Prephysician Assistant Certificate

This course is the first of a four-course sequence that is completed by BIOL SCI 217 in the fall quarter, BIOL SCI 219 in the winter and BIOL SCI 308 in the spring. The genetics and molecular biology course covers the principles of inheritance; gene function; mechanisms by which DNA is replicated, transcribed into RNAs, and translated into proteins; and the basics of the process of natural selection.

Prerequisite: one year of general chemistry with laboratory (CHEM 101, 102, 103 or CHEM 110, 131, 132).

This course is the second in a four-course sequence that is completed by BIOL SCI 219 in the winter and BIOL SCI 308 in the spring. The physiology course covers organization and functioning of the major organ systems in mammals.

A lab course, BIOL SCI 220 Genetic and Molecular Laboratory, may be taken concurrently with this course. 

This course is the third course in a four-course sequence that is completed by BIOL SCI 308 in the spring. The cell biology course covers mechanisms that cells use to compartmentalize and transport proteins, to move, to regulate growth and death, and to communicate with their environments. This course was formerly BIOL SCI 216. Students who have previously taken BIOL SCI 216 should not register for this course.

A lab course, BIOL SCI 221 Cellular Processes Laboratory, may be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or 132.

Laboratory techniques and experiments in fundamental aspects of transmission genetics and molecular biology. Credit for this course is 0.34 units.

Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or 132.

Laboratory techniques and experiments in fundamental aspects of cell biology. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or CHEM 132.

The Investigative Laboratory is a hypothesis driven, discovery based laboratory class. During the quarter, students will be engaged in independent laboratory research projects where they will design and implement their own experiments centered around a central theme. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 or CHEM 132.

This course is the conclusion of a four-course sequence, BIOL SCI 215, 217, and 219. The course covers basic concepts in biochemistry, emphasizing the structure and function of biological macromolecules, fundamental cellular biochemical processes, and the chemical logic in metabolic transformations. This course was formerly BIOL SCI 218. Students who have previously taken BIOL SCI 218 should not register for this course.


A lab course, BIOL SCI 222 Investigative Laboratory, may be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 217 or 219 and CHEM 210-A.

This course is an introduction to human anatomy. Topics include: system approach to anatomical organization; sections of the body; musculoskeletal and nervous systems; embryology development. Lectures are supplemented by selected prosections of human cadavers and dry exercises using bones, models, and computer animations. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 165, 170, or equivalent course.

This course is conducted completely online.This is a course on human anatomy, focusing on morphology and function. It follows both a regional and systems approach. All course content, activities, and assessments will be online learning activities and assessments. The course will also have a broad emphasis on clinical application that is applicable to all health care professions. The course covers gross anatomy of the human body; therefore, images of human cadavers will be presented in your textbook, as well as in other course resources. Readings are assigned from the Marieb, Wilhelm and Mallatt text. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 165, 170, or equivalent course.

This course will be conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition. There will be optional online office hours on Thursday from 6:15-9:15pm.

This is a lab course utilizing prosections and demonstrations of human cadavers. It is an advanced anatomy course examining the details of human body systems. Topics include: Body wall and cavities, contents and features of the thorax and abdomen (cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems), pelvis (genito-urinary system), spinal cord and back, innervation and blood supply of the upper and lower limbs, cranial cavities and contents, cranial nerves and blood supply of the head and neck. The majority of the coursework will be done in the cadaver lab, with limited lectures to introduce topics. The lab work will be guided by a lab workbook, handouts and instructor demonstrations. Models, bones (skeletal materials), skulls, and medical images will supplement the cadaver prosections. Lab work will be assessed by the weekly lab assignment, three practical quizzes and a written final exam. A research project will be assigned to allow the student to bridge their knowledge of lab anatomy with more clinical concepts. Students are expected to follow all lab safety guidelines including the cadaver lab dress code; also students should show respect for the cadavers at all times.

Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 313-CN or equivalent.

Schedule note: This course will meet for the first time on Friday, October 5, 6:15 - 9:15 pm.

This course provides an introduction to microbiology with an emphasis on bacteria and viruses and their impact on human health and society. Topics covered include: introduction to microbiology including the evolution of microorganisms; essentials of bacterial, archaeal, eukaryotic and viruses; morphological, physiological and genetic elements; the general principles of bacterial growth and control of microorganisms in the environment; principles of microbial molecular biology and genetics including basics of bacterial genome replication; bacterial pathogenesis and current challenges regarding antimicrobial resistance. This course will also provide an introduction to the primary microbiology literature. Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 210-C or BIOL SCI 217.

This course will have a lab component integrated into the lecture time. A lab fee will be applied to tuition.

Solution strategies for traditional word problems and their application to basic chemistry quantitative problems: dimensional analysis, chemical equations, stoichiometry, limiting reagents

Quantum mechanics, electronic structure, periodic properties of the elements, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, intermolecular forces, properties of solids and liquids, special topics in modern chemistry. Must be taken concurrently with the Chem 141-CN laboratory course. Prerequisite: Chem 110-CN (C- or better).

Solutions and colligative properties, chemical equilibrium, aqueous solution equilibria, chemical kinetics, metals in chemistry and biology, oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry, special topics in modern chemistry. Must be taken concurrently with the Chem 142-CN laboratory course. Prerequisite: CHEM 131-CN and 141-CN (C- or better in both courses).

Chemical analysis of real samples using basic laboratory techniques including titration, colorimetric analysis, density measurements, and atomic spectroscopy. Planning, data collection, interpretation, and reporting on experiments. Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Enrollment is concurrent with CHEM 131-CN. Prerequisite: CHEM 110 (C– or better).

General Chemistry Lab 2 is a laboratory course in which techniques applied to materials science and nanotechnology, acid-base chemistry, and chemical kinetics will be employed. Major objectives involve work involving planning, data collection, interpretation, and reporting on experiments. The course must be taken concurrently with CHEM 132.

Credit for this course is 0.34 units. Prerequisite: grade of C- or higher in CHEM 131 or equivalent course, or consent of instructor.

This course is the first of a three-course sequence that is completed by CHEM 210-B in the winter quarter, and CHEM 210-C in the spring quarter. Basic concepts of organic chemistry will be presented, including hybridization, resonance, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and reaction mechanisms. The preparation and reactions of alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will also be covered. There will be some additional lectures on Saturday mornings, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., to be arranged once the quarter begins. Prerequisite: completion of General Chemistry Sequence (CHEM 110, 131, 132 and 141, 142) with a grade of C- or better, or equivalent transfer credit with qualifying score on the Chemistry Placement Exam.

The intent of this course is to familiarize students with a wide range of Greek- and Latin-derived words encountered in scientific and primarily medical fields. Students learn the basic components and an understanding of the underlying principles of word formation, which includes acquiring a basic vocabulary of word roots, prefixes, and suffixes, much of which is a matter of applied memorization. It also includes analysis of words, aiming at an understanding of the relationship of their various components. Students will be able to develop, practice, reinforce and test these skills through a variety of in-class exercises, as well as regular tests (weekly quizzes, a midterm and a cumulative final exam). Once equipped with the knowledge of how all such words function, the meaning of thousands of scientific words encountered in context may be inferred with reasonable assurance of accuracy. 

Another aim of the course is to acquaint students with the ancient Greek and Roman roots of scientific (specifically medical) inquiry. We will explore the ancients’ philosophical ideas and understanding of the workings of the human body and mind and their views on health, healing, and disease patterns and patient care. We will also examine developments in science broadly speaking, and discoveries and advancements in ancient anatomy, physiology, surgery and pharmacology with ramifications for modern science in general, and medicine in particular.

No prior knowledge of Greek and Latin is required for this course.

Prohealth Proseminar I will meet during the first fall quarter of the students’ pre-health program to prepare students to succeed in the professional health careers program. This proseminar series will be completed by PROHLTH 396-B: Prohealth Proseminar II in the students’ final spring quarter. This non-credit course covers topics including adjusting to life as a science student, academic resources, extracurricular resources, and preparing for the professional/medical school application process. There is no tuition charged for this course.

This course is by permission only and available only to students in the professional health careers certificate program. Please email erin.cable@northwestern.edu for a permission number.

This non-credit proseminar is for students in the Professional Health Careers certificate programss. This course prepares students for the year-long application cycle beginning in the summer. This course will provide opportunities for students to work on major application components as part of the coursework, including their AMCAS activities listing, preparing a strong personal statement, selecting target medical/professional schools, and navigating the centralized application. The course will also allow students to practice their interviewing skills and plan for their glide year.

There is no tuition charged for this course.

This course is by permission only and available only to students in the professional health careers certificate program. Please email lindsey.taylor@northwestern.edu for a permission number.

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of statistics. Throughout the course, students will learn to: summarize data using graphs and tables; explain/calculate descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, correlation, regression, and probability; and explain tests of significance and data-production including sampling and experiments. Basic knowledge of algebra is recommended.