Biology 10 - Home / Announcements - Spring 2012

Welcome to Biology 10 - Introduction to Biology (4 units)
Lecture 3 hours; lab 3 hours
Acceptable for credit: University of California, California State University

An introductory course in biology designed for the non-science major. Emphasis is on understanding and applying biological principles to the life we live today. Topics discussed include the scientific method; the structure and function of an ecosystem; cell structure and function; how organisms solve the problems of nutrition, circulation, excretion, heredity, reproduction and adaptation, emphasizing ourselves. Laboratory work includes exercises requiring investigation and examination of living material, as well as required field trips. A passing grade in both lecture and laboratory is required to receive credit for the course. BIOLOGY 10 IS NOT OPEN TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED BIO 11 WITH A GRADE OF C OR BETTER.

Note: The course includes both lecture and a lab - you must be enrolled in both to earn a grade (you have the flexibility to register for any lecture section paired with any lab section that works with your schedule, but you must be enrolled in both).

Things to do to get a head start :

1. Read over the Syllabus (green sheet) before coming to class.
2. Read over the Lab Safety Sheet.
3. Take the Syllabus Quiz (to be turned in during the first or second week of class).
4. Complete a Student Information Sheet (to be turned in during the first or second week of class).
5. Purchase your books (see below) and start reading (see the syllabus for reading assignments)

Note: all of the above documents are available for download from the "Downloads" page of this website.

Student Resources
As a registered student you have a host of resources on campus that are available to you, many free of charge. The following is a partial list (for a complete list please refer to the college catalogue or the student services section of the college web page).

Purchasing Course Books:
Several options are available to you.

West Valley Campus Bookstore: You can Purchase all of the books listed in the greensheet directly from the bookstore located on West Valley campus. The bookstore also provides an online service in case you do not want to go there in person (WVC bookstore). You can reserve the books to pick them up later or make arrangements for home delivery. Note: bookstore profits help fund the campus center - purchasing your books from the campus bookstore will help support the campus center.

Ordering online (new or used): I am aware that book prices are exorbitant. If book prices are out of your budget there may be alternatives to buying new copies. One option to save money is to order books online from discount suppliers. The down side is that it can take several days, or possibly weeks, for your books to arrive depending on the vendor, and you will need the "required books" on the first day of class. Consequently, unless you have ordered your books several weeks in advance, this option may better serve you for the purchase of the "optional books" listed in your syllabus. The following online vendors may prove to be good resources:

Other Local Bookstores: A less commonly successful but useful alternate is to search the local new and used bookstores in the area (including other campus bookstores) for the books you need. I have periodically found useful resource books at a significant discount at used bookstores.