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Biology

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Academic Programs

Biology - Associate in Science (413)

Associate in Science (413)

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 specialization's 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. Student who complete only one course may have to repeat that course, since material may be arranged differently by another institution.

Effective Fall of 2016, 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, A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum. 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.

Click here for career information: https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/413.html

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.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815/835-6354
Lori Anton, Assistant :Professor of Biology, 815/835-6402
David Breen, Professor of Biology, 815/835-6355
Dr. Eric Forman, Associate Professor of Biology 815/835-6307
Bradley Smith, Associate Professor of Biology, 815/835-6225


Biological Sciences - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

Follow this link for career information.


Total Hours Required - 68 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 18 Hours

  • Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Personal Development 1 Semester hour(s)
  • BIO105 - Principles of Biology ( 5 Semester 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. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Semester hour(s) 5 semester hours Lecture/Lab Hours 4 lec, 2 lab/week

  • CHE105 - General Chemistry I ( 5 Semester 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, pre-medical and science majors. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or CHE 103 or CHE 102. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): P1 902L, CHM 911 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 3 lab/week

  • ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

    A basic course in essay writing with emphasis on exposition, ENG 101 stresses knowledge and application of the rhetorical modes. ENG 101 presupposes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 22 or above; required scores on the current English placement test, or grade of C or higher in ELA 099. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

    This course is designed to facilitate the self-development of the student, and introduce students to the expectations of the college community. This course reviews the academic skills that promote success during their college career. Topics will include, but not limited to, identifying campus/community resources, test-taking strategies, career exploration/decision making, problem solving, literacy, and critical thinking. Students will also learn strategies for taking personal responsibility for their academic and career choices. (Students in good standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher), who have accumulated 16 semester hours or more prior to enrolling as a degree seeking student at Sauk are not required to take this class). Semester hour(s): 1 Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

Second Semester - 17 Hours

  • Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Personal Development 1 Semester hour
  • BIO123 - Introduction to Botany ( 5 Semester 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 910 Biology requirement. Prerequisite: BIO 105. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910 L, BIO 910 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec, 2 lab/week

  • CHE106 - General Chemistry II ( 5 Semester 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 105. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 912 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 3 lab/week

  • ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester 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. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 15 Hours

  • Personal Development 1 Semester hour(s)
  • BIO131 - General Zoology ( 5 Semester 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 910 Biology requirement. Prerequisite: BIO 105 is required and MAT 115 or higher is recommended. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec, 2 lab/week

  • CHE201 - Organic Chemistry I ( 5 Semester 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. Students should complete both CHE 201 and CHE 202 before transferring to another institution. Prerequisite: CHE 106. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 913 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 4 lab/week

  • MAT203 - Calculus & Analytic Geometry I ( 4 Semester 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 Newton's method for finding roots of equations. Prerequisite: MAT 122 - Trigonometry with a grade of C or higher (or appropriate placement score) OR four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher and either the appropriate placement score or an ACT Math score at least 26 OR Math 3 with a grade of C or higher and either appropriate placement score or an ACT Math score of at least 26 Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-1, MTH 901 Semester hour(s): 4 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 18 Hours

  • Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
  • CHE202 - Organic Chemistry II ( 5 Semester 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 201. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 914 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 4 lab/week

  • COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

    This course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. This 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. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • MAT204 - Calc & Analytic Geometry II ( 4 Semester 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. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-2, MTH 902 Semester hour(s): 4 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week