Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Lower-Division Core Requirements
An introduction to the unifying principles of biology, to all kingdoms of living organisms, to evolution, genetics and ecology, and to the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the fundamental processes of life. The intention of this core is to develop an awareness of the broad scope of modern biology.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| MATH 165 Elementary Statistics (applies in GE) | 4 |
| CHEM 115AB/116AB General Chemistry (5 apply in GE) | 10 |
| BIOL 121 Diversity, Structure and Function (applies in GE) | 4 |
| BIOL 122 Genetics, Evolution and Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 123 Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| Total units in lower-division core | 26 |
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| CHEM 335A Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| GEOL 102 (Intro Geology) or PHYS 210A/209A (General Physics with Laboratory) | 3-4 |
| Total units in natural sciences support courses | 8-9 |
Biology majors are expected to complete all of the lower-division core requirements before attaining junior standing (60 units). This maximizes flexibility in upper-division course selection by ensuring that essential prerequisites will have been completed.
BIOL 121, 122 and 123 should be completed before taking any upper-division course.
Upper-Division Core Requirements
Complete one course from each of the following groups (additional courses from each group may be used as electives or may be required for particular concentrations):
Organismal Biology (4 units minimum)
- BIOL 336 Plant Biology (4)
- BIOL 340 General Bacteriology (4)
- BIOL 350 Invertebrate Biology (4)
- BIOL 360 Vertebrate Biology (4)
Physiology (4 units minimum)
- BIOL 324 Animal Physiology (4)
- BIOL 326 Environmental Physiology (4)
- BIOL 334 Plant Physiology (4)
- BIOL 370 Vertebrate Evolutionary Morphology (4)
Molecular and Cell Biology (4 units minimum)
- BIOL 320 Molecular Genetics (4)
- BIOL 321 Molecular Microbiology (4)
- BIOL 325 Cell Biology (4)
- BIOL 383 Virology (4)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (4 units minimum)
- BIOL 300 Ecology (4)
- BIOL 301 Evolution (4)
- BIOL 345 Biometry (4)
- BIOL 375 Behavioral Ecology (4)
Major Electives
Upper-division biology courses selected in consultation with the student's advisor, with the restrictions and exceptions listed in the following paragraph.
All courses that are included in the biology major, except BIOL 390, 395, 498, and 499, must be taken under the traditional grading mode (A-F). In the Cr/NC grading mode, a maximum of 4 units from any combination of the above courses may be included in the major. Regardless of grading mode, a maximum of 7 units from any combination of BIOL 390, 395, 495, 496, 498, and 499 may be included. In conjunction with a second major, minor in another department, or with advisor's and department chair's written approval, up to 4 units from the following list of courses may be included: ANTH 301, 302, 314, 318, 345, 347, 414, 447; BIOL 218, 220, 224, 304, 309, 311, 312, 314, 318, 332, 385; CHEM 340, 341, 441, 445, 446; ENSP 305, 315, 321, 323; GEOG 416; GEOL 105, 413; KIN 360; PSY 451.
| Total units in B.A. major electives | 15 |
| Total biology units in the B.A. | 43 |