Biology
Biology is an area of study at WVC that is part of the Natural Sciences distribution requirements.
All students from WVC and the colleges and universities they transfer to are required to take general university requirements (GURs) that involve the main disciplines of a liberal arts education. This education includes the natural and physical sciences taught at WVC.
Covers the basic biological principles and processes for the nonscience major. Includes
a basic survey of cell biology, inheritance, reproduction, genetics, classification,
evolution, ecology and principles of living systems. Includes laboratory.
An introductory course about marine life found in the ocean depths, at the polar extremes,
in coral reefs, estuaries and in the open sea. The course includes a survey of plankton,
marine plants and marine animals. In addition, marine communities, resources and human
impacts on marine ecosystems will be covered.
An introductory ecologically oriented biological sciences laboratory course studying,
from an interdisciplinary perspective, the environmental problems confronting humanity.
An understanding of the nature of the ecological crisis and their global implications
will be emphasized. Includes laboratory.
Investigation into the continuity of life, including Mendelian genetics, reproduction,
population genetics, evolutionary processes, and environmental influences on individuals
and populations. Emphasis is on human congenital conditions, reproduction and evolution.
Prerequisites: recent college-level biology course or instructor’s signature.
Field-oriented course exploring the animal life and vegetation of the Pacific Northwest.
Local forests, rivers, lakes and deserts examined with emphasis on ecology and plant
and animal identification. Includes extensive field work. Prerequisites: interest
in our local flora and fauna.
This course is designed to create an awareness and appreciation of arthropods (insects
and their relatives) and their role in the health of the local ecosystem. Course concentrates
on the identification, biology, natural history, and the interaction of arthropods
in their environments. Course designed for biologists, collectors and gardeners.
Identification and the natural history of plants in regional ecosystems of the Pacific
Northwest. Students will be introduced to the principles of plant identification and
survey techniques while studying the local plant communities of the region. Taxonomic
and pictorial keys will be used to identify the plants and their role in their plant
community will be stressed.
Covers the structure and function of cells, metabolism, energetics, cell reproduction,
and Mendelian and molecular genetics. Includes an introduction to the basic principles
of bioinformatics. Recommended for science majors, pre-professional students and allied
health majors. Includes lab component. Prerequisites: recent chemistry class recommended.
Covers the structure and function of plants: plant anatomy, plant physiology, plant
morphology, plant systematics and plant ecology. Plant evolution and diversity integrated
throughout. Recommended for biology majors and pre-professional students. Includes
laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL& 211 with a grade of “C” or better or instructor’s
signature.
Covers the structure and function of animals. Evolution and ecology of animals introduced
in the beginning, then integrated throughout in a survey of the major animal systems.
Animal anatomy, physiology, ecology and evolution emphasized. Recommended for science
majors, especially biology and pre-professional majors. Prerequisites: BIOL& 211 with
"C" grade or better or equivalent or instructor’s signature.
Identification, classification and natural history of native plants in our regional
ecosystems. Principles of plant classification and nomenclature will be introduced
while studying the local native flora of the area. Includes laboratory and field study.
Prerequisites: recent college-level biology course or instructor's signature.
Study of birds: flight, classification, behavior (migration, breeding, communication),
habitats and distribution, and populations and conservation. Lab emphasizes observation
and identification skills. Includes laboratory and field work. Prerequisite: an interest
in birds.
Identification, classification and biology of adult insects represented in our local
fauna. Includes basic insect biology, external anatomy, keying, sight identification,
and collecting and preserving skills. Includes lecture, lab and field work. Prerequisites:
recent college-level biology course or instructor's signature.
Major topics include the physical environment, how organisms interact with each other
and their environment, evolutionary processes, population dynamics, communities, energy
flow and ecosystems, human influences on ecosystems, and the integration and scaling
of ecological processes through systems ecology. Prerequisites: one majors biology
course such as BIOL& 211, 212 or 213.
Ecology lab to accompany Majors Ecology for those needing the lab component to Ecology.
Hands-on, field-based ecology exercises, including terrestrial and aquatic insect
sampling, restoration ecology work, bird capturing and marking, forestry hike, edge-effect
exercise, and exercises in the WVC-constructed aquatic lab. Prerequisites: one majors
biology course such as BIOL& 211, 212 or 213.
Survey of native plants of the Okanogan and their cultural, medicinal, and ecological
importance to the First People and ecosystems of the Plateau Region.
Includes study of cells, tissues, and the skeletal, muscular, integumentary and nervous
systems. Designed primarily for allied health majors. Prerequisites: BIOL& 211 with
a grade of "C" or better or instructor's signature.
Continuation of Biology 241. Systematic treatment of special senses and endocrine,
circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Includes laboratory.
Designed primarily for allied health majors. Prerequisites: BIOL& 241 with a grade
of "C" or better or instructor's signature.
Introduction to the biology of microorganisms. Emphasis on the relationship of microbes
to disease, including prevention, immunology and treatment. Designed primarily for
allied health majors. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL& 211 with a grade of
"C" or better or instructor's signature.