The Biology Department offers courses for transfer students in biology, prerequisite courses for pre-health science students, and general education courses in life sciences. The department faculty and staff are dedicated to providing excellent instruction and academic support to meet the diverse needs of our students.
The following links contain information on NVC Biology courses and recommended course patterns for biology transfer students and pre-heallth science students.
Biology Course Descriptions
Biology Department Course Patterns
Students who wish to transfer to a four-year institution should contact the particular institution to determine their specific requirements. Most NVC Biology courses are UC- and CSU-transferrable, but individual institutions vary in their transfer requirements and articulation agreements with NVC biology courses.
Biology course credits earned at NVC can be applied toward an Associate in Science Degree (AS) in either Natural Science (starting in Spring 2019) or Pre-Health Science (starting in Fall 2018). Descriptions of these degrees can be found here:
AS in Natural Science
AS in Pre-Health Science
For more information on AS degree requirements, refer to the NVC catalog
Full-time Faculty and Staff Bios
Bonnie Moore - Professor of Biology
Professor Moore received her Ph.D. from UC Davis and has been teaching biology at Napa Valley College since 1997. She has taught several college biology courses including non-majors biology, majors biology, reproductive biology, digestive physiology, cellular physiology, human anatomy, and human physiology. Currently, Dr. Moore teaches Human Biology (BIOL 105) and Human Anatomy (BIOL 218). She spends her spare time with her whippets, Comet, Zenith and Pip.
Stephanie Burns - Professor of Biology
Professor Burns received her Ph.D. from U.C. Davis in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her research interests included the effect of diet on the expression of metabolizing enzymes. She has been teaching biology at Napa Valley College since 2005. She has taught several college biology courses including general biology for non-majors, general biology for majors, and human biology. Prior to teaching at NVC she worked for the Peregrine Fund, researching the effects of pesticides on birds of prey. Currently, Dr. Burns teaches General Biology (BIOL 120) and Human Biology (BIOL 105). She is currently the advisor for the pre-med DOC club. Her extracurricular interests include bird watching and dog activities (agility and herding) with her two Belgian malinois dogs, Kona and Max.
Daniel Clemens - Professor of Biology
Professor Clemens received his Ph.D. in Biology from UCLA and has been teaching college biology courses since 1990. His interests are in physiology, functional anatomy, vertebrate evolution, and animal ecology. Prior to joining the NVC faculty in 2005, he taught biology courses at The University of Chicago, Williams College, Dominican University, and Santa Rosa Junior College. He has also worked as a biological consultant focusing on wildlife species and habitats in northern and central California. Dr. Clemens currently teaches Human Physiology (BIOL 219), General Zoology (BIOL 240), and Human Anatomy (BIOL 218).
Alysia Thomas - Professor of Biology
Dr. Thomas received her Ph.D. from UC Davis and has been teaching biology courses at NVC since 2006. She has taught Human Physiology and Human Anatomy, and is currently teaching Microbiology (BIOL 220) and Human Biology (BIOL 105).
Danielle Alexander - Instructional Assistant
Danielle began her career with the Biology department in 1995 as a student worker while attending NVC. Danielle returned to work for the NVC Biology department in 2000 after she graduated from Mills College, where she earned her B.A. in Women's Studies. While working as an Instructional Assistant, she earned her M.A. in History from Sonoma State University in 2007. She now works for the Biology department as their Instructional Assistant and part time as an adjunct instructor in the History department teaching U.S. History (HIST 120 and 121), and U.S. Women's History (HIST 150 and 152). Her experience at NVC as a student, a classified employee, and an adjunct faculty member affords her a unique relationship with the college and its students. It is a unique experience that she values very much!