adjunct Faculty
Viviana Balzaretti, M.S.
M.S. in Biology, National University of Comahue, Argentina
Adjunct Faculty in Biology/Math and Science, Northern New Mexico College, 2001-
Shannon Rupert, M.S.
M.S. in Biological Sciences, California State University, San Marcos, 2000
Adjunct Faculty, Natural Sciences, Miramar College, San Diego, 2001-2007
Remote Science Team Coordinator, Mars Society, 2003-
Adjunct Faculty in Biology, Northern New Mexico College, 2007-
Core Faculty in Environmental Science, Northern New Mexico College, 2007-
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