2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Oct 31, 2024  
2024-2025 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:

Degree Planner


First-Year


Fall Units
Core - B2: BIOL 105 - Gen Biology - Molec of Life   4
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I   3
CHEM 112 - Laboratory   1
Core - A2: Rhetoric and Composition - Course 1 4
Core - A1: Public Speaking - OR - Core: First Year Seminar 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL 106 - Gen Biology - Diversity of Life   4
CHEM 113 - General Chemistry II   3
CHEM 114 - Laboratory   1
Core - A2: Rhetoric & Composition - Course 2 4
Core - OR - Core: First Year Seminar (C1) 4
Total Semester Units 16

 

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
BIOL 212 - Cell Physiology   4
Core B1: MATH 102 - Biostatistics   4
Language - Course 1 4
Core - C2: History 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL 310 - Genetics   3
BIOL 311 - Genetics Lab   1
CHEM 236 - Fundamentals of Organic Chem   4
Language - Course 2 4
Core - D1: Philosophy 4
Total Semester Units 16

 

Junior Year


Fall Units
BIOL Upper Division Elective 4
Core - B2: PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics I   4
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Lab I   1
Core - D2: Theology and Religious Studies 4
Core - D3: Ethics  4
Total Semester Units 17
Spring Units
BIOL Upper Division Lab Elective 4
PHYS 101 - Introductory Physics II   4
Core - E: Social Sciences 4
Core - F: Visual and Performing Arts 4
Total Semester Units 16

 

Senior Year


Fall Units
BIOL Upper Division Elective 4
BIOL Upper Division Lab Elective 4
Cultural Diversity (CD) 4
Community - Engaged Learning (CEL) 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL Upper Division Field Elective 4
BIOL 414 - Evolution   4
BIOL 490 - UG Seminar in Biology   1
Elective 4
Elective 4
Total Semester Units 17

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.