Biology
Biology
Welcome to the Biological Sciences Department. Biology is the study of life. No matter what you are going to major in, you can always find something exciting in our offerings. This includes your own body systems, DNA, genetics, living things around us, and how you can help the environment.
Learn more about the branches of biology at:
The Biology Department offers courses in Anatomy, Biotechnology (contracted only), majors and non-majors Biology, Microbiology and Physiology. These courses meet general education and lower division transfer requirements for the Biology and Allied Health Preparation tracks.
Our department also has a Biology Tutoring Lab - the hours can be found below.
| Contact |
|---|
| Chairperson Sara Huang |
| Phone (818) 947-2877 |
| Email huangss@lavc.edu |
| Office Location Allied Health & Sciences Building (AHS) Floor 2, room 200 |
| Office Hours 7:45am-4:15pm |
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Department |
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Pathway |
Degrees
Biology Degrees AS and AS-T in Biology
You may earn an AS degree in Biology and AS-T degree. Click the tabs below to find out about the Biology degrees.
- Biology is the scientific study of life. Biology examines the basic cellular biology, metabolism, genetics, molecular biology, and the relationship between form and function of living organisms. Biology explores the unifying principles of biology through the study of phylogeny, taxonomy, organismal structure/function, evolution, and ecology. The goal of The Associate in Science in Biology for Transfer Degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Biology or similar major.
Allied Health Preparation
This degree or certificate prepares students for careers in health care, such as nursing, respiratory therapy, and allied fields in health care. In completing this degree or certificate, students will build a strong foundation of scientific knowledge and meet many of the necessary prerequisites for continued study in the LAVC Nursing program, the LAVC Respiratory Therapy program, or transfer to similar programs at other campuses.
This degree is for students interested in careers in health care, such as nursing, respiratory therapy, and allied fields in health care. In completing this degree, students will build a strong foundation of scientific knowledge and meet many of the necessary prerequisites for continued study in the LAVC Nursing program, the LAVC Respiratory Therapy program, or transfer to similar programs at other campuses. The requirements for continued study vary by program and campus, so it is essential that students discuss their career plans with a counselor to ensure they select the best courses to meet their needs.
This certificate is for students interested in careers in health care, such as nursing, respiratory therapy, and allied fields in health care. In completing this certificate, students will build a strong foundation of scientific knowledge and meet many of the necessary prerequisites for continued study in the LAVC Nursing program, the LAVC Respiratory Therapy program, or transfer to similar programs at other campuses. The requirements for continued study vary by program and campus, so it is essential that students discuss their career plans with a counselor to ensure they select the best courses to meet their needs.
Faculty
Full-time Faculty
| Name | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Sara Huang | (818) 947-2877 Office: AHS 208 huangss@lavc.edu |
| Suzanne L. Baldwin | (818) 778-5877 Office: AHS 218 baldwisl@lavc.edu |
| Erika H. Brockmann | (818) 778-5875 Office: AHS 216 brockmeh@lavc.edu |
| Pamela B. Byrd-Williams | (818) 947-2880 Office: AHS 215 byrdwipb@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Becky Green-Marroquin | (818) 947-2878 Office: AHS 227 greenmbl@lavc.edu |
| Estenia Haley | (818) 778-5879 Office: AHS 221 haleyel@lavc.edu |
| Youssef Harfouche | (818) 778-5867 Office: AHS 204 harfouyg@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Kathy Hosseini | (818) 947-2882 Office: AHS 217 hosseik@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Patrick Lyons | (818) 778-5868 Office: AHS 203 lyonspj@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Houri Manoukian | (818) 947-2520 Office: AHS 223 manoukha@lavc.edu |
| Natalie Pilikian | (818) 947-2518 Office: AHS 220 pilikin@email.laccd.edu |
Antonia Rizo |
(818) 947-2881 Office: AHS 222 rizoa@lavc.edu |
| Barbara Sanchez | (818) 947-2311 Office: AHS 205 sanchebd@lavc.edu |
| Lisa Zung |
(818) 778-5878 |
Adjunct Faculty
| Name | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Dr. Shahram Bakhtiari | (818) 947-2600 x8349 Office: AHS 209 bakhtis@lavc.edu |
| Ruma Banerjee | Office: AHS 207 banerjr@email.laccd.edu |
| Stephanie Benseman | (818) 947-2600 x 6076 Office: AHS 207 bensemsa@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Juan Luis Cazares | Office: AHS 209 cazarejl@lattc.edu |
| Dr. Joe Frantz | (818) 947-2600 x2748 Office: AHS 207 frantzjc@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Larry Harris | Office: AHS 202 harrislj2@email.laccd.edu |
| Dr. Ken Hoang | (818) 947-2600 x8598 Office: AHS 209 hoangkt@lavc.edu |
| Jacob M Holmes | Office: AHS 209 holmesjm@email.laccd.edu |
| Dr. Paul Lonquich | (818) 947-2600 x8152 Office: AHS 206 lonquipd@lavc.edu |
| Dr. Lawrence T. Nakamura | (818) 947-2600 x2883 Office: AHS 226 nakamult@lavc.edu |
| Adrian Paz | Office: AHS 202 paza2@laccd.edu |
| Meaghan Pohl | Office: AHS 206 swintema@email.laccd.edu |
| Lynn Polasek | Office: AHS 207 polaselm@lavc.edu |
| Kathleen Thornber | Office: AHS 202 thornbka@email.laccd.edu |
| Simon Wahla | (818) 947-2600 x 6068 Office: AHS 206 wahlasa@lavc.edu |
Faculty Profiles
Click below to learn about the Biology faculty.
- PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Stony Brook University
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Teaches Introduction to Biology (Bio 3), General Biology II (Bio 7) and Marine Biology (Bio 22)
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Interested in marine biology, coral reef ecology, evolutionary biology, and ichthyology
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Role in the Department - none
- Fun Fact - I enjoy all things outdoors: hiking, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, surfing, SCUBA diving, and landscape photography
- Masters in Biology, California State University, Northridge
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Courses taught/teaches: Introduction to Human Biology (Biology 5), Introduction to Biology (Biology 3), Human Anatomy (Anatomy 1), General Biology II (Biology 7), Zoology, Botany, Environmental Science, and Marine Biology.
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Areas of interest: My focus are in Ecology, Biology and Marine Biology.
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Role in department: Biology 3 committee and Biology Museum Collection committee
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Fun fact: I am a scientific diver and angler and I enjoy hiking with my dog.
- M.S. in Biology, CSU Northridge
- Teaches: Introduction to Human Anatomy (Anatomy 1), Introduction to Biology (Bio 3), General Biology I (Bio 6), and General Biology II (Bio 7)
- Interests include ecology, evolution and plant biology
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Role in department - Departmental Botanist and Gold Creek Representative
- Fun fact: I love botanical gardens, weird plants, taking naps in air-conditioned rooms and sandwiches.
Learn About Biology
LAVC Career & Academic Pathway - Biology
Have you ever had dreams of becoming a beer or wine maker? How about a bio-animation artist or forensic investigator? A career in Biology can be paired with your favorite interests and hobbies such as food, drawing and the legal system. The more popular career choices remain in the Health Care, Allied Health and Health Related fields, but you can always choose to become a Zoo Keeper, Environmental Scientist or Lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
Degrees and Program Mapper
No, at LAVC we offer the combination of a lab and lecture as one section.
You should go to whichever part is scheduled first. Most of labs are met in person on campus.
You will need to take your transcripts to the Counseling Department for them to clear your prerequisite after the counselor determines equivalence.
There is a Prerequisite/Co-requisite Challenge Form you may submit to the Biology Department Chair. Fill it out the form, attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts from LAVC and/or your other college, as well as a Course Outline from the catalog year you took the course of the class you want considered as the prerequisite. Bring all materials to the Biology Department in AHS 200. For more information, call (818) 947-2514.
You may contact your professor via the email, and phone for our faculty are all listed. Or you can call Biology Department at (818) 947 -2514.