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Course Descriptions

Biology - BIO

General Course Information

General Information

Unless stated otherwise, all courses are non-repeatable except under certain conditions.

Open Enrollment

It is the policy of West Hills College Lemoore, unless specifically exempted by statute, that every course section or class, the average daily attendance of which is to be reported for state aid, wherever offered and maintained by the District, shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the College and who meets such prerequisites as may be established pursuant to Chapter 11, Division 2, Part VI, Title 5 of the California Administrative Code, commencing with Section 41820.

Unit or Credit Value

Each course carries a certain credit or unit value. The amount is indicated in parentheses at the right of the title. A lecture class requires the equivalent of one academic hour, (50 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred. Laboratory classes require three academic hours, (150 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred.

Prerequisite

Prerequisites are prescribed courses covering skills and/or knowledge that are normally expected to be acquired prior to enrolling in another course. The intent of prerequisites is to ensure that any student enrolling in a course in which specific information is required will have the necessary background so that every opportunity exists to experience success. Therefore, any course with a prerequisite presumes that subject matter will be acquired in a sequential way.

Students enrolling in courses without the appropriate prerequisite may find that they are ill-prepared to continue their studies in that course. Prerequisites are designed to enhance success. Please refer to the West Hills College Lemoore prerequisite policy in the Academic Regulations portion of this catalog for additional information.

Corequisite

Corequisites are courses that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. (Successful completion is defined as a grade C or better for the minimum prerequisite/corequisite requirement.)

Class Hours

The total number of class lecture and laboratory hours for each course is indicated in its course description. The schedule of classes, which is available at the time of class registration, will indicate which dates, days and times a given class is scheduled to meet.

Course Subject

Courses are classified by subjects as they exist at West Hills College Lemoore. All courses within an area usually count towards a major in that area. Other institutions may classify their courses differently. Transfer students should consult the catalog of the four-year college to which they intend to transfer for its classification of identical or comparable courses.

Course Numbering

Courses numbered 001-049 are baccalaureate level (transfer) courses. These courses are transferable to four-year institutions. However, the institution that the student transfers to determines the specific transferability of courses.

Courses numbered 050-99 are associate degree level courses. These courses are primarily for the student who does not plan to continue his/her education beyond the community college level; however, occupational education courses may transfer according to articulation agreements. Complete information on articulation is available through the Counseling Center.

Courses numbered 100-199 are non-transfer and are non-degree applicable; they are skill building or remedial courses.

Courses in some subject areas that are traditionally taught as combination lecture- laboratory courses at four-year colleges are split into two separate courses:  one a lecture course for transfer students and one a laboratory course for both transfer and non-transfer students. Students wishing to transfer must take both the lecture and laboratory courses.

  • NOTE:  In case of transfer and non-transfer courses taught concurrently, a student may receive credit only for the course in which he/she is enrolled, not both. A student cannot change from one course to the other except according to regular drop/add procedures. He/She should be guided by the course description and may need to consult a counselor or advisor for aid.
Abbreviations for Degree, Non-Degree and Transfer Courses

The following abbreviations designate degree applicable, transfer and non-degree applicable courses:

(AA/AS) Associate Degree Applicable

(CSU) Transferable to California State University System

(UC) Transferable to University of California System

(NDA) Non-Degree Applicable

*Search courses by keyword or by subject
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  • BIO-001A
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Credit(s) 4

Cell and Molecular Biology
BIO 001A is intended for majors, will cover principles and applications of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function, biological molecules, homeostasis, cell reproduction and its controls, molecular genetics, classical/Mendelian genetics, cell metabolism including photosynthesis and respiration, and cellular communication. The philosophy of science, methods of scientific inquiry and experimental design are foundational to the course.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
CHEM 001A
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
BIOL 190
  • BIO-001B
  • Organismal Biology
  • Credit(s) 4

Organismal Biology
BIO 001B is intended for biology majors as a survey of the basic biology and diversity of unicellular and multicellular organisms. It emphasizes general biological principles, classification, structure, function and evolutionary adaptations of organisms (including plants, fungi,animals, and unicellular organisms) to their environments.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
MATH 063
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
BIOL 140
  • BIO-010
  • Fundamentals of Biology
  • Credit(s) 3

Fundamentals of Biology
BIO 010 is recommended for the non-science major. The primary objective of this course is to teach basic biological concepts as they relate to the cell and the organism as a whole. Consideration will be given to the cellular and chemical basis of life, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Not open for credit to students who have earned credit in BIO 015 or equivalent.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • BIO-011
  • Biology of Death Valley
  • Credit(s) 1

Biology of Death Valley
BIO 011 is a one-unit Biology field course with a focus on the Trans-Sierra region, specifically the Mojave Desert and Death Valley. Students will observe and analyze the biological, physical, and cultural patterns and process including landforms, weather, geology, fauna and flora, and history of the regions.

Class Hours:
2 Lecture | 46 Laboratory
Transfers to:
CSU
  • BIO-015
  • Biology for Education
  • Credit(s) 3

Biology for Education
BIO 015 is required for Liberal Studies students seeking a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and transferring to the California State University system. The primary objective of this course is to teach biological concepts as they relate to he cell and the organism as a whole. Consideration will be given to the cellular and chemical basis of life, genetics, evolution, and ecology.

Class Hours:
36 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • BIO-032
  • Human Anatomy
  • Credit(s) 4

Human Anatomy
BIO 032 explores the structural organization of the human body: gross and microscopic structure of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems, from cellular to organ system levels of organization. This course is primarily intended for nursing, allied health, kinesiology, and other health related majors.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A and MATH 063 OR 064
Take MATH-063(1863) MATH-064(2017) MATH-015(1857) MATH-025(2812) MATH-045(1860) MATH-010A(2752) MATH-001A(1852) MATH-001B(1853) MATH-002A(2810) MATH-002B(2811) MATH-065 or EQ-MATH063; Minimum grade C,P,CR.:
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
BIOL 110B
  • BIO-035
  • Human Physiology
  • Credit(s) 4

Human Physiology
BIO 035 is the study of physiological principles, function, integration and homeostasis of the human body at the cellular, tissue, organ, organ system and organism level: integumentary system, bone, skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles, nervous system, sensory organs, cardiovascular system, lymphatic and immune systems, respiratory system, urinary system, digestive system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. This course is primarily intended for Nursing, Allied Health, Kinesiology, and other health related majors.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Prerequisites(s):
ENG 051A and MATH 063 or 064
Take MATH-063(1863) MATH-064(2017) MATH-015(1857) MATH-025(2812) MATH-045(1860) MATH-001A(1852) MATH-001B(1853) MATH-002A(2810) MATH-002B(2811) MATH-065 or EQ-MATH063; Minimum grade C,P,CR.:
Advisory(s):
BIO 032, and CHEM 001A, or CHEM 002A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • BIO-035L
  • General Human Physiology Lab
  • Credit(s) 1

General Human Physiology Lab
BIO 035L is a lab component to BIO35 designed to accommodate students requiring a face-to-face instructional modality for human physiology laboratory. Students will receive a letter grade but no course credit if they have completed or are currently enrolled in Biology 035.

Class Hours:
54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
BIO 035 or concurrent enrollment in BIO 035 (Required, Previous or concurrent).
P/NP
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
  • BIO-038
  • Microbiology
  • Credit(s) 4

Microbiology
BIO 038 is a consideration of the morphology, anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy of micro-organisms with an emphasis on the methods of isolation, identification, and the diseases they cause.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture | 54 Laboratory
Prerequisite(s):
CHEM 001A or CHEM 002A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU