Bachelor of Science in Biological Science
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Science provides students with broad exposure to fundamental biological principles and depth of knowledge in one of five concentrations chosen by the student. The program provides opportunities for faculty-mentored undergraduate research and is committed to integrating teaching and research. The curriculum provides preparation for: entry to health professions schools and graduate school in the life sciences; laboratory and field research, secondary school teaching, and jobs in conservation and environmental biology with government and private agencies; careers in research and pharmaceutical product sales, and biotechnology industry.
In addition to the requirements for the major, students must meet all other university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Please consult the Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree section in this catalog for complete information. All courses in the major must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better.
Core Requirements for the Major (19 units)
Supporting Course Requirements for the Major (34 units)
Plant Biology Concentration (21 units)
The Plant Biology concentration includes studying plant diversity, plant cell biology, developmental plant biology, plant ecology, plant evolution, plant genetics, molecular plant biology, organismal plant biology, phycology, plant physiology, plant animal interactions, plant-microbe interactions and plant pathology.
Students with junior or senior standing will be permitted to enroll in BIOL 480 , BIOL 482 , BIOL 498 and BIOL 499L . However, no more than a combined total of six units of BIOL 480 (3 units maximum), BIOL 482 (2 units maximum), BIOL 498 (3 units maximum) and BIOL 499L (6 units maximum) shall be counted toward requirments for the concentration, and no more than three of these units may count toward the upper-division biology laboratory/field requirements.
Free Upper-Division Biology Electives
Although it is recommended that Plant Biology majors select additional units from the courses listed under concentration requirements, any upper-division biology majors course may be utilized to complete the 21 units of required upper-division courses.
