Biology

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Program Spotlight

While taking biology classes at Skyline College, students can expect to learn proper scientific reporting techniques and a thorough understanding of the scientific method, and they will use biological study, observation and experimentation to test hypotheses and analyze results. Biology classes also fulfill General Education requirements for a variety of majors.

The college also offers Environmental Science classes that provide a strong interdisciplinary approach to understanding environmental issues from a scientific perspective. Environmental science brings together the disciplines of biological, physical and earth sciences to address the impact of humans on ecological systems.

Employment Statistics

Average Salary in California

Jobs Growth Rate over 10 Years*

Biological Scientists

$98,800

4%

Life Scientists

$90,230

8%

A degree in biology opens career paths in a variety of fields: medical and health sciences; agricultural and food sciences; environmental science; zoology and wildlife sciences; forensics; and more.

Biology is the study of life and living organisms, including their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution. In order to succeed in biology, students should be passionate about the natural world and demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Career Outlook

The applications for a course of study in Biology, or a degree in Biotechnology or Natural Science, include a variety of careers in the sciences in both private and public industry. Many jobs in biology or the natural sciences require a Ph.D.; taking biology classes or pursuing a Biotechnology or Natural Science degree at Skyline College is a good launching point for pursuing further education at a four-year college or university.

Biologists spend much of their time working in offices and conducting research in laboratories. Most biologists work full time. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Biological Scientists in California make an average of $98,800 per year.

Looking for a list of classes offered in upcoming semesters?

Check out the current class schedule.
Program Type Total Units
Allied Health Science AS 60 Units
Biotechnology AS 60 Units
Natural Science AS 60 Units
Biology for Transfer AS-T 60 Units

The Skyline College STEM Center brings together academic and student support services for students taking science, technology, engineering and math courses.

The center supports student success by ensuring students have access to resources such as academic tutoring, counseling services, a resource depository for STEM pathways and transfer, a hub for internships and work based learning opportunities, as well as a place where students and staff can collaborate and build a community and supportive connection.

Check out the STEM Center

Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

General Education

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and the ability to use appropriate models to solve problems.
  • Apply the knowledge of biological science to distinguish between observations, inferences, relationships, and testimonials under investigation.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use scientific knowledge to assess personal and environmental health.
  • Use the scientific knowledge and skills necessary for active citizenship.

Honors

  • Discuss and understand one area of biological science (e.g., marine mammals; emerging infectious disease)

Majors

  • Demonstrate understanding of how the major groups of living organisms are related to each other and of their adaptations for survival.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the major concepts in cell biology, and the experimental approaches taken to address them.
  • Write clear and well-argued descriptions of topics in biological sciences, based on the course material and articles.
  • Master laboratory techniques including microscopy, spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis, and PCR.
  • Design, perform and analyze experiments in biology.
  • Continue with upper division coursework in Biology.

Allied Health

  • Use aseptic technique in clinical and laboratory environments.
  • Discuss and understand the role of microorganisms in healthy individuals and in infectious diseases.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the structure of the human body.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the organ systems of the human body.
  • Apply the concept of homeostasis to basic principles in medicine.
  • Discuss and understand the principles of cellular metabolism, molecular genetics, and immunology.
Office Information

Location: Building 7, Room 7-130
Phone: (650) 738-4221

Biology & Chemistry Scholars (BCS) is an accelerated STEM learning community designed to support students in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, and pre-health or pre-medical pathways. BCS students are enrolled in accelerated math and entry-level biology and chemistry courses to establish foundational skills. Students enrolled in BCS take major-related courses together with their cohort until transfer. It's an amazing community!

Through support cohort-based learning and participation in introductory research, students advance through the biology and chemistry pathway, gaining valuable skill sets for internship placement, transfer, and career readiness.

BCS prepares students for an Associate of Science Degree for Transfer (AS-T) in Biology and transfer to university. We provide our students a specific STEM course “track” based on their intended field of study to guarantee that their efforts satisfy both general transfer requirements and lower-division requirements for their major.

Have Questions?

For more information on program enrollment, please contact Luis Prado, STEM Retention Specialist. The program is a fall-start program that accepts students enrolling in BIO 215, CHEM 192, or CHEM 210 during the Fall.

Program Benefits

  • Learn together: Each cohort receives priority enrollment for impacted STEM courses and are enrolled in major-related courses together for four to six semesters until transfer.
  • Explore your career options: Students gain exposure to opportunities in biology and chemistry pathways through field trips, extracurricular activities, and mentorship.
  • Gain tangible experience: Students gain introductory research experience and build valuable skills in our Innovation Lab.
  • Prepare for your future: Prepare for internship placement through workshops on resume building, interviewing, and professional etiquette.

Department Faculty

Shari Bookstaff
Shari Bookstaff (Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
bookstaffs@smccd.edu More details »
Carina Anttila-Suarez
Carina Anttila-Suarez (Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
anttilasuarezc@smccd.edu More details »
Kim Touneh
Kim Touneh (Assistant Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
tounehk@smccd.eduMore details »
Nick Kapp
Nick Kapp (Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
kapp@smccd.edu More details »
Yancy Aquino
Yancy Aquino (Adjunct Faculty)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
aquinoy@smccd.edu More details »
Jing Folsom
Jing Folsom (Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Division Office
folsomj@smccd.edu More details »
Javier Silva
Javier Silva (Assistant Professor)
Math|Science-Biology
silvaj@smccd.eduMore details »
Jamil Kanaaneh
Jamil Kanaaneh (Adjunct Faculty)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
kanaanehj@smccd.edu
 
More details »
Oliver Yuan
Oliver Yuan (Assistant Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
yuano@smccd.eduMore details »
John McDaniel
John McDaniel (Adjunct Faculty)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
mcdanielj@smccd.eduMore details »
Heather Gerrish
Heather Gerrish (Assistant Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Health Science (HSCI)
gerrishh@smccd.eduMore details »
James Smiley
James Smiley (Adjunct Faculty)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
smileyj@smccd.eduMore details »
Kevin Davis
Kevin Davis (Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
davisk@smccd.eduMore details »
Leslie Timpe
Leslie Timpe (Instructor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
timpel@smccd.edu More details »
Brennan Wenck-Reilly
Brennan Wenck-Reilly (Assistant Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Biology (BIOL)
wenckreillyb@smccd.eduMore details »
Daljeet Singh
Daljeet Singh (Assistant Professor)
Science|Math|Technology-Division Office
singhd@smccd.eduMore details »