MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Life Sciences provides students with a high-quality education focusing on biological principles and apprising students about current issues in life sciences and healthcare. 

We understand that teaching practice is never completely under the control of the instructor but exists in the interaction between the instructor and the learner (Teemant & Pinnegar, 2019). 

  • ​We value and respect contribution from all learners.
  • We provide rigorous curricula that are rooted in assessment-driven best practices.
  • We foster critical thinking skills through scientific inquires and solving authentic cases.
  • We strive to engage students with meaningful activities, stimulating discussions and impactful research.
  • We cultivate the awareness of global concerns and actions in our local communities. 

COURSES OFFERED

Biology

  • Biology 107 Nutrition-Consumer Education
  • Biology 113 The Biology of Women
  • Biology 114 General Education Biology
  • Biology 115 Human Biology
  • Biology 116 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
  • Biology 119 Environmental Biology
  • Biology 120 Terminology for Medical Careers
  • Biology 121 Biology I
  • Biology 122 Biology II
  • Biology 130 Human Cadaver Anatomy I
  • Biology 131 Human Cadaver Anatomy II
  • Biology 209 Biochemistry
  • Biology 226 Human Structure and Function I
  • Biology 227 Human Structure and Function II
  • Biology 240 Vertebrate Embryology
  • Biology 295 Undergraduate Research in Biology

Microbiology

  • Microbiology 233 General Microbiology

Department Learning Outcomes

  1. ​Conduct scientific experiments using principles of scientific inquiry and common laboratory equipment
  2. Demonstrate the skill to assess and analyze data
  3. Apply Understanding of scientific methods to interpret published scientific studies conducted by researchers
  4. Describe key properties and common processes in all living organisms.
  5. Relate the homeostasis maintained by cellular processes (Biology) or various organ systems (Human Biology) to their structures
  6. Examine the interactions between the processes of evolution and diseases or ecology
  7. Describe the impact of biological issues on the adoption of social practices globally
  8. Incorporate viewpoints and information from global or diverse sources​

ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

​We also benefit from various partnerships. With the support from MXC health science programs, our students have experienced virtual patient technology in classroom. Rush Medical School has generously sponsored our student visits to their human cadaver lab.                                                   

Life Sciences Faculty & Staff Directory

Department Chairs

Imran Khan, Assistant Professor
Office: 2401-N / ikhan36@ccc.edu ​
 
Marcela Bernal-Munera, Instructor 
Office: 2401-L / mbernal-munera@ccc.edu   
 

Faculty

Ashraf Ali, Instructor             
Office: 2401-086 / aali9@ccc.edu            
        
Maaly Bassiony, Instructor              
Office: 2401-085 / mbassiony@ccc.edu
 
Chiju Chen, Assistant Professor 
Office: 2401-083 / chuang16@ccc.edu             
        
Bethany Elkington, Instructor               
Office: 2401-094 / belkington@ccc.edu             
        
Peter Grudzien, Assistant Professor              
Office: 2401-080 / pgrudzien@ccc.edu             
        
Tracie Hudson, Assistant Professor              
Office: 2401-079 / thudson@ccc.edu             
        
Azmia Javed, Assistant Professor              
Office: 2401-087 / ajaved6@ccc.edu 
 
Fatima Javed, Instructor 
Office: 2401-077 / fjaved@ccc.edu
           
Ryan Manow, Instructor 
Office: 2401-091 / rmanow@ccc.edu
 
Erin McMurray, Associate Professor 
Office: 2401-085 / emcmurray@ccc.edu 
 
Ghulam Saadat, Instructor
Office: 2401-088 / gsaadat@ccc.edu
 
Inderroop Singh, Instructor 
Office: 2401-097 / isingh2@ccc.edu
 
Avni Thaci, Instructor
Office: 2401-084 / athaci@ccc.edu 
 
Sheila Wicks, Instructor 
Office: 2401-089 / swicks2@ccc.edu​