WVC鈥檚 Kvamme Planetarium is NOW OPEN | Weekly Shows Scheduled
Immerse yourself in the magnificence of the night sky, where our state-of-the-art visualizations will take you on a voyage beyond the Earth on a new journey. View the weekly schedule and purchase tickets today at westvalley.edu/planetarium.
Why Should One Study Biology?
It is an exciting time to study biology. The last 30 years have brought an enormous insight into the dynamic interactions of the millions of species existing on our planet. The field of cell and molecular biology has explored the intricacy of DNA - the molecule of heredity. The human genome and genomes from numerous other species have been sequenced giving us the possibility of peering into the molecular machinery of the cell in even more detail. The potential changes in the fields of medicine and biology are enormous. An understanding of our own anatomy and physiology combined with an understanding of the recent advances in molecular biology would give you the tools to make decisions in the ever changing field of medicine.
We live in a challenging moment. The human population has now surpassed 8 billion (as of November 2022), with more than five children born every second. With each passing day, our species places increasing pressure on the life forms we share this planet with. Glaciers and polar ice fields are breaking apart, offering undeniable evidence of global warming. Wildlife habitats across continents are disappearing at alarming rates, and even the vast Amazon rainforest is projected to be severely depleted within just a few decades. Life on Earth is under immense strain, and many species are declining rapidly. Through the study of ecology and organismal biology, you can gain an awareness that may reshape how you perceive these challenges. The environmental issues of this century are profound, but they are also a call to action 鈥� one that requires knowledge, hope, and collective energy.
The Biology Department at 69萝莉
To help you navigate through the biological realm our department offers a wide array of courses from cell and molecular biology to ecology. We also offer different types of courses for majors versus non-majors depending on your interests and need. Laboratory experiences, indoors and out, make up an integral part of most of our courses. Throughout the curriculum, the department emphasizes use of knowledge, rather than rote recognition of specific terms and structures. We seek to develop critical thinking and foster an awareness of humans and the dynamic natural world of which we are a part. Our courses meet general education and transfer requirements in natural sciences. In addition, courses can be taken to satisfy requirements for an Associate of Science degree in Biological Science or transfer major requirements in biochemistry, botany, cell biology, forestry, microbiology, zoology, or a variety of pre-medical areas. The biology department is part of the Science and Math Division located in the Science and Math building.
We invite you to come along on an amazing journey to explore the lifeforms on our planet...