The curriculum includes a two-semester introductory biology sequence, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, and genetics. Required courses in the physical sciences include a minimum of one year in introductory chemistry and in physics (with labs), and at least one course in organic chemistry (with lab), and one in biochemistry. A calculus course and a statistics course are also required. In addition, students choose a selected field of 12 credits in one of the following: anatomy/physiology, aquatic biology, behavioral biology, cellular/molecular and genetic biology, ecology, evolution/genetics, and systematics, microbiology, or integrative organismal biology. There is an additional requirement of one course in two other fields, which assures a broad base of study.
Effective Fall 2020
To be qualified for graduation, students in the Biological Science major must have a minimum grade of C- in each of their biological, physical science, and mathematical courses used to meet requirements for the major. This applies to courses taken as substitutions for meeting these requirements. The minimum scholastic average acceptable for graduation is 2.000 computed only for courses attempted at CSU.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AUCC | Credits | ||
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3A | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) | 3A | 1 |
| CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
| Select one group from the following: | 8 | ||
Group A: | |||
| Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Animal Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
Group B: | |||
| Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Select one from the following: | 4 | ||
| Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1) | 1B | ||
| Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) | 1B | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | ||
| Total Credits | 29 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| BZ 220 | Introduction to Evolution | 3 | |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 | |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Lab II | 1 | |
| Select one group from the following: | 3-5 | ||
Group A: | |||
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | |||
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | |||
Group B: | |||
| Modern Organic Chemistry I | |||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | |||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | |||
| Selected Field (see Selected Field lists below) | 6 | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
| Diversity and Global Awareness | 3E | 3 | |
| Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 31-33 | ||
| Junior | |||
| BZ 350 | Molecular and General Genetics | 4A,4B | 4 |
| Select one group from the following: | 4-6 | ||
| Group A: | |||
| Principles of Biochemistry | |||
| Group B: | |||
| Comprehensive Biochemistry I | |||
| Comprehensive Biochemistry II | |||
| Students should take the following two courses only if CHEM 341 was selected in the sophomore year: | 0-5 | ||
| Modern Organic Chemistry II | |||
| Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory | |||
| Select one group from the following: | 10 | ||
Group A: | |||
| General Physics I (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| General Physics II (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
Group B: | |||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Selected Field (see Selected Field lists below) | 3 | ||
| Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
| Elective | 0-5 | ||
| Total Credits | 29-31 | ||
| Senior | |||
| BZ 310 | Cell Biology | 4 | |
| BZ 311 | Developmental Biology | 4 | |
| LIFE 320 | Ecology | 4C | 3 |
| Selected Field (see Selected Field lists below) | 3 | ||
| Additional fields1 | 6 | ||
| Electives2 | 7-11 | ||
| Total Credits | 27-31 | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 120 | ||
Twelve credits must be taken from one Selected Field list below. Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
Pre-Health Biology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Human Physiology | ||
| Fundamentals of Physiology | ||
| Selected Courses: | 8 | |
| Select enough credits from the following courses to complete the 12-credit field requirement: | ||
| Animal Reproduction | ||
| Pre-Health Genetics | ||
| Human Gross Anatomy | ||
| Laboratory in Principles of Physiology | ||
| Domestic Animal Gross Anatomy | ||
| Anatomy for the Health Professions | ||
| Virtual Laboratory in Physiology | ||
| Cellular Neurobiology | ||
| Functional Neuroanatomy | ||
| Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Case Studies | ||
| Nerve and Muscle-Toxins, Trauma and Disease | ||
| Human and Animal Reproductive Biology | ||
| Cardiopulmonary Physiology | ||
| Perspectives in Cardiopulmonary Diseases | ||
| Introduction to Systems Neurobiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Pharmacology | ||
| Essentials of Pathophysiology | ||
| Pathophysiology Perspectives | ||
| Animal Biology-Invertebrates | ||
| Animal Biology-Vertebrates | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Population and Evolutionary Genetics | ||
| Bioinformatics and Genomics | ||
| Comparative Animal Physiology | ||
| Ecology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Human Heredity and Birth Defects | ||
| Genome Evolution | ||
| Parasitology and Vector Biology | ||
| Biological Basis of Animal Behavior | ||
| Genetics of Model Organisms | ||
| Biology and Behavior of Dogs | ||
| Cognitive Ecology | ||
| Physiological Ecology of Marine Vertebrates | ||
| Computer Analysis in Population Genetics | ||
| Genetics of Natural Populations | ||
| Principles of Epidemiology | ||
| Introduction to Radiation Biology | ||
| Human Nutrition | ||
| Biology and Diversity of Fishes | ||
| Ichthyology Laboratory | ||
| Fish Physiology | ||
| Physiology of Exercise | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology--Honors Recitation | ||
| Pathology of Human and Animal Disease | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Immunology Laboratory | ||
| Medical Bacteriology | ||
| Medical Bacteriology Laboratory | ||
| Medical and Molecular Virology | ||
| Biological Psychology | ||
| Histology | ||
| Domestic Animal Anatomy | ||
Aquatic Biology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Aquatic Insects | ||
| Introductory Phycology | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Stream Biology and Ecology | ||
| Stream Biology and Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Physiological Ecology of Marine Vertebrates | ||
| Biology and Diversity of Fishes | ||
| Ichthyology Laboratory | ||
| Conservation of Fish in Aquatic Ecosystems | ||
| Fish Physiology | ||
| Coastal Environmental Ecology | ||
Behavioral Biology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| BMS 325 | Cellular Neurobiology | 3 |
| BZ 300 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
| Selected Courses: | ||
| Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Animal Behavior and Conservation | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Biological Basis of Animal Behavior | ||
| Biology and Behavior of Dogs | ||
| Cognitive Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Learning and Memory | ||
| Biological Psychology | ||
Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Biology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Principles of Animal Breeding | ||
| Pre-Health Genetics | ||
| Comprehensive Biochemistry I | ||
| Comprehensive Biochemistry II | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Cellular Neurobiology | ||
| Microscopic Anatomy | ||
| Nerve and Muscle-Toxins, Trauma and Disease | ||
| Developmental Plant Anatomy | ||
| Population and Evolutionary Genetics | ||
| Bioinformatics and Genomics | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Molecular Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Human Heredity and Birth Defects | ||
| Genome Evolution | ||
| Genetics of Model Organisms | ||
| Molecular Aspects of Plant Development | ||
| Computer Analysis in Population Genetics | ||
| Genetics of Natural Populations | ||
| Plant Breeding | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Immunology Laboratory | ||
| Microbial Genetics | ||
| Histology | ||
Ecology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: | 2-4 | |
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| Applied and General Entomology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Introductory Phycology | ||
| Introductory Mycology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Comparative Morphology of Vascular Plants | ||
| Biology and Diversity of Fishes | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Group B: | 8-10 | |
| Select enough credits from the following to fulfill the 12-credit field requirement: | ||
| Primates | ||
| Population and Evolutionary Genetics | ||
| Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Tropical Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Ecology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Molecular Ecology | ||
| Animal Behavior and Conservation | ||
| Study Abroad: Ecology/Conservation–Ecuadorian Biodiversity | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Biological Basis of Animal Behavior | ||
| Stream Biology and Ecology | ||
| Stream Biology and Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Cognitive Ecology | ||
| Zoophysiological Ecology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Landscape Ecology | ||
| Phytoremediation | ||
| Principles of Epidemiology | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Conservation of Fish in Aquatic Ecosystems | ||
| Microbial Ecology | ||
| Microbial Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Coastal Environmental Ecology | ||
| Wildland Plants and Plant Communities | ||
| Wildland Ecosystems in a Changing World | ||
| Ecological Restoration | ||
Evolution, Genetics and Systematics Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | 3 | |
| Population and Evolutionary Genetics | ||
| Selected Courses: | ||
| Select enough credits from the following courses to complete the 12-credit field requirement: | 9 | |
| Human Evolution | ||
| Human Biological Variation | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Applied and General Entomology | ||
| Entomology Laboratory: General | ||
| Evolution and Classification of Insects | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Introductory Phycology | ||
| Introductory Mycology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Comparative Morphology of Vascular Plants | ||
| Theory of Population and Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Tropical Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Bioinformatics and Genomics | ||
| Ecology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Principles of Systematic Zoology | ||
| Molecular Ecology | ||
| Animal Behavior and Conservation | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Study Abroad: Ecology/Conservation–Ecuadorian Biodiversity | ||
| Human Heredity and Birth Defects | ||
| Genome Evolution | ||
| Parasitology and Vector Biology | ||
| Genetics of Model Organisms | ||
| Advanced Systematics | ||
| Ecological Plant Morphology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Computer Analysis in Population Genetics | ||
| Genetics of Natural Populations | ||
| Principles of Epidemiology | ||
| Biology and Diversity of Fishes | ||
| Ichthyology Laboratory | ||
| Paleontology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology--Honors Recitation | ||
| Microbial Genetics | ||
Integrative Organismal Biology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 12 credits total, to include at least one course from each of the following lists: | 12 | |
| List A: Botany | ||
| Plant Identification | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Developmental Plant Anatomy | ||
| Introductory Phycology | ||
| Introductory Mycology | ||
| Comparative Morphology of Vascular Plants | ||
| Bioinformatics and Genomics | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Genetics of Model Organisms | ||
| Landscape Ecology | ||
| Molecular Aspects of Plant Development | ||
| Phytoremediation | ||
| List B: Zoology | ||
| Paleontology Field School | ||
| Applied and General Entomology | ||
| Entomology Laboratory: General | ||
| Animal Biology-Invertebrates | ||
| Animal Biology-Vertebrates | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Tropical Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Ecology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Principles of Systematic Zoology | ||
| Animal Behavior and Conservation | ||
| Study Abroad: Ecology/Conservation–Ecuadorian Biodiversity | ||
| Parasitology and Vector Biology | ||
| Biological Basis of Animal Behavior | ||
| Stream Biology and Ecology | ||
| Stream Biology and Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Biology and Behavior of Dogs | ||
| Cognitive Ecology | ||
| Physiological Ecology of Marine Vertebrates | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Biology and Diversity of Fishes | ||
| Ichthyology Laboratory | ||
| Conservation of Fish in Aquatic Ecosystems | ||
| Paleontology | ||
Microbiology Field Department List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following: | ||
| Elements of Plant Pathology | ||
| Introductory Phycology | ||
| Introductory Mycology | ||
| Ecology of Infectious Diseases | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Parasitology and Vector Biology | ||
| Topics in Mycology | ||
| Computer Analysis in Population Genetics | ||
| Genetics of Natural Populations | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology--Honors Recitation | ||
| Pathology of Human and Animal Disease | ||
| Food Microbiology | ||
| Food Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Immunology Laboratory | ||
MIP 350 | ||
| Medical Bacteriology | ||
| Medical Bacteriology Laboratory | ||
| Medical and Molecular Virology | ||
| Virology and Cell Culture Laboratory | ||
| Microbial Ecology | ||
| Microbial Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Microbial Physiology | ||
| Microbial Genetics | ||
| Soil Microbiology | ||
| Soil Microbiology Laboratory | ||
Self-Designed Field
A student may, with the approval of their advisor and the Biology Curriculum Committee, define their own individual selected field. Students wishing to pursue this option should consult with their advisor to develop a proposal for a self-designed field. The proposal should include a description of the field of interest, the student's reason or rationale for wishing to pursue a self-designed field, and a list of relevant classes (totaling 12 credits) to be completed. To be included, courses should be upper-division classes that are primarily biological in content. Once approved by the advisor, a student's request for a self-designed field must be submitted to the Biology Curriculum Committee for approval. The Curriculum Committee's approval should be obtained before the end of the sophomore year.
| 1 | A minimum of one course must be selected from two additional fields (cannot use courses that were used to fulfill selected field). Courses in additional fields must be at least three credits. |
| 2 | Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). |
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER: The curriculum for the Biological Sciences major ‐Biological Sciences concentration assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre‐calculus requirements in the first semester. LIFE 102 requires high school chemistry as a prerequisite; CHEM 111 requires Algebra II as a prerequisite (this prerequisite is met by having Algebra II by test credit, transfer credit, or placement out of MATH 117 and MATH 118 on Math Placement Exam). Earned grade of C or better is required in each of their biological, physical science, and mathematical courses used to meet requirements for the major. Semester 4 may have to be adjusted if the student chooses 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry. The selected and additional field must be a minimum of 18 credits. Do not attempt BZ 310 and BZ 350 before Junior year. Do not take BZ 310 and BZ 350 together.
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
| Select one group from the following: | 4 | ||||
Group A: | |||||
| Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2) | X | 3A | |||
| Animal Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
Group B: | |||||
| Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |||
| Electives | 6 | ||||
| MATH 117, MATH 118 may be necessary for some students to fulfill pre-calculus requirements. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 16 | ||||
| Semester 2 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | X | 3A | 4 | |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | 1 | |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | ||||
| Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | ||||
| Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1) | X | 1B | |||
| Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) | X | 1B | |||
| CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2. | X | ||||
| MATH 124, MATH 125 may be necessary for some students to fulfill pre-calculus requirements. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 13 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| BZ 220 | Introduction to Evolution | 3 | |||
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | X | 3 | ||
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Lab II | X | 1 | ||
| Selected Field (See Department List on Concentration Requirements tab) | 3 | ||||
| Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |||
| Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |||
| MATH 155 or MATH 160 must be completed by the end of Semester 3. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 16 | ||||
| Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| Select one group from the following: | 3-5 | ||||
Group A: | |||||
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | X | ||||
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | |||||
Group B: | |||||
| Modern Organic Chemistry I | X | ||||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||||
| Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | X | ||||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | X | ||||
| Selected Field (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | 3 | ||||
| Diversity and Global Awareness | 3E | 3 | |||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |||
| Total Credits | 15-17 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | ||||
| Principles of Biochemistry | |||||
| Comprehensive Biochemistry I | |||||
| To complete CHEM 341 series option: | 0-5 | ||||
| Modern Organic Chemistry II | |||||
| Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory | |||||
| Select one course from the following: | 5 | ||||
| General Physics I (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Selected Field (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | 3 | ||||
| Electives | 0-5 | ||||
| STAT 301 or STAT 307 must be completed by the end of Semester 5. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 16-17 | ||||
| Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| BZ 350 | Molecular and General Genetics | X | 4A,4B | 4 | |
| To complete BC 401 series option: | 0-3 | ||||
| Comprehensive Biochemistry II | |||||
| Select one course from the following: | 5 | ||||
| General Physics II (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | |||
| Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |||
| Total Credits | 12-15 | ||||
| Senior | |||||
| Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| BZ 310 | Cell Biology | X | 4 | ||
| Selected Field (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | 3 | ||||
| Additional Field (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | 3 | ||||
| Electives | 5 | ||||
| PH 121 or PH 141 must be completed by the end of Semester 7. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 15 | ||||
| Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| BZ 311 | Developmental Biology | X | 4 | ||
| LIFE 320 | Ecology | X | 4C | 3 | |
| Additional Field (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 3 | |||
| Electives | X | 2-6 | |||
| The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 12-16 | ||||
| Program Total Credits: | 120 | ||||