The honors program offers enriching experiences to improve the quality of education for academically talented students who are striving for advanced academic achievement. Honors courses are more extensive and intensive in terms of research, depth of discussion and material covered. They are designed to promote a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the material and the connectedness of disciplines while preparing students to excel later in advanced degree preparation. They offer additional opportunities for independent and focused study, and more
individualized interdisciplinary, experimental, enhanced and collaborative learning experiences. Students participate in advanced seminars and intensive research and course work. Students should be self-motivated and must have demonstrated superior academic achievement in either high school or college.
Victor Valley College is a member of the Honors Transfer Council of California. This membership can provide students with numerous scholarship and financial aid opportunities, as well as possible transfer advantages to participating universities, such as UCLA, UCR, UCI, Whitman College and many others.
For enrollment criteria or any other information contact the Honors Coordinator at (760) 245-4271, ext. 2691.
HONORS COURSES
BIOL H100 HONORS GENERAL BIOLOGY Units: 4.0 - 48-54 hours lecture and 48-54 hours laboratory. CSU (No prerequisite)
This is an introductory course for honors students emphasizing the scientific method, analysis of scientific data, the use of scientific units, cellular biology, genetics and heredity, classification and systematics, evolution, ecology, environmental issues, and current topics in biology. The laboratory complements the lecture topics via direct experimentation, simulations, and video, including a survey of Earth‘s biological diversity.
Specific topics will be emphasized through the use of reading assignments and the preparation of a short research paper.
CHEM H100 HONORS INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY Units: 6.0 - 64-72 hours lecture and 96-108 hours laboratory. CSU, UC.
A foundation in the fundamental concepts, theories, and methodologies of Introductory Chemistry is highly recommended. Critical thinking and analytical skills will be used to develop problem-solving strategies used in Chemistry. Emphasis will be on the use of
communication and information technologies in the analysis and presentation of experimental data.
HISTORY HONORS
CHEM H206 HONORS INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY II: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Units: 5.0 - 64-72 hours lecture and 96-108 hours laboratory. CSU, UC
Modern organic synthesis, biotech, and pharmaceutical laboratories assess the feasibility of their proposed syntheses using computer generated models of target compounds. Current trends in modern research indicate a growing dependence on computational chemistry.
This program will extend topics covered in CHEM 106 into basic concepts of computational chemistry.
Emphasis will be on molecular modeling techniques, acquisition, processing, and presentation of experimental data.
CHEM H207 HONORS INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY III: BIOCHEMISTRY
Units: 5.0 - 64-72 hours lecture and 96-108 hours laboratory. CSU, UC.
The application of molecular modeling techniques to biological marmomolecules. Computer generate force-fields and molecular graphics will be used to study structural geometry, potential energy surfaces, energy gradients, bond energies, and bond angles.
Confirmation analyses will be performed to gain a practical understanding of the advantages and limitation of molecular modeling.
ENGL H101 HONORS COMPOSITION AND READING Units: 4.0 - 64-72 hours lecture. CSU, UC. (Prerequisite:
Completion of ENGL 50 with a grade of ―C‖ or better.) This course emphasizes the basic approaches to writing that will be necessary in college: research, textual analysis, critical applications and discussion of texts and ideas. The class demands greater depth of research and discussion, and emphasizes the seminar approach to learning.
ENGL H102 HONORS COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU, UC. (Prerequisite:
Completion of ENGL 101.0 with a grade of ―C‖ or better) Further training in writing and introduction to the short story, novel, poetry, and drama. The honors seminar will deepen students‘ insights into literature and into the process of writing about it.
ENGL H104 HONORS CRITICAL THINKING AND COMPOSITION
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU,UC (Prerequisite:
completion of ENGL 101.0 with a grade of ―C‖ or better or eligibility as determined by VVC assessment.)
This course is designed to develop the student‘s critical thinking, reading, and writing skills beyond the level achieved in ENGL 101.0.
HIST H115 HONORS HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU,UC (Prerequisite:
Eligibility for ENGL 101.0/H101. Recommended preparation: HIST 50.)
A comprehensive study of California history, including native culture, the Mission era, the Ranchos, the Mexican War and the US conquest, and the era of US control. Economic, environmental and social issues are identified and discussed.
HIST H117 HONORS HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1876
Units: 3.0 - . 48-54 hours lecture. CSU,UC (UC credit limitation.) (No prerequisite. HIST 50 recommended.) American civilization, primarily focusing on the British colonies and the US, through the Civil War era. Native American, African and European antecedents will form part of the class. Students will analyze the colonial and revolutionary periods, as well as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in the formation of a new nation. The class examines gender and race issues in light of nation building and American culture. Honors classes will take students further into the course material with additional reading, in-class debates and graded roundtable discussion, and a term paper which involved both primary and secondary sources.
HIST H118 HONORS HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1876
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU, UC (UC credit limitation). (No prerequisite. Recommended preparation: ENGL 50 and HIST 50)
A survey of American history since reconstruction after the Civil War with emphasis upon those social, political, and economic factors which most shaped modern America. The honors format will be implemented, including a greater amount of outside reading material and more class time devoted to discussion of that material -- with consequently much less actual treatment of the basic textbook, which honors students will be expected to grasp adequately on their own. Particular attention will be focused on the varying viewpoints and interpretations of the important historic questions.
MATH H105 HONORS COLLEGE ALGEBRA Units: 4.0 - 64-72 hours lecture. CSU, UC (UC credit limitation). (No prerequisite)
A math course for the well-prepared student. Honors MATH 105 will include the study of exponents and radicals, theory of quadratic equations, simultaneous
HONORS
quadratic equations, complex numbers, equations of higher degree, inequalities, logarithmic and exponential equations, binomial theorem, matrices and
determinants, partial fractions, sequences and series.
MATH H120 HONORS INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
Units: 4.0 – 64-72 hours lecture. CSU, UC (Prerequisite:
MATH 90 with a grade of ‗C‘ or better).
Basic statistical techniques, design and analysis for both parametric and non-parametric data are included.
Descriptive statistics are included. Graphing techniques of illustrating the data are covered. Probability is covered. Inferential statistics included are estimation and hypothesis testing, chi-square, analysis of variance, and regression. Applications are drawn from a variety of fields. In addition, the Honors component will include the design of surveys, probability testing, and a research project.
MATH H226 HONORS ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS
Units: 5.0 - 80-90 hours lecture. CSU, UC. (UC Credit Limitation) (Prerequisite: MATH 104 and 105 completed with a grade of ‗C‘ or better.)
As an introduction to the calculus of single variables, students will develop the concept of limit, apply limits to functions to determine if they are continuous, and find the derivative and determine integrals. Students will study the properties of the derivative and integral, their relationship to each other given by the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and some applications to the real world. In addition, the honors component will include reading proofs and writing proofs.
MATH H227 HONORS ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS
Units: 5.0 - 80-90 hours lecture. CSU, UC (Prerequisite:
MATH 226 with a grade of ―C‖ or better.)
The calculus of logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, integration techniques, L‘Hopital‘s Rule, improper integrals, infinite series, conic sections, parametric equations, and polar coordinates.
In addition, the honors component will include reading proofs, writing complete proofs from sketches of proofs and applying techniques learned to real-life problems.
MATH H228 HONORS ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS
Units: 5.0 - 80-90 hours lecture. CSU, UC (Prerequisite:
Enrollment in Honors course requires acceptance into the Honors Program or prior approval from the instructor; MATH 227 with a grade of ―C‖ or better.)
Vectors and the geometry of space, vector-valued functions, the calculus of functions of several variables, multiple integration, Green‘s Theorem, divergence theorem, Stoke‘s Theorem, and applications. In addition, the honors component will include reading proofs, writing complete proofs from sketches of proofs and apply techniques learned to real-life problems.
PHYS H204 HONORS ENGINEERING PHYSICS (LIGHT AND MODERN PHYSICS)
Units: 4.0 - 48-54 hours lecture and 48-54 hours laboratory. CSU, UC (UC credit limitation). (Prerequisite:
PHYS 203)
The nature and propagation of light, reflection and refraction, interference, diffraction, gratings and spectra, polarization, elements of quantum physics, waves and particles.
POLS H102 HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU, UC (UC credit limitation). (No prerequisite)
Examines the workings of our complex system of American government, including national, California state, and local levels (with emphasis on the national level). This survey will focus on the historical and contemporary development of our Constitution, political institutions, citizen participation, politics, and policies.
Critical analysis of classical and contemporary scholarly texts and political oratory will be used extensively to examine the American political experience.
PSYC H101 HONORS INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY
Units: 3.0 - 48-54 hours lecture. CSU, UC (No prerequisite. Recommended preparation: Eligibility for ENGL 101.0.)
This course provides instruction in the nature of human behavior and a consideration of theories and principles pertaining to the topics of research design and experimentation, perception, emotions and motivation, personality, social psychology, psychopathology, human development, learning, cognition and memory. It includes essential features of the biological and neurological basis of behavior.
PSYC H110 HONORS DEVELOPMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Units: 4.0 - 64-72 hours lecture. CSU Offered Fall, Spring, Summer. (No prerequisite. Recommended preparation: Eligibility for ENGL 101.0; satisfactory completion of PSYC 101.)
HONORS
This course includes the theories, methods, and research findings regarding biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development of the individual from conception through adulthood, including death, dying, and bereavement.