Biological Sciences BS

Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.

E-advising Tools

Students are encouraged to use the interactive e-advising tools that have been designed to help them graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center.

Students who pursue the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences choose one of three options. The option in cellular and molecular biology prepares students for professional programs, graduate studies in cellular and molecular biology, or entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry. The option in ecological, evolutionary, and organismal biology prepares students for positions within environmental and resource management or graduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology. The option in plant biology prepares students for positions in habitat restoration, field botany, forestry or range management, agricultural biotechnology, or graduate studies in plant biology.

Student Learning Outcomes

All candidates for the BS in biological sciences will demonstrate mastery in the following Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students can describe the structure and function of cellular components and explain how they interact in a living cell.
• Students can demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms driving evolution and can describe similarities and differences of the major taxonomic groups.
• Students can describe how cells interact to develop tissues and organs and how these contribute to a functional organism.
• Students can describe how organisms interact with one another and to their environment and are able to explain interactions at the population and community levels.
• Students demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to use, the processes and methods of scientific inquiry.
• Students can formally communicate the results of biological investigations using both oral and written communication skills.

Grading Requirement

All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.

Course Requirements for the Major: 78 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.

MATH 105 and MATH 130 are recommended for most students. Students who need calculus may take MATH 109 or MATH 120 .

Biological sciences majors are expected to have completed BIOL 109 , BIOL 161 , BIOL 162 , BIOL 163 , CHEM 111 , and CHEM 112 before beginning their upper-division requirements.

Major Option Course Requirements

Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.

The Option in Cellular and Molecular Biology: 31 units

A maximum of three units of BIOL 399 or BIOL 489 or combination of BIOL 399 and BIOL 489 may be credited toward the major.

Undergraduate students need permission to enroll in 600-level courses. Please see the Department of Biological Sciences to obtain permission.