2023-2024 Catalog 
    
    Dec 04, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology Major


The program is designed to prepare students for a broad spectrum of careers in the life sciences, including completion of all requirements for admission to professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, pharmacy and veterinary schools) and graduate programs.

Program Learning Outcomes


The major in Biology prepares students to:

  • Analyze scientific questions using both in-depth and broad knowledge of concepts that comprise the biological sciences
  • Implement the scientific process by designing and conducting experiments, testing hypotheses, analyzing and evaluating results, and communicating conclusions
  • Use laboratory, field, and analytical techniques to address complex questions in the life sciences
  • Evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information from the primary scientific literature
  • Apply principles of social awareness and responsibility to scientific investigations in the life sciences 

Major Requirements (66-69 units)


Note:


*All students in the Biology major must earn a minimum grade of C in the core Biology courses required for the Major (General Biology I and II, Cell Physiology, Genetics, Evolution, and the undergraduate Seminar) to meet graduation requirements. Courses required for the Biology major (including Chemistry, Physics and Math classes) can be repeated no more than once to earn the minimum grade required in the course. If the minimum grade is not achieved in the second time completing the course, the student will be disqualified from the Biology major.

Additional Field/Lab Electives (8 units)


Complete 8 units from the following:

Upper Division Electives (8 units)


Complete 8 units in BIOL 312-599 and select courses from other programs listed below.

*A maximum of 4 units can come from BIOL 398  / BIOL 498  

Supporting Courses (25 - 28 units)


Area II: Mathematics


Complete one of the following:

Area III: Physics


Complete one of the following options:

Area IV: Organic Chemistry


Choose one of the following options:

Curriculum Sample:


Freshman Year


Fall Units
BIOL 105 - General Biology I   4
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I  & CHEM 112 - Laboratory   4
Core: Rhetoric and Composition 4
Core: Public Speaking or Freshman Seminar 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL 106 - General Biology II   4
CHEM 113 - General Chemistry II  & CHEM 114 - Laboratory   4
Core: Rhetoric & Composition 4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16

 

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
BIOL 212 - Cell Physiology   4
CHEM 230 - Organic Chemistry I    3
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Lab I   1
Core: MATH 102 - Biostatistics   4
Core or Language Requirement 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL 310 - Genetics   4
CHEM 231 - Organic Chemistry II  or CHEM 236 - Fundamentals of Organic Chem   4
Core or Language Requirement 4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16

 

Junior Year


Fall Units
Core or Language Requirement 4
PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics I   4
Upper-division Biology 4
Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
PHYS 101 - Introductory Physics II   4
Upper-Division Biology 4
Core or Language Requirement 4
Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

 

Senior Year


Fall Units
Upper-Division Biology 4
Upper-Division Biology 4
Core 4
Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL 414 - Evolution   4
Upper-Division Biology 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16