Biological Sciences
Associate Degree Program: 20 Units
Biology 6 General Biology I 5 units
Biology 7 General Biology II 5 units
Chem 101 General Chemistry I 5 units
Chem 102 General Chemistry II 5 units
Our biology major provides students with a firm foundation for transfer to four-year universities. It is one of the reasons why we
emphasize chemistry, which serves as a prerequisite for General Biology I (Bio 6). The Bio 6 laboratory experiments focus on
chemical analysis, microscopy, chromatography, cell structure and physiology, genetics, and DNA technologies. This course is the
necessary preparation for our exceptional Biotechnology class (Bio 40, see below). We are fortunate to offer subject-specific
labs to enhance our Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Biology and Marine Biology courses. We anticipate adding, Environmental
Science, Lab Technician, Xeroscape and other “green” related job skills and subjects to our curricula. Many courses include field
trips which develop students’ meticulous observational capabilities and appreciation for the richness and diversity that makes up
the existence and evolution of all living organisms.
The general requirements
for an Associate in Arts degree is
described starting on page 33 of the
2012-2013
LAVC Catalog.
Information regarding requirements for transfer to 4-year universities
begins on p. 21 in the
2012-2013
LAVC Catalog.
Information regarding
Certificate Programs can be found on p. 44 in the
2012-2013 LAVC Catalog.
Research Opportunities
Original research projects and
research-oriented seminars are available through Directed Study courses
(185, 285, 385). These
courses are widely diverse, and include
special projects in gardening, botanical techniques, journal club, cat
dissection, bird
watching, and presentation
techniques. Courses are worth 1-3 units, and may be transferable
to UC/CSU. Check with the
instructor offering the
Directed Study for more information.
Biotechnology
With the emergence of a new course in
molecular biology (Biology 40) and a planned program in bioinformatics, the LAVC
biology department is establishing curricula that
are competitive in biotechnology throughout the region.
Many schools need to
teach these concepts
through lecture only; our labs,
however, offer a rare hands-on opportunity to experiment with
electrophoresis,
transformation, purification of DNA, restriction analysis,
DNA hybridization, sequencing and fingerprinting, among other topics.
Our facilities and faculty are fully equipped to advance your
professional goals on an equal footing with major
universities.
Please
contact one of the Biology 40
instructors for information about this exciting and growing sub-field in
biology.
Science Speakers Series
The Biology Department in conjunction with PESSA offers a Science
Speakers Series once a year. This series allows us to invite
Scientists and Researchers to
the campus from the surrounding Universities and Industry to share their
recent advancements and
discoveries to Valley College
students and staff as well as the general public. The initial idea in
the generation of this program
was a way to “bring the
students’ text books to life”. Topics have covered a broad range such as
general biological research,
physiology and health, as well
as emergency preparedness. Thus far we have had speakers who have
addressed subjects such
as advances in the
rehabilitation of spinal cord injury, stem cell research in cancer, HIV
and prenatal care, the importance of
vitamin D in the prevention of
disease as well as the presence of Argentinean ants in Southern
California to name a few. There is
something for everyone.
