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Department of
Biological Sciences
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Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences
The degree Bachelor of Arts is designed to provide breadth and background in the natural sciences and to allow sufficient flexibility to accommodate the diverse needs of the general student. Persons preparing for careers in such areas as agriculture, industry, and elementary teaching will find this degree adaptable to their career objective.
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
The degree Bachelor of Science is designed to provide the comprehensive background in the sciences required for students planning to seek a career in secondary teaching or additional training for graduate or professional schools. The degree includes coursework usually required for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or laboratory technology, and for admission to graduate work in the biological sciences. Students planning to seek advanced or professional degrees should consult their department adviser early in their undergraduate program to determine what courses are required for graduate and professional programs.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts
or the Bachelor of Science
- Complete University General Education requirements for the bachelor’s degree (51 units).
- Complete the following prerequisites to the major:
- Required courses in the major field (8 units):
BOTY 1050 Introduction to Botany, 4 units
ZOOL 1050 Introduction to Zoology, 4 units
- Required courses in supporting fields (14 units for the Bachelor of Arts degree; 25-26 units for the Bachelor of Science degree):
- CHEM 1100, 1110 Principles of Chemistry I, II, 10 units
- CHEM 3010, 3012 Organic Chemistry I, Lab, 4 units
- Bachelor of Science Students (11-12 units):
Mathematics (statistics or calculus), 3-4 units
Physics (one-year sequence), 8 units. (A year sequence comparable to PHYS 2100, 2110, or PHYS 2250, 2252, 2260, 2262.)
- Complete the major of not less than 25 upper-division units for the Bachelor of Arts or not less than 29 upper-division units for the Bachelor of Science, including course requirements as specified for the majors. No more than 8 units of CR-graded coursework from courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the major.
- Completion of a minor or concentration is not required.
The Major (34-38 units)
- Animal and Plant Sciences (8 units)
Note: These must be upper-division, 4- or 5-unit courses with laboratories. With the approval of the major adviser, certain lower-division (4 or 5 units, with lab) bacteriology courses taken at other institutions may be used to satisfy the Botany/Microbiology requirement. Under those circumstances, only 4 units of biology electives may then be at the lower-division level.
- Select one course from Entomology or Zoology.
- Select one course from Botany or Microbiology.
- One of the above courses must deal with the diversity of organ-isms. (Acceptable courses are indicated by an asterisk (*) in the course description section of the catalog.)
- Complete BIOL 3310 Cellular and Molecular Biology, 3 units
- Genetics (5-6 units)
- BIOL 3350 Introductory Genetics, 3 units
- Select one course from the following:
BIOL 4820, 4830, 4840, 4850, 4860, or 4870, 2-3 units
- Ecology (4 units)
Select one course from the following:
BIOL 4630 Marine Ecology, 4 units
BIOL 4650 Aquatic Biology, 4 units
BIOL 4680 Ecology, 4 units
BOTY 4600 Plant Ecology, 4 units
- Physiology (4 units)
Select one course from the following:
BOTY 4200 Plant Physiology, 4 units
ZOOL 4230 Animal Physiology, 4 units
ZOOL 4280 Physiology of Human Systems, 4 units - Complete 10 units of electives in the Biological Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree or 14 units of electives in the Biological Sciences for the Bache-lor of Science degree. A maximum of 8 units may be satisfied by courses at the lower-division level with the approval of the major adviser. (BIOL 3000, 3020, 4050, or NSCI 3000 may be used, but no more than 3 units total).
- Completion of a concentration is optional.
Elective Concentrations in the Major
Requirements (16 units minimum, unless specified otherwise)
Students wishing to have a specific concentration may do so by completing all the requirements for a major in Biological Sciences, to include specific concentration requirements listed below. A minimum of 16 upper-division units must be completed within the area of concentration. Additional units within the concentration will be selected with the assistance of the adviser. Units taken to complete a concentration also count where appropriate, within the major. The following concentrations are offered:
- Botany
BOTY 3130 Morphology of Plants, Algae and Fungi, 4 units
BOTY 3700 Flowering Plants, 4 units
BOTY 4200 Plant Physiology, 4 units
Electives:
An additional 4 units selected with assistance of the adviser.
- Ecology and Field Biology (17-18 units)
- Complete the following required courses:
BIOL 4680 Ecology, 4 units
BIOL 4830 Evolution and Population Genetics, 2 units
- Complete one of the following courses:
BIOL 4000 Biogeography, 3 units
BIOL 4300 Conservation Biology, 3 units
BIOL 4700 Ecology and Invasive Species, 3 units
- Complete one of the following courses:
BIOL 4630 Marine Ecology, 4 units
BIOL 4650 Aquatic Biology, 4 units
BIOL 4720 Topics in Rocky Intertidal Biology, 4 units
BIOL 4740 Deep-Sea Biology, 4 units
BOTY 4600 Plant Ecology, 4 units
- Complete one of the following courses:
BOTY 3700 Flowering Plants, 4 units
ENTO 3000 Principles of Entomology, 4 units
ZOOL 3610 General Vertebrate Zoology, 4 units
ZOOL 4420 Invertebrate Zoology I, 4 units
ZOOL 4430 Invertebrate Zoology II, 4 units
ZOOL 4620 Herpetology, 4 units
ZOOL 4630 Ornithology, 4 units
ZOOL 4640 Mammalogy, 4 units
Selected MSCI courses with consent of adviser.
- Entomology
Complete 3 of the following courses:
ENTO 3000 Principles of Entomology, 4 units
ENTO 4330 Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 4 units
ENTO 4800 Agricultural Entomology, 4 units
ZOOL 4440 General Parasitology, 4 units
Electives:
An additional 4 units selected with assistance of the adviser.
- Environmental Sciences
A biological sciences major may complete additional requirements in the sciences and mathematics to qualify for an Environmental Sciences concen-tration, in addition to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences. This program requires study in biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physical sciences, along with an environmental seminar and investigation of an environmentally related problem. Further details are found in the Environmental Sciences Concentration section of this chapter.
- Genetics
- Complete the following required courses:
BIOL 3310 Cellular and Molecular Biology, 3 units
BIOL 3350 Introductory Genetics, 3 units
- Complete one of the following courses:
BIOL 4850 DNA Technology in Forensic Science, 2 units, or
BIOL 4870 Recombinant DNA, 2 units
- Complete one of the following courses and corresponding lab:
CHEM 4400 and 4402 Biochemistry, 4 units, or
MBIO 3010 and 3032 Bacteriology, 5 units
- Complete two additional advanced genetic courses selected from:
BIOL 4820 Medical Genetics, 3 units, or
BIOL 4830 Evolution and Population Genetics, 2 units, or
BIOL 4840 Genetic Biotechnology, 3 units, or
BIOL 4860 Cell Culture and Advanced Biotechnology, 2 units
- Marine Biology
ZOOL 4420 Invertebrate Zoology I, 4 units (or MSCI 3240)
ZOOL 4430 Invertebrate Zoology II, 4 units (or MSCI 3250)
BIOL 4630 Marine Ecology, 4 units (or MSCI 3030)
BOTY 3130 Morphology of Plants, Algae, and Fungi, 4 units
(or MSCI 3310)
One term of residence at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories or another marine station.
- Microbiology
- Complete the following required courses (5 units):
MBIO 3010 Bacteriology, 3 units
MBIO 3032 Bacteriology Laboratory, 2 units
- Select elective courses listed below to complete the concentration:
BIOL 4100 Immunology, 3 units
BIOL 4310 Histological and Cytological Techniques, 4 units
MBIO 4300 Medical Microbiology, 4 units
MBIO 4600 Food Microbiology, 3 units
MBIO 4700 Host-Parasite Interactions, 3 units
MBIO 4950 Selected Topics in Microbiology, 1-4 units
BOTY 3500 Introductory Plant Pathology, 4 units
ENTO 4330 Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 4 units
ZOOL 4440 General Parasitology, 4 units
- Zoology
Select at least one course from each of the following groups:
- ZOOL 3610 General Vertebrate Zoology, 4 units
ZOOL 4620 Herpetology, 4 units
ZOOL 4630 Ornithology, 4 units
ZOOL 4640 Mammalogy, 4 units
- ZOOL 4420 Invertebrate Zoology I, 4 units
ZOOL 4430 Invertebrate Zoology II, 4 units
ENTO 3000 Principles of Entomology, 4 units
- ZOOL 4230 Animal Physiology, 4 units
ZOOL 4280 Physiology of Human Systems, 4 units - An additional 4 units selected with assistance of the adviser.
Clinical Laboratory Science Concentration
The curriculum for the Clinical Laboratory Science concentration includes mandatory classes required for eligibility to take the licensure examination for clinical laboratory scientists offered by the California Department of Health Services. Coursework also prepares students for entry into hospital- based, one-year training programs that are prerequisite to the licensure examination.
- Complete the following required courses:
BIOL 4100 Immunology, 3 units
MBIO 4300 Medical Microbiology, 4 units
ZOOL 4440 General Parasitology, 4 units
BIO 124 Clinical Hematology, 3 units
Note: Bio 124 is available on campus via an intercampus distance education offering through concurrent enrollment with CSU Sacramento.
CHEM 2010 Quantitative Analysis and Basic Instrumental Techniques, 4 units
CHEM 4400 Biochemistry I, 3 units
Minor in Biological Sciences
Requirements (20 units)
- Complete the following lower-division courses (8 units):
BOTY 1050 Introduction to Botany, 4 units
ZOOL 1050 Introduction to Zoology, 4 units (equivalent courses may be substituted with approval of minor adviser)
- Complete a minimum of 12 units of upper-division coursework, as approved by minor adviser.
Liberal Studies Concentration in Biological Sciences
Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.
Preparation for Graduate Work or Professional Degrees
Biological Sciences majors interested in health careers such as dentistry, medicine, clinical laboratory science, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine should see the Pre-Health Professions section of this catalog. The University offers the appropriate preprofessional coursework for these areas and the department has fliers which outline the undergraduate courses recommended for each of these career paths.
Consultation with a faculty adviser familiar with preprofessional requirements is strongly recommended at the beginning of the sophomore year.
Students who intend to seek an advanced degree are encouraged to select a minor in the Physical Sciences or Mathematics. A year sequence in college Physics and a year sequence in Organic Chemistry also should be completed. Students interested in an advanced degree in Biochemistry, Ecology, or Molecular Biology should elect a year sequence in Calculus and a course in Statistics.
Students interested in biological laboratory occupations should complete as many courses as possible that focus on laboratory skills and use of equipment, in addition to the traditional Chemistry and Physiology courses completed as part of the Biological Sciences degree.
The following courses also will prepare the student for lab-based graduate or professional degrees:
BIOL 4310 Histological and Cytological Techniques, 4 units
BIOL 4850 DNA Technology in Forensic Sciences, 2 units
BIOL 4860 Cell Culture and Advanced Biotechnology, 2 units
BIOL 4870 Recombinant DNA, 2 units
CHEM 2010 Quantitative Analysis and Basic Instrumental Techniques, 4 units
CHEM 4400 Biochemistry I, 3 units
MBIO 3010 Bacteriology, 3 units
MBIO 3032 Bacteriology Laboratory, 2 units
Teaching Credentials
Majors in Biological Sciences interested in multiple subject or single subject credentials are referred to the Teacher Education section of the Graduate Catalog for a description of teaching credential programs.
Master of Science in Marine Sciences
Marine Biology Concentration
The Department of Biological Sciences in conjunction with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories offers a Master of Science in Marine Sciences degree in areas of Marine Sciences. Please see the Graduate catalog or contact the Department of Biological Sciences office for further information.
Master of Science in Ecology and Sustainability
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Master of Science in Ecology and Sustainability with concentrations in either Ecological Conservation or Ecological Economics. Please see the Graduate catalog or contact the Department office for further information.
Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling with coursework offered at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco State University, and Oakland Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Please see the Graduate catalog or contact the Department office for further information.
Pre-Health Professional Program
Flora Watson (Biological Sciences), Ph.D., Adviser
Naraghi Hall of Science
Building #35: - See Map
Office: N229 - See Map
Phone: (209) 667-3483
E-mail: Flora@science.csustan.edu
Students planning to attend medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, chiropractic, physical therapy, physician assistant, clinical laboratory science, or podiatry schools are usually not required to complete a prescribed undergraduate major, although most do. In general, students interested in a health profession major in biological sciences or chemistry. There are courses that are required to be completed before applying to the professional schools.
Course Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission to most health professional schools is completion of at least 90 semester units; however, a bachelor’s degree is recommended. In addition, requirements for a specific professional school may differ from one school to another. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students, while preparing for admission, examine the requirements of their prospective professional schools and, with the assistance of their major adviser, design a program of study.
Experience
It is critical for students to have special health-related experience in addition to their coursework. The experience should have direct patient contact or other interpersonal involvement. The professional schools want to know if the applicants have first-hand knowledge of the realities of a career in a health profession. An undergraduate internship in an appropriate health profession setting is a recommended way to achieve this “real world” experience.
In some situations, experience plays a significant role in the admission selection process. Academic credit may be received for such experiences. Research experience may be useful to some students, but it is not a major requirement for admission to some of the health professions. Consult your major adviser and a member of the Pre-health Professions Committee.
Recommended General Education, Core Curriculum,
and Elective Courses
General Education
Commonly required courses include:
Communication — One semester of Public Speaking (for pharmacy schools)
English – One year of English composition and Literature.
(Note: ESL classes do not fulfill the English requirement.)
Psychology – General Psychology
Social Sciences, Humanities, or Foreign Language
(Minimum of 11 semester units)
Core Curriculum
All students who plan to attend a medically related professional school, regardless of major, should take the following core courses:
- ZOOL 1050 Introduction to Zoology, with laboratory, 4 units
BOTY 1050 Introduction to Botany, with laboratory, 4 units
CHEM 1100 Principles of Chemistry I, with laboratory, 5 units
CHEM 1110 Principles of Chemistry II, with laboratory, 5 units
CHEM 3010 Organic Chemistry I, 3 units, and
CHEM 3012 Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 1 unit
CHEM 3020 Organic Chemistry II, with laboratory, 4 units
CHEM 4400 Biochemistry I, 3 units (highly recommended for dental, medical,
and pharmacy schools)
PHYS 2100 Basic Physics I, 5 units, or
PHYS 2250 General Physics I, 4 units, and
PHYS 2252 General Physics I Laboratory, 1 unit
PHYS 2110 Basic Physics II, 5 units, or
PHYS 2260 General Physics II, 4 units, and
PHYS 2262 General Physics Laboratory II, 1 unit
MATH 1600 Statistics, 4 units, and/or
MATH 1410 Calculus I, 4 units
Additional Electives
(to bring the total number of units to at least 90 semester units)
Most professional schools recommend the following courses. Some of these courses may have prerequisites. These courses will also help prepare for professional admissions tests:
- BIO 124 Clinical Hematology, 3 units
Note: BIO 124 is available on campus via a distance education offering with concurrent enrollment from CSU Sacramento.
BIOL 3350 Introductory Genetics, 3 units
BIOL 4100 Immunology, 3 units
CHEM 3020 Organic Chemistry II, 3 units
CHEM 3022 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, 1 unit
CHEM 4400 Biochemistry I, 3 units
MBIO 3010 Bacteriology, 3 units
MBIO 3032 Bacteriology Laboratory, 2 units
MBIO 4300 Medical Microbiology, 4 units
ZOOL 3130 Vertebrate Embryology, 5 units
ZOOL 3150 Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, 5 units
ZOOL 4280 Physiology of Human Systems, with laboratory, 4 units
Professional Admission Tests
It is to the student’s advantage to complete the core curriculum and additional electives before taking the professional admissions test, such as MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), DAT (Dental Admission Test), PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test), OAT (Optometry Admission Test), or GRE (Graduate Record Exam for Veterinary School Admission). Application forms, packets, and information are available through the Pre-health Professions Committee. Most professional schools require that all the prerequisite courses be completed by June of the year of intended enrollment.
Pre-health Professions Committee
A Pre-health Professions Committee provides academic advising and assistance to students who are preparing and applying to health professional schools. Questions regarding pre-health profession preparation and application may be directed to the committee via the Department of Biological Sciences at (209) 667-3476.
Learning Objectives
Graduates will demonstrate:
- Biological knowledge: Knowledge of the basic principles of biology and unifying themes, the processes shared by living things, and an appreciation of the diversity of life that exists on earth.
- Lab skills: The ability to use approprate laboratory/field procedures, methods and instrumentation to conduct biological investigations and safety issues associated with each.
- Analytical and quantitative skills: The ability to formulate scientific questions, design experiments to answer these questions, collect, analyze, interpret and report data.
- Computer literacy: This is facilitated through laboratory assignments in introductory chemistry, ecology, physiology, and other courses in the core of the degree.
- Cognitive skills: The ability to think critically, synthesize as opposed to memorize information presented to them and use this information to solve problems.
Students will demonstrate:
- Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing (scientific writing).
- Research skills: The ability to find, evaluate and integrate published information, to use databases and information technology.
- Stewardship advocacy: The understanding and appreciation of the relevance of biology to society, the value of knowledge and the lifelong learning, integrity, and the ability to identify and evaluate ethical issues.
- Teamwork skills: The ability to work cooperatively and solve problems in a group.
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