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PROGRAMS / COURSE DESCRIPTION
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
BIOL 214 VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
Units: 4.0 - 48-54 hours lecture and 48-54 hours
laboratory. CSU. (Prerequisite: BIOL 100, or H100 or
201 with a grade of “C” or better). May be taken two
times.
This rigorous course provides students with a
comprehensive introduction to the vertebrates by
examining comparative vertebrate morphology,
development, and behavior from an evolutionary
perspective. The lectures present an overview of the
major vertebrate groups, including fish, amphibians,
reptiles, birds, and mammals. Critical analyses of
current controversies in the study of vertebrate evolution
are also discussed, as well as human impacts to
vertebrate species and their environments. Lab work
includes examining living and preserved specimens
(including dissections), providing the opportunity to
examine the structure of organ systems and adaptations
to the environment. Several local field trips are taken to
study vertebrates in the wild and in captivity. This
course, which stresses critical thinking and problemsolving
skills, is designed for pre-professional and
biology majors, but it is open to all students.
BIOL 215 HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY
Units: 4.0 - 48-54 hours lecture and 48-54 hours
laboratory. CSU. (No prerequisite)
An advanced anatomy class that utilizes a regional
approach to the study of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis,
back, extremities, head and neck. Lecture will include
medical/clinical applications and case studies on these
regions. Laboratory includes hands on group dissection
on a whole cadaver; as well as work on a high-level
anatomy software program.
BIOL 221 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
Units: 5.0 - 48-54 hours lecture and 96-108 hours
laboratory. CSU, UC. (Prerequisites: BIOL 100 or BIOL
H100, 107 or 201; CHEM 100 or CHEM H100, or
CHEM 201; all completed with a grade of “C” or better.)
Introduction to bacteria, viruses, and parasitic forms of
protozoa, helminths, and fungi. Examination of
morphological, physiological, and epidemiological
characteristics of these organisms and of the immune
response produced by their hosts.
topics to be covered are biochemical aspects of cell
homeostasis. The laboratory will include demonstrations
and experiments to support basic physiological
concepts. Included are experiments selected
specifically for instruction in the interpretation of
physiological tests and diagnostic testing procedures.
BIOL 233 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU (Prerequisite:
BIOL 231 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.)
This course is designed to promote understanding and
application of fundamental disease processes in clinical
settings. General concepts of disease, including
etiology, pathogenesis, morphology and clinical
significance are discussed. General pathophysiology
concepts include cell injury, necrosis, inflammation,
wound healing and neoplasia. These concepts are
applied in a systems-oriented approach to disease
processes affecting musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary,
renal, nervous, gastrointestinal, immune, hematological
and endocrine systems.
BIOL 250A ECOSYSTEM FIELD BIOLOGY
Units: 3.0 - 16-18 hours lecture and 96-108 hours
laboratory. CSU (Prerequisite: BIOL 100, BIOL H100 or
equivalent. Grade Option)
This course lets students experience various
ecosystems from a fieldwork and research perspective.
Students will learn research techniques hands-on from
basic specimen collecting, species identification, and
data gathering in the field to data analysis and scientific
writing and will apply these in biodiversity surveys of
terrestrial or aquatic habitats or both. An emphasis will
be placed on amphibians and reptiles, or plant life, or
birds, or mammals, or a combination of these
(depending on the specialty of the instructor) and
adaptations to life in tropical or other ecosystems. Pretrip
lectures will include information about habitats and
organisms of the destination country, as well as
previews of activities and adventures you will
experience on the field trip. Trips vary in length from 9
days to 2.5 weeks. This course is intended for biology
majors but is open to all students. Non-majors who
wish to participate with less rigorous course
requirements may wish to enroll in BIOL 98,
Comparative Natural History Studies, which is offered
concurrently.
BIOL 231 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Units: 5.0 - 48-54 hours lecture and 96-108 hours
laboratory. CSU, UC. (Prerequisites: BIOL 100 or BIOL
H100, BIOL 107, BIOL 201, or BIOL 211, CHEM 100 or
CHEM H100, or CHEM 201; all completed with a grade
of “C” or better.)
An introduction to general physiology with emphasis on
the functioning of the human body. Included in the
BIOL H295 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU, UC
(Prerequisites: Biol 100 or H100, Biol 201, Biol 202 or
Biol 231 with a grade of ‘C’ or better). This course may
be taken four times.
An approach to biological research integrating scientific
writing and scholarly presentation methods. Formulating
experimental approaches to current questions in
138 2012-2013 Victor Valley College Catalog