Biology, BS

Preparation for Applying to Health Professions Programs

Students majoring in biology and intending to pursue careers in the health care professions may follow the guidelines for a BS degree or a BA degree.  For additional information see a Health Professions Advisor for the Health Professions Advisory Program in this catalog.

Degree Requirements

See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (43 units)

See the “General Education ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

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 - Research Synthesis Paper Unit(s): 1-3
• BIOL 495 - Special Studies Unit(s): 1-4
• BIOL 496A - Thesis Research I Unit(s): 1-2
• BIOL 496B - Thesis Research II Unit(s): 2-3
• BIOL 498 - Biology Practicum Unit(s): 1-4
• BIOL 499 - Internship in Biology Unit(s): 1-4

Major Core Requirements (16 units)

• BIOL 130 - Diversity of Life Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 131 - Genetics, Evolution & Ecology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 232 - Molecular and Cellular Biology Unit(s): 4
• BIOL 321 - Integrative Biology Unit(s): 4

Support Courses (27 units)

• CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
• CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
• CHEM 335A - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
• CHEM 335B - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
• MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4 OR 
  MATH 165 Elementary Applied Statistics
    
• PHYS 210A - General Physics Unit(s): 3
• PHYS 210B - General Physics Unit(s): 3
• PHYS 209A - General Physics Laboratory Unit(s): 1

Upper Division Major Electives (26 units)

Choose 26 units of upper division biology electives in consultation with department advisor.

• ANTH 412 - Human Osteology Unit(s): 4
• ANTH 414 - Observing Primate Behavior Unit(s): 4
• ANTH 301 - Human Fossils and Evolution Unit(s): 4
• ANTH 302 - The Evolution of Males and Females Unit(s): 4
• CHEM 445 - Structural Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
• CHEM 446 - Metabolic Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
• GEP 340 - Applied Ecology Unit(s): 3
• GEP 343 - Biogeography Unit(s): 4
• GEOL 313 - Paleontology Unit(s): 4

Units

Total GE units: 43

Total units in major core: 19 (7 units count for GE)

Total units in major elective: 26

Total units in support courses: 31 (6 units count for GE)

Total University Electives: 18

Total units required for graduation: 120

Concentrations

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

Program Roadmaps

• Biology, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan
    
• Biology, BS, Sample Two-Year Plan
     
• Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS, Sample Two-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Molecular Cell Biology, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Molecular Cell Biology, BS, Sample Two-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Physiology, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Physiology, BS, Sample Transfer Two-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Biomedical Sciences, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan
    
• Biology with a Concentration in Biomedical Sciences, BS, Sample Transfer Two-Year Plan