Biological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts College of Biological Sciences
Departments of Evolution & Ecology; Microbiology & Molecular Genetics; Molecular & Cellular Biology; Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior; and Plant Biology
The Program
The Biological Sciences major is broad in concept, spanning the numerous core disciplines of biology. The Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) program includes preparatory work in mathematics, general and organic chemistry, physics, and introductory level biology, as well as upper division core classes emphasizing the breadth of biological sciences. Students in the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) program can pursue upper division coursework outside of the biological sciences. Research and internships are encouraged.
Career Alternatives
The degree program prepares students for admission to graduate schools or professional schools, leading to either a variety of professional health careers or further study in basic and applied areas of biology. They provide suitable preparation for careers in teaching, biological and biotechnological research with various governmental agencies or private companies, government regulatory agencies, environmental consulting, biological illustration and writing, pharmaceutical sales, biological/environmental law, and biomedical engineering.
Faculty Advisor
Lesilee Rose, Ph.D.
Advising
Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) in 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall (formerly Sciences Laboratory Building); 530-752-0410.
Teaching Credential Subject Representative
Associate Director of Teacher Education (School of Education); see the Teaching Credential/M.A. Program.
Bodega Marine Laboratory Program
Students interested in Marine Biology should visit Marine & Coastal Science Major & Bodega Marine Laboratory.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Biological Sciences Bachelor of Arts is 76.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | 15 | |
| Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution and Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Choose the 002 or 004 series: 1 | 10 | |
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering | ||
| Choose the 008 or 118 series: 2 | 6-12 | |
| Organic Chemistry: Brief Course and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Choose the 017 or 021 series: 3 | 8 | |
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
| Calculus and Calculus | ||
| Physics | ||
| Choose the 001 or 007 series: | 6-12 | |
| Principles of Physics and Principles of Physics | ||
| General Physics and General Physics and General Physics | ||
| Recommended | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
or CHE 004C | General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
or MAT 021C | Calculus | |
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 45-57 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | ||
| BIS 101 | Genes & Gene Expression | 4 |
| BIS 105 | Biomolecules & Metabolism | 3-6 |
| or BIS 102 & BIS 103 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules and Bioenergetics & Metabolism | |
| Statistics | ||
| STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | 4 |
| or STA 013 | Elementary Statistics | |
| or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
| Evolution | ||
| EVE 100 | Introduction to Evolution | 4 |
| Ecology | ||
| ESP 100 | General Ecology | 4 |
| or EVE 101 | Introduction to Ecology | |
| Microbiology | ||
| Choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Introductory Microbiology | ||
| General Virology | ||
or MIC 162 DISCONTINUED | ||
MMG 170 | ||
or MIC 170 DISCONTINUED | ||
| Animal Physiology, Behavior or Development | ||
| Choose one: | 3-5 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Systemic Physiology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Cell Signaling in Health & Disease | ||
NPB 141 | (Discontinued) | |
| Plant Physiology or Development: | ||
| Choose one: | 3-5 | |
| Developmental Plant Anatomy | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Plant Growth & Development | ||
| Molecular & Cellular Biology of Plants | ||
| Plant Morphology & Evolution | ||
| Plant Biochemistry | ||
| Laboratory Requirement | ||
| Choose course(s) for a minimum total of six hours/week of laboratory or field work from the list of courses below: | 3-5 | |
| Choose two with three hours lab or field work/week: | ||
| Running, Swimming & Flying | ||
| Paleobotany | ||
| Experimental Ecology & Evolution in the Field | ||
| Experimental Ecology & Evolution in the Field | ||
| Computer Programming for Biologists | ||
| Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| Systemic Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Physiology of Reproduction Laboratory | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Organology | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Population Biology of Invasive Plants & Weeds | ||
Other courses with approval of the faculty advisor. | ||
| Choose one with six hours lab or field work/week; a course may fulfill both the lab and a depth topic requirement: | ||
| Genomics Laboratory | ||
| Phylogenetic Analysis of Vertebrate Structure | ||
| Mechanical Design in Organisms | ||
| Biology of Invertebrates Laboratory | ||
| Experimental Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Microbial Diversity Laboratory | ||
| Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Cell Biology Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Genetics Laboratory | ||
NPB 141P | (Discontinued) | |
PLB/PLS 102 | (Discontinued) | |
| Developmental Plant Anatomy | ||
PLB/EVE 108 | (Discontinued) | |
| Plant Morphology & Evolution | ||
| Introductory Mycology | ||
Other courses with approval of the Faculty Advisor. | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 31-41 | |
| Total Units | 76-98 | |
- 1
With BASC advisor approval, this combination also satisfies the Chemistry requirement: CHE 004A-CHE 002A (3 units w/no lab)-CHE 002B.
- 2
With BASC advisor approval, this combination also satisfies the Organic Chemistry requirement: CHE 118A-CHE 008B.
- 3
With BASC advisor approval, this combination also satisfies the Mathematics requirement: MAT 021A-MAT 017B; MAT 017A-MAT 021B.