Biology Major

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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)

Required Courses (21 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.

Field Courses (4 units)

Complete 4 units from the following:

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 I: General Chemistry

Complete the following:

Area II: Mathematics

Complete one of the following:

Area III: Physics

Complete one of the following options:

Option I -Introductory Physics I & II

Option II - General Physics I & II

Area IV: Organic Chemistry

Choose one of the following options:

Option I - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

Option II - Organic Chemistry

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.