Life Sciences, Bachelor of Science
(184-186 credits)
Program Description
The Life Sciences program at SKC is a four-year degree program that is designed to teach students about how molecules interact within living cells, through the study of molecular and cellular biology and chemistry. An active, hands-on research experience is an integral part of the program. This program offers paid laboratory internships, as well as academic credit for working in SKC’s two research laboratories – the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (SKC-ECL), and the Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (SKC-CMBL). Students with productive research projects often travel to national meetings ranging from Hawaii to Washington D.C. to present their work.
The Life Sciences program offers two tracks that differ only in the classes taken in the senior year. One is the “Cellular Biology” track, which focuses this last year on a more in-depth study of molecular and cellular processes, and the other the “Environmental Health” track that focuses more on tribal environmental health issues, epidemiology, environmental chemistry and toxicology.
The Life Sciences Program welcomes students with Associate of Science degrees from other programs. Such students will need to work closely with an advisor to ensure that the course requirements of the Freshman and Sophomore years are met and students can progress.
Life Sciences Research Laboratories
Salish Kootenai College Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (SKC-CMBL)
The Salish Kootenai College Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (SKC-CMBL) is a student’s link between class work and the latest instrumentation and discoveries in biology, medicine and biotechnology. The variety of instrumentation available within the SKC-CMBL allows students to pursue interests ranging from viruses to whole cells, tissues and organs. The SKC-CMBL utilizes PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) in combination with other techniques to study DNA, genomes, gene regulation, proteins and cells. Additionally, SKC-CMBL is hunting for new viruses, in hopes of discovering new anti-bacterial agents (antibiotics) as well as gaining important insights into how living organisms, including man, adapt to their environments. SKC-CMBL’s new microscopy facility allows students to view detailed structure and function of cells, tissues and organs as well as perform independent study and research relating to disease, diversity of species, and the environment.
The Salish Kootenai College Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (SKC-ECL)
The Salish Kootenai College Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (SKC-ECL) specializes in the analysis of environmental contaminants in water and soil, as well as plant and animal tissues. SKC-ECL serves as a student-centered training and research lab that offers full analytical chemistry capabilities for students in the General Science, Natural Resources and the Life Sciences Programs. Through laboratory internships, SKC-ECL allows students to gain valuable experience on state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) and atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence spectroscopies (AAS, AFS). Current ongoing projects include investigations of the movement and adverse health effects of heavy metals, such as mercury, and organic contaminants, such as PCBs, in wildlife, and the environment.
Career Opportunities
The knowledge gained within this program will prepare students for a wide range of career options in science. These include a research graduate track, as well as healthcare, industry and government. Depending on the choice of tracks, you could go on to become a pharmacist, a medical doctor, dentist, research scientist, medical technologist, cellular biologist, toxicologist, biochemist, microbiologist, or tribal environmental health specialist.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Bachelor Degree in Life Sciences will be able to:
- Apply the scientific process to study chemical and biological systems
- Apply appropriate quantitative analysis to scientific data
- Communicate scientific information effectively in writing and oral presentations
- Work as part of a productive research group
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards for the responsible conduct of scientific research
- Articulate the relevance of their research to tribal cultural values and indigenous scientific frameworks
Requirements
A student must earn a “C” or better in all required core courses and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate with the B.S. (Life Sciences). Students who graduate with less than a "B" (GPA of 3.0) average may not be eligible for graduate studies. Students should consult with their advisors on their GPA status to align with future career goals.
Students may need to strengthen math, English and writing skills with additional coursework prior to entering the Life Sciences program. Math and science courses that are more than five years old may need to be repeated within the Life Sciences degree program. Your Academic Advisor will help you plan coursework that meets your specific needs and goals.
Curriculum
Fall (First Year)
Winter (First Year)
| CHEM124 | Introduction to General & Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM125 | Introduction to General & Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry lab | 1 |
| ENGL203 | Technical Writing for STEM Majors | 3 |
| OR | |
| ENGL202 | English Composition II | 3 |
| MATH108 | Advanced Functions & Modeling | 3 |
| NASD101 | History of Indians in the United States | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring (First Year)
Fall (Second Year)
| LFSC225 | Science Ethics and Responsible Conduct I | 3 |
| CHEM150 | Principles of General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM151 | Principles of General Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOS233 | Molecular and Cellular Biology I | 5 |
| MATH110 | Calculus I | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Winter (Second Year)
| BIOS235 | Cellular and Molecular Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM152 | Principles of General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM153 | Principles of General Chemistry II Laboratory | 2 |
| LFSC245 | Bioinformatics I | 3 |
| NASD210 | Introduction to Indigenous Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring (Second Year)
Fall (Third Year)
Winter (Third Year)
Spring (Third Year)
| CHEM364 | Organic Chemistry III | 3 |
| CHEM365 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory III | 2 |
| LFSC310 | Essentials of Environmental Health | 3 |
| LFSC340 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| LFSC375S | Life Sciences Seminar I | 1 |
| MATH342 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fall (Fourth Year) – Cellular Biology Track
| ENGL306 | Writing Research Papers | 3 |
| LFSC411 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| LFSC425 | Science Ethics and Responsible Conduct II | 1 |
| LFSC430 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| LFSC475F | Life Sciences Seminar II | 1 |
| LFSC439 | Advanced Cell Biol: Focus Cell Structure | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Winter (Fourth Year) – Cellular Biology Track
Spring (Fourth Year) – Cellular Biology Track
| LFSC479 | Advanced Cell Biology III: Complex Cellular Systems | 3 |
| LFSC454 | Immunology | 4 |
| LFSC470 | One Health | 3 |
| | |
| SPCH360 | Professional Presentation Skills | 3 |
| OR | |
| LFSC495 | Life Science: Senior Research Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Fall (Fourth Year) – Environmental Health Track
| CHEM415 | Environmental Chemistry I | 3 |
| ENGL306 | Writing Research Papers | 3 |
| LFSC405 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| LFSC430 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| LFSC475F | Life Sciences Seminar II | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Winter (Fourth Year) – Environmental Health Track
Spring (Fourth Year) – Environmental Health Track
| NATR390 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LFSC470 | One Health | 3 |
| SPCH360 | Professional Presentation Skills | 3 |
| OR | |
| LFSC495 | Life Science: Senior Research Capstone | 3 |
| LFSC474 | Environmental Microbiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Degree Credits for Environmental Health Track: 184 credits
Total Degree Credits for Cellular Biology Track: 186 credits