Biology, B.S.

Major Core Requirements

• BIOL 130 - Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 131 - Biological Diversity and Ecology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 320 - Ecology and Evolution - An Integrated Approach Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 321 - Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology Unit(s): 4

Major Electives

Choose 24 units of upper division biology electives in consultation with a department advisor.

Support courses

• CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
• CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
• BIOL 335A Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
• CHEM 335B - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
• PHYS 210A - General Physics Unit(s): 3
• PHYS 210B - General Physics Unit(s): 3
• PHYS 209B - General Physics Laboratory Unit(s): 1

•  

• MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4

• AND

• MATH 165 - Elementary Applied Statistics Unit(s): 4

Units

Total units in major core: 23

Total units in major elective: 24

Total units in support courses: 31

Concentrations

• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Concentration   
• Marine Biology Concentration   
• Physiology Concentration   
• Molecular Cell Biology Concentration  

Upper-Division Biology Electives

Major electives are used to meet the total upper-division unit requirement for the B.A. or B.S. Major electives are chosen from the following:

1. Additional upper division courses in a concentration.
2. Any Biology course numbered greater than 321 (except BIOL 398 ). This list is subject to revision following this catalog edition. Students should check with their academic advisor for updates. Seniors may also take graduate courses (500 level) with permission of the instructor.
3. Supervisory courses in biology. These courses are: BIOL 393 , BIOL 494 , BIOL 495 , BIOL 496A , BIOL 496B , BIOL 498 , and BIOL 499  (see Restrictions below for unit limits for these courses).
4. Biology colloquium, BIOL 390 , may be taken twice (2 units total) for major credit.
5. A maximum of 4 units from courses related to biology from other departments, or from Biology non-majors courses numbered 200-319. To apply the units to the major, students are required to obtain written permission from their advisor and Department chair before taking these courses by completing academic requirements report- update forms (available from the department office). Acceptable courses in this category from other departments include:

• ANTH 301 - Human Fossils and Evolution Unit(s): 4
• ANTH 302 - The Evolution of Males and Females Unit(s): 4
• ANTH 318 - Human Development: Sex and the Life Cycle Unit(s): 3
• ANTH 345 - Nature and Society: Topics in Anthropology and the Environment Unit(s): 4
• ANTH 414 - Observing Primate Behavior Unit(s): 4
• CHEM 441 - Biochemical Methods Unit(s): 3
• CHEM 445 - Structural Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
• CHEM 446 - Metabolic Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
• GEP 362 - Environmental Impact Assessment Unit(s): 2-3
• GEP 341 - Conservation Biology Unit(s): 3-4
• GEP 445 - Restoration Ecology Unit(s): 5
• GEOL 313 - Paleontology Unit(s): 4

Restrictions

1. A maximum of 4 units taken in the Cr/NC grading mode may be applied to the major from the following courses: BIOL 390 , BIOL 498 , BIOL 499 . All other courses in the Biology major must be taken in the traditional grading mode (A-F).
2. A maximum of 7 units from the following list of courses may be applied to the major:

• BIOL 390 - Biology Colloquium Unit(s): 1
• BIOL 393 - Independent Study in Biology Unit(s): 1-3
• BIOL 494 - Independent Research Unit(s): 1-3
• BIOL 495 - Special Studies Unit(s): 1-4
• BIOL 496A - Honors Thesis I Unit(s): 1-2
• BIOL 496B - Honors Thesis II Unit(s): 2-3
• BIOL 498 - Biology Practicum Unit(s): 1-4
• BIOL 499 - Internship in Biology Unit(s): 1-4

Preparation for Applying to Health Professions Programs

Students majoring in biology and intending to pursue careers in the health care profession may follow the guidelines for a B.S. degree, or a B.A. degree with the addition of MATH 161 , CHEM 335B  and CHEM 336A , and PHYS 210A /PHYS 210B   and PHYS 209A /PHYS 209B  . They are encouraged to enroll in SCI 150 - Introduction to Careers in Health Professions , during their first fall semester.

For admission to most health profession schools, regardless of major, it is typically recommended that specific upper-division biology courses be incorporated into the B.A. or B.S. degree. These include:

An upper-division biochemistry course (e.g. CHEM 446 ) is often recommended as well.

• BIOL 328 - Vertebrate Evolutionary Morphology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 340 - General Bacteriology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 342 - Molecular Genetics Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 344 - Cell Biology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 349 - Animal Physiology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 472 - Developmental Biology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 480 - Immunology Unit(s): 4

Sample Four-Year Program