Life Sciences

How do I contact the department?

Please see our Contact page.

Where can I get help deciding which classes to take?

Students are advised to confer with a counselor to plan an effective and efficient sequence of courses and preparation for transfer. Students interested in the Health Sciences should request to speak with a health science counselor. Counselors are available daily to see students on a drop-in basis only, first come, first served. Students are encouraged to plan early each semester in order to avoid longer waits encountered during priority registration. Days and hours for the Counseling Department are available at the following link: http://www.santarosa.edu/app/counseling/

Which classes in this department can be used for a biological science transfer requirement (IGETC Area 5)?

BIO 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 10, 12, 13, 25, 26, ANAT 1, PHYSIO 1, MICRO 5

Do I have to take classes in a particular sequence to earn an A.A. or A.S. degree?

Please see our Majors & Transfer page

How do I get into anatomy and physiology classes?

Please read information on Allied Health Prerequisite Science Classes

What is a shadow lab?

These are temporary lab sections for students who essentially are on a wait list to take the spaces of students who drop from the regular sections during the first weeks of class. Shadow labs are utilized for both BIO 10 and ANAT 1, two of our very impacted classes in which enrollments are limited due to the number of lab stations. A number of students drop from these classes during the first weeks of each semester and by having these shadow labs we ensure that as many students as possible get into these classes.

The only way to get into a shadow lab is to show up on the first day of class for the lecture section that you wish to enroll in. No add codes for shadow labs are given prior to the start of a semester. On that first day, details about shadow labs will be explained and, because more students usually want to enroll than can be accommodated in the lab, a lottery is usually held to determine who is admitted to the class. Students in shadow labs are moved into permanent sections as spaces become available, which usually is during the first 3 weeks of the semester.

Students hoping to make it into a shadow section should be sure that they have satisfied all of the required prerequisites for the class and should have their official transcripts on file with SRJC if any of the prerequisites were taken at other schools., including best course sequences and strategies to get into these impacted courses.

Can I get credit for a course by taking an exam?

The Life Science Department currently offers Credit by Exam for the following courses: Bio 10, Anat 1, Anat 58, Anat 140, Physio 1, Physio 58. These exams are given approximately mid-semester each semester. Specific dates are announced in the student paper Bear Facts and on flyers in department windows and bulletin boards. Students must contact the department chair to fill out paperwork in order to take these exams.

Can I do an independent study project and earn credit or use department resources?

Students wishing to do independent study projects must enroll in BIO 49, Special Studies in Biology. These students must have taken at least one regular course in the department and must have a full-time faculty member who is willing to supervise and grade their project. After conferring with a faculty member, students must contact the department chair to fill out the necessary paperwork to sign up for this course. NOTE: BIO 49 has recently been changed to follow new State guidelines on course repeatability. BIO 49 can only be taken for 1 unit (3 hours of work/week), and can only be taken one time.