The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Student Learning Outcomes

All candidates for the BS in Biological Sciences will demonstrate mastery in the following Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students can describe the structure and function of cellular components and explain how they interact in a living cell.

2. Students can demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms driving evolution and can describe similarities and differences of the major taxonomic groups.

3. Students can describe how cells interact to develop tissues and organs and how these contribute to a functional organism.

4. 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.

5. Students demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to use, the processes and methods of scientific inquiry.

6. Students can formally communicate the results of biological investigations using both oral and written communication skills.

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

BIOL 151 is an approved advanced course substitution for Life Sciences (B2).

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

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. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Major Core Program: 54 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 40 units

11 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 109	The Biological University Experience		1.0	FS
A university success course for biology majors new to California State University, Chico. Appropriate for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. The course explores academic and social opportunities in addition to resources available to promote successful completion of the student's educational goals. Meets twice a week for the first half of the semester. 1 hour lecture. Credit/no credit grading. (021133)
BIOL 151	Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to biological molecules, bioenergetics, cellular structure and function, elements of molecular biology and genetics, and mechanisms of macroevolution and systematics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001122)
BIOL 152	Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology		4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001123)
BIOL 153	Principles of Physiology and Development		4.0	FA	GE
Prerequisites: BIOL 151; CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment recommended. Introduction to plant and animal physiology and development. Laboratory consists of small group independent investigations of biological questions that include student-devised experiments; application of biological techniques, data analysis, and peer reviewed presentation of results. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (020284)
CHEM 111	General Chemistry		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.) Principles of chemistry for students in science, medical, and related professions. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, periodic table, gases, solids, liquids, solutions, and equilibrium. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001816)
CHEM 112	General Chemistry		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better. A continuation of CHEM 111. Chemical energetics, rates of reaction, acids and bases, solubility, oxidation-reduction, and nuclear chemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
CHEM 270	Organic Chemistry		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 112. An introduction to the theory and mechanism of organic reactions. To be followed by CHEM 370, which completes the two-semester sequence for science majors. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001840)
ENVL 105I	Environmental Literacy - Writing Intensive		3.0	FS	GE  WI
This course introduces students to the issue and practices of environmental literacy. Environmental literacy is the capacity to perceive and interpret the relative health of environmental systems and to connect the environment to human physical, mental, and social health. Students are encouraged to recognize that their lives depend upon the environment, and that their personal decisions affect the environment. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. (021259)
PHYS 202A	General Physics		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico). Mechanics, properties of matter, wave motion, sound, heat. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204A instead of this course. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007394)
PHYS 202B	General Physics		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A with a grade of C- or higher. Light, electricity, magnetism, selected topics in modern physics. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204B instead of this course. Algebra and trigonometry are used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007395)
MATH 109	Survey of Calculus		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; MATH 118, MATH 119 (or High School equivalents). This course covers the fundamental concepts and techniques of differential and integral calculus with an introduction to differential equations. Emphasis on applications from the Life Sciences. This course is not intended for majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or engineering. No credit for students with credit in MATH 120. A grade of C- or higher is required for GE credit. 4 hours discussion. (005512)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

Upper-Division Requirements: 14 units

Biological sciences majors are expected to have completed BIOL 109, BIOL 151, BIOL 152, BIOL 153, CHEM 111, and CHEM 112 before beginning their upper-division requirements.

5 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 350	Fundamentals of Ecology		3.0	FS	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Some taxonomic background is recommended. Interrelationships among living organisms, field observations of such phenomena. Application of quantitative and qualitative methods to the interpretation of ecological phenomena. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (001206)
BIOL 360	Genetics		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or permission of instructor. A detailed study of the principles of classical, molecular, and population/evolutionary genetics. Activities will include computer simulations of segregation, linkage, and population genetics, internet-based database searches for genetic diseases and cloned genes, and searches of the current genetic literature. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion. (001173)
BIOL 492	Seminars in Biological Science		1.0	FS
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing or faculty permission. Analysis of seminars on various topics in the biological sciences. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001232)
CHEM 370	Organic Chemistry		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 270 with a grade of C- or higher. Lecture continuation of the theory and mechanisms of organic reaction. 3 hours discussion. (001852)
MATH 315	Applied Statistical Methods I		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement. Introduction to common procedures used to analyze data. Single and two sample inference, analysis of variance, multiple regression, analysis of co-variance, experimental design, repeated measures, nonparametric procedures, and categorical data analysis. Examples are drawn from biology and related disciplines. Statistical packages are introduced. Appropriate for biology, agriculture, nutrition, psychology, social science and other majors. 3 hours discussion. (005568)

Major Option Course Requirements: 24 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.

The Option in Cellular and Molecular Biology: 24 units

4 courses required:

12 units selected from:

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

Note: A maximum of 3 units of BIOL 399 may be taken in one semester, and a maximum of 3 units of BIOL 399, BIOL 489, or BIOL 499H may be credited toward the major.

The Option in Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology: 24 units

1 course required:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

14 units selected from:

Select courses from the following groups, for 24 units total for this option.

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 436	Waterfowl Biology and Wetland Management		3.0	FA
This lecture, lab, and field course exposes students to the evolution, ecology, morphology, classification, and identification of North American waterfowl. Additionally, this course has a strong hands-on wetland management component, as well as extensive exposure to the primary literature. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (021105)
BIOL 456	Field Botany		2.0	INQ
Prerequisites: BIOL 152. An examination of the ecological factors of plant distribution; taxonomy of the plants of biotic communities of northeastern California. 1 hour discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001209)
BIOL 484	Field Ecology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 350. Principles of ecology illustrated in the context of biotic communities. Field studies using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Laboratory segment offered at local field sites. 1 hour discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001203)
BIOL 479	Zooarchaeology and Field Ecology		3.0	SM
Prerequisite: faculty permission. This course is also offered as ANTH 479. An intensive field-based introduction to identification techniques and interpretive procedures used in the analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites. Ecological principles will be explored through field observations. A laboratory component will involve the identification of vertebrate osteological remains from sites in Northern California and the Great Basin. 1 hour lecture, 6 hours laboratory. (000603)
BIOL 496	Field Studies		1.0 -3.0	INQ
This course is a field study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with as supervising faculty member. Concentrated field study of habitats or organisms in the field. Forty-five hours of field work for each unit of credit. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001234)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 402	Microbial Ecology		4.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 152. Recommended: BIOL 321. The roles and interactions of viruses, bacteria, algae, protozoa, and fungi in the natural and human environment, stressing fundamental principles of ecology and evolution. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001225)
BIOL 404	Aquatic Ecology		4.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, CHEM 112. Physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing the ecology of inland waters. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001207)
BIOL 428	Animal Behavior		3.0	F1
Prerequisites: BIOL 153. Consideration of the basic problems in animal behavior, including orientation, social behavior, and the nature and organization of animal societies. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001205)
BIOL 613	Population Ecology		4.0	F2
Prerequisites: BIOL 350. Study and lecture/discussion of population ecology, with an emphasis on field methods used on local populations. 2 hours seminar, 6 hours laboratory. (001303)
BIOL 668	Community and Ecosystem Ecology		3.0	S1
Prerequisites: BIOL 350 and a statistics course. The analysis, modeling, and computer simulation of the structure and function of communities and ecosystems, with emphasis on patterns of competition, predation, energy and nutrient flow and succession. 2 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (001305)
BIOL 672	Plant Ecology		4.0	S2
Prerequisites: BIOL 350, BIOL 448, graduate standing. Autecology, emphasizing California vascular plants, with focus on current topics in behavioral and reproductive ecology. Field project work and detailed literature survey. 2 hours seminar, 6 hours laboratory. (001299)
GEOS 536	Applied Ecology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 350. Examination of the mechanisms, directions, and magnitude of an organism's or ecosystem's response to human perturbation. 3 hours discussion. (004166)

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

A minimum of two courses from:

Note: A maximum of 3 units of BIOL 399 may be taken in one semester, and a maximum of 3 units of BIOL 399, BIOL 489, or BIOL 499H may be credited toward the major.

The Option in Plant Biology: 24 units

3 courses required:

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 448	Plant Diversity and Identification		4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Principles of plant classification with field study of local flora, emphasizing the higher plants and their phylogenetic relationships. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001198)
BIOL 451	Plant Geography		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 369. The composition and distribution of plant communities, emphasizing the ecological, environmental, and evolutionary processes that affect them. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020283)
BIOL 484	Field Ecology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 350. Principles of ecology illustrated in the context of biotic communities. Field studies using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Laboratory segment offered at local field sites. 1 hour discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001203)

10-11 units selected from:

Select courses from the following groups, for 24 units total for this option.

A minimum of one course from:

A minimum of one course from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 370	Advanced Zoology		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, BIOL 152, and BIOL 153, or faculty permission. Advanced study of animal anatomy, morphology, physiology, ecology, and evolution. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020281)
BIOL 371	Microbiology		4.0	FS	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; BIOL 151, BIOL 152, BIOL 153, or faculty permission. Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, as well as viruses. Topics include cell structure, metabolism, genetics; ecological interactions; pathogenic mechanisms; and the roles of microorganisms in sanitation, food production, and biotechnology. The lab focuses on methods for growing and studying diverse microbes. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (020279)
BIOL 399	Special Problems		1.0 -3.0	FS
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Research in biology under direct supervision of faculty member. For majors only. This course counts toward the upper-division biology units required for the BS. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001167)
BIOL 422	General Entomology		4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Recommended: BIOL 153. The morphology, ecology, and physiology of insects. Economic entomology and medical entomology, and taxonomy. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001210)
BIOL 442	Plant Morphology		4.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 153. Comparative morphology of plant types, emphasizing evolution of structures and methods of reproduction. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001191)
BIOL 448	Plant Diversity and Identification		4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Principles of plant classification with field study of local flora, emphasizing the higher plants and their phylogenetic relationships. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001198)
BIOL 451	Plant Geography		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 369. The composition and distribution of plant communities, emphasizing the ecological, environmental, and evolutionary processes that affect them. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020283)
BIOL 452	Phycology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152. Reproduction, morphology, taxonomy, and economic importance of the algae. Field and laboratory work with both freshwater and marine representatives. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001192)
BIOL 456	Field Botany		2.0	INQ
Prerequisites: BIOL 152. An examination of the ecological factors of plant distribution; taxonomy of the plants of biotic communities of northeastern California. 1 hour discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001209)
BIOL 484	Field Ecology		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 350. Principles of ecology illustrated in the context of biotic communities. Field studies using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Laboratory segment offered at local field sites. 1 hour discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001203)
BIOL 489	Internship in Biology		1.0 -3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Necessary background for the specific internship. This internship course is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. The internship program is designed to provide students with direct field or laboratory research experience in occupational settings. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001228)
BIOL 499H	Honors Research in Biological Sciences		3.0 -6.0	INQ
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. An intensive 6-unit, one-year course in biological research. See department office for details. (Open only to students with at least a 3.0 GPA in the major.) The course will consist of participation in a team research effort. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001244)

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

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

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.