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
Students who would like to explore biological research for the first time will experience basic research techniques using the scientific method. During this course, the essential elements of research will be stressed, such as literature review, writing a research proposal and conducting an experiment. Undergraduate research helps students develop valuable skills, and provides an opportunity to apply scientific knowledge in the context of "real world" problems.
Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 100, BIOL 107, or BIOL 201) and (CHEM 100 or CHEM 201, Minimum grade C)
Recommended Preparation: MATH 90 or higher
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Students who would like to further explore biological research will use various research techniques following the scientific method. During this course, many essential elements of research will be stressed, such as literature review, writing a research proposal and conducting an experiment. Undergraduate research helps students develop valuable skills, and provides an opportunity to apply scientific knowledge in the context of "real world" problems.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 100, BIOL 107, or BIOL 201, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Construction of basic experimental designs based upon literature and data analyses. Students develop and participate in experimental designs of selected research projects including measurements, statistical analyses, and interpretation of data. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of laboratory skills. CSU
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 100, BIOL 107, or BIOL 201, Minimum grade C
Recommended Preparation: MATH 90 or higher
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Principles and methods of expository writing. Analytical reading of source materials and writing of expository essays. Honors seminar will require more advanced resources and more complex assignments than ENGL 101.0. CSU,UC
Lecture Hours: 72.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course is designed to develop the students' critical thinking, reading and writing skills beyond the level achieved in ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H. It will focus primarily on the analysis and evaluation of expository and argumentative essays. Honors seminar will deepen students' insights. C-ID: ENGL 105(ENGL 115). CSU,UC
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
American civilization, encompassing the Pre-Columbian American experience through the Civil War era. 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, emphasis on research, and exploring historiographical frameworks used in interpreting history. (UC credit limitation). CSU/UC
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
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. Particular attention will be focused on the varying viewpoints and interpretations of the important historic questions. (UC credit limitation). CSU,UC
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course focuses on the exploration of major health issues and behaviors in the various dimensions of health. Emphasis is placed on individual responsibility for personal health and the promotion of informed, positive health behaviors. Topics include but are not limited to nutrition, exercise, weight control, mental health, stress management, violence, substance abuse, reproductive health, disease prevention, aging, healthcare, and environmental hazards, and safety. CSU
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This first semester honors independent study course is intended to be an in-depth study of advanced topics. The study will not duplicate existing curriculum; rather, it will be of an advanced nature. CSU
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This second semester honors independent study course is intended to be an in-depth study of advanced topics. The study will not duplicate existing curriculum; rather, it will be of an advanced nature. CSU
Prerequisite(s): MATH 129AH, Minimum grade C
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This third semester honors independent study course is intended to be an in-depth study of advanced topics. The study will not duplicate existing curriculum; rather, it will be of an advanced nature. CSU
Prerequisite(s): MATH 129BH, Minimum grade C
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
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; 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. The student will also learn to read and write simple proofs. UC credit limitation. C-ID: MATH 210. CSU/UC
Prerequisite(s): (MATH 104) and (MATH 105 or MATH 105H, Minimum grade C)
Lecture Hours: 72.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
The second course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable: integration; techniques of integration; infinite sequences and series; polar and parametric equations; applications of integration. In addition, the honors component will include reading proofs, writing complete proofs from sketches of proofs and applying techniques learned to real-life problems.) UC credit limitation). C-ID: MATH 220. CSU/UC
Prerequisite(s): MATH 226 or MATH 226H
Lecture Hours: 72.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Vectors and the geometry of space, vector-valued functions, the calculus of function 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 and applying techniques learned to real-life problems. (UC credit limitation). CSU/UC
Prerequisite(s): MATH 227 or MATH 227H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 90.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU