2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Dec 13, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Biology, Molecular Biology Concentration, Major


This area of concentration within the Biology major is designed to prepare students for positions in academic, clinical or industrial biotechnology laboratories. It also prepares students for graduate study in genetics, molecular biology and other fields of the life sciences.

Program Learning Outcomes


Please see the Biology Major .

Major Requirements (66-69 units)


Students must declare the Molecular Biology Emphasis within two semesters of completing BIOL 310 (with a grade of C or higher).

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, Molecular Biology, 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.

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) 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) 4
Total Semester Units 16

Junior Year


Fall Units
BIOL Upper Division Lab Elective 4
Core - B2: PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics I    4
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Lab I  1
Core (D2) 4
Core (D3) 4
Total Semester Units 17
Spring Units
BIOL 420 - Molecular Biology   4
PHYS 101 - Introductory Physics II   4
Core (E) 4
Core (F) 4
Total Semester Units 16

Senior Year


Fall Units
BIOL Upper Division Lab Elective 4
BIOL Upper Division Lab Elective 4
Core (CD) 4
Core (CEL) 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
BIOL Upper Division 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.