HUMAN BIOLOGY – FALL 2026

Coordinators: Mark Cardillo, David Bartash, Marian Schulteis

This course explores the fascinating systems and components of the human body; i.e., the brain and nervous system, the heart and circulatory system, and the digestive system. In addition to the body’s principal systems, we look at specific and important components, such as the complexity and function of the cell, discrimination of cancer tissues, and how the body changes with age.

To view a video click on the link above its description.

HUMAN BIOLOGY
Systems of the Body

Presenter: Marion Schulteis
Presentation Date: September 17, 2026

Your body is the most remarkable machine you will ever own. Every second, its organs, tissues, and trillions of cells are communicating, solving problems, and working together to keep you alive.

In this first class, we’ll take a fascinating preview of the human body, its systems and organs, that we’ll explore throughout the course. Along the way, I’ll share some of the surprising discoveries I made while researching each system — and a few things about your body that may surprise you.

HUMAN BIOLOGY
Understanding the Cell

Presenter: Bob Majeska
Presentation Date: October 1, 2026

Cells are fundamental units of all living entities; they sustain themselves, grow and reproduce independently. Cells with rare exceptions have retained these capabilities as they combine to generate all the life forms we recognize. Knowing how individual cells operate is useful not only to understand how the organisms they comprise (like humans) function – but also the basis for many diseases and their treatments.

This session will review several aspects of cells and how they operate. Topics will include cell composition (NOTE: a modicum of chemistry here), cell “anatomy” (structures identifiable under microscopes of different power) and processes common to all cells (energy utilization, growth, reproduction, death). The session will also consider how cells become specialized in making different tissues and how cells communicate.