BIO201 & BIO205 Placement
Introductory Biology for Allied Health (BIO 156) is a cell and molecular biology course that sets the foundation for Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 201 and BIO 202) and Microbiology (BIO 205). We have found that students who do not have a working knowledge of the topics covered in BIO 156 have difficulty passing A&P and Microbiology.
To help ensure the chances for student success in these 200-level courses, the Biology Department at Glendale Community College has developed two Biology placement tools so that students without BIO 156 or 181 can evaluate their preparation and make the best choice as to which is the most appropriate initial college biology course.
You must be eligible to enroll in CRE 101 in order to register for BIO 156, 181, 201 or 205. Eligibility is determined based either on high school GPA or GED test scores or a score on the reading comprehension test (ACCUPLACER) that places you as eligible for or exempt from CRE101*. Completing RDG100 or RDG100LL with a “C” or better will also meet the prerequisite to be able to enroll in CRE101. NOTE: This reading requirement is in addition to the expected biology preparation that must be demonstrated by one of the two options listed below.
* (see MCCCD course placement for ACCUPLACER scores required to test at these levels)
Option 1: If you earned a "C" or better in BIO156 or BIO181
Register for BIO 201 or 205 if you meet the minimum critical reading level described in the second paragraph above and meet the course prerequisites.
Option 2: If you have taken high school biology or college-level general biology
Have you taken a year of high school biology or a college-level non-majors general biology course (such as BIO101 or 102) with a grade of “C” or better (ideally within the last three years) and meet the minimum reading requirement, detailed in the second paragraph above? Then visit Testing Services to take the "Self-Assessment for BIO 201 and 205" before enrolling in BIO 201 or 205. This computerized, multiple-choice exam is given at Testing Services on a walk-in basis. One test is allowed every three (3) months. Scores are valid for one year.
In order to enroll in BIO 201 or 205, you must:
- provide a copy of a transcript documenting the biology course,
- discuss your assessment score with a GCC academic advisor and obtain his/her signature. If you score 70% or higher on this test, the advisor will give you permission to enroll in BIO 201 or 205. If you score lower than this and, after your discussion with your advisor, if you still wish to do so, you can enroll in BIO 201 or 205; however, our data indicate that you will not be well prepared for these rigorous 200-level courses and are unlikely to earn a grade of A or B.
Our advisors want to "set you up to succeed" and will urge you to invest a semester in BIO 156 or 181 to increase your odds of doing well in Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology. Students generally achieve more timely academic progress if they come into their advanced courses with a solid foundation in biology.
Preparation for option 2: The concepts covered in BIO 156 and included on the self-assessment are outlined in the course competencies. There are no study materials provided, but reviewing these topics in a college general biology book may be helpful. The text used for BIO 156 is Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections by Taylor, et al. Pearson (Chapters 1-12). It is on reserve in the GCC Library. Another free resource is OpenStax textbook Concepts of Biology by Fowler et al. (Chapters #1-9)