Biology Honors Program
This degree requires a research thesis in an area of Biology. The program is designed to provide superior undergraduate students with opportunities to carry out original research in preparation for graduate school, professional training, or a position in an industrial or government research laboratory.
Admission
Students with an overall grade point average of 3.2, plus a grade point average of 3.4 or above in Biology and supporting science courses (Chemistry, Math and Physics) are eligible for acceptance into the program.
Applications are to be made to the Honors Thesis Program Committee during the student’s junior year.
Depending on the area of research interest, students are assigned a thesis committee consisting of a research adviser and one additional faculty member.
Requirements
- A maximum of four Honors units can be counted as upper division course credit.
- Each project must be evaluated by the Thesis Committee before submission to the chair for final approval.
- Honors students are required to present a departmental seminar on their research.
Successful completion of the Biology Honors Program is recorded on the student’s transcript.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL
BIOL 105 - General Biology I 4 units
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I
and CHEM 112 - Laboratory 4 units
Core: Rhetoric and Composition 4 units
Core: Public Speaking or Freshman Seminar 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
SPRING
BIOL 106 - General Biology II 4 units
CHEM 113 - General Chemistry II
and CHEM 114 - Laboratory 4 units
Core: Rhetoric & Composition 4 units
Core 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL
BIOL 212 - Cell Physiology 4 units
CHEM 230 - Organic Chemistry I 3 units
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Lab I 1 unit
Core: MATH 102 - Biostatistics 4 units
Core or Language Requirement 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
SPRING
BIOL 310 - Genetics 4 units
CHEM 231 - Organic Chemistry II
or CHEM 236 - Fundamentals of Organic Chem 4 units
Core or Language Requirement 4 units
Core 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL
Core or Language Requirement 4 units
PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics I 4 units
Upper-division Biology 4 units
Elective 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
SPRING
PHYS 101 - Introductory Physics II 4 units
Upper-Division Biology 4 units
Core or Language Requirement 4 units
Elective 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
SENIOR YEAR
Fall
Upper-Division Biology 4 units
Upper-Division Biology 4 units
Core 4 units
Elective 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
Spring
BIOL 414 - Evolution 4 units
Upper-Division Biology 4 units
Elective 4 units
Total Semester 16 units
