Bachelor of Science in Biology
Compared to the B.A. program, the B.S. program requires 8-14 more units of physical sciences and mathematics support courses, more focused upper-division major course selections, a senior research project, and 132 total units for graduation. A total of 36 units of U.D. BIOL is required. Students must specify and meet requirements for a particular concentration for the B.S. The lower-division core is structured so that switching between the B.A. and B.S. programs in the first two years will not delay completing either degree.
| Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core | Identical to the B.A. degree |
| Upper-Division Core | Identical to the B.A. degree. |
| Additional Natural Sciences Support Courses | 22 |
| Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| MATH 161 Calculus | 4 |
| CHEM 335AB Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| PHYS 210 AB General Physics | 6 |
| PHYS 209A or 209B General Physics Laboratory (students with calculus may take PHYS 114 (4), PHYS 116 (1), and PHYS 214 (4) to meet the physics requirement) |
1 |
| Concentration-specific courses (below) | 3 |
Concentrations
| Requirement | Course | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core in Biology (12) | BIOL 121 | 4 |
| BIOL 122 | 4 | |
| BIOL 123 | 4 | |
| Physical Sciences & Mathematics (29) | CHEM 115A | 5 |
| CHEM 115B | 5 | |
| CHEM 335A- Organic Chemistry | 5 | |
| GEOL 102- Introduction to Geology with lab | 3 | |
| PHYS 210A & 209A- General Physics with lab | 4 | |
| MATH 161 - Calculus, OR MATH 165 - Elementary Statistics |
4 | |
| ASTR 100- Descriptive Astronomy | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Core Requirements (20) | Organismal Biology complete 1 of the following: BIOL 322 Invertebrate Biology, OR BIOL 327 Vertebrate Biology |
4 |
| Physiology (complete 1 of the following): BIOL 349 Animal Physiology, OR BIOL 347 Environmental Physiology, OR BIOL 348 Plant Physiology |
4 | |
| Molecular and Cell Biology (complete 1 of the following): BIOL 342 Molecular Genetics, OR BIOL 344 Cell Biology |
4 | |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (complete both of the following): BIOL 333 Ecology, AND BIOL 341 Evolution |
5 | |
| Additional Upper-Division Requirements (20) | BIOL 329 Plant Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 390 Biology Colloquium | 1 | |
| BIOL 400 Ocean Science Literacy | ||
| BIOL 499* Classroom Internship | ||
| EDUC 417** School & Society (fulfills GE D1) | ||
| EDUC 418** Learning & Development in Adolescents | ||
| EDSP 433** Teaching Adolescents with Special Needs | ||
| Total Units | 81 |
* Students must coordinate this with the Teaching Credential Advisor in the Department of Biology.
** Prerequisites for teaching credential program.
| Requirement | Course | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core in Biology (12) | BIOL 121 | 4 |
| BIOL 122 | 4 | |
| BIOL 123 | 4 | |
| Physical Sciences & Mathematics (22-23) | CHEM 115A | 5 |
| CHEM 115A | 5 | |
| CHEM 335A- Organic Chemistry | 4 | |
| MATH 165 - Elementary Statistics | 4 | |
| GEOL 102 - Introduction to Geology, OR PHYS 210A & 209A- General Physics with lab |
3-4 | |
| Upper-Division Core Requirements (20) | Organismal Biology (complete the following): BIOL 329 Plant Biology |
4 |
| Physiology (complete the following) BIOL 348 Plant Physiology |
4 | |
| Molecular & Cell Biology (complete 1 of the following): BIOL 342 Molecular Genetics, OR BIOL 344 Cell Biology |
4 | |
| Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (complete both of the following) BIOL 333 Ecology, AND BIOL 341 Evolution |
8 | |
| Additional Upper-Division Requirements (11) | BIOL 330 Plant Taxonomy | 4 |
| BIOL 331 Aquatic Botany | 4 | |
| Additional upper-division electives | 3 | |
| Complete biology major units of your choice | ||
| Total Units | 65-66 | |
| Recommended Upper-Division Courses (but not required) | BIOL 323 Entomology | 4 |
| BIOL 335 Marine Ecology | 4 | |
| ENSP 322 Conservation Biology | 4 | |
| ENSP 423 Restoration Ecology | 4 |
Recommended Advisors for Botany
- Hall Cushman
- Karina Nielsen
- Nathan Rank
- Richard Whitkus
| Requirement | Course | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core in Biology (12) | BIOL 121 | 4 |
| BIOL 122 | 4 | |
| BIOL 123 | 4 | |
| Physical Sciences & Mathematics (22-23) | CHEM 115A- General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 115A- General Chemistry | 5 | |
| CHEM 335A- Organic Chemistry | 4 | |
| MATH 165 - Elementary Statistics | 4 | |
| GEOL 102 - Introduction to Geology, OR PHYS 210A & 209A- General Physics with lab |
3-4 | |
| Upper-Division Core Requirements (24) | Organismal Biology (complete both the following): BIOL 322 Invertebrate Biology BIOL 327 Vertebrate Biology |
8 |
| Physiology (complete 1 of the following) BIOL 347 Environmental Physiology, OR BIOL 349 Animal Physiology |
4 | |
| Molecular & Cell Biology (complete 1 of the following): |
4 | |
| Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (complete 1 of the following): BIOL 333 Ecology, OR BIOL 337 Behavioral Ecology, OR BIOL 341 Evolution, OR BIOL 335 Marine Ecology |
4 | |
| Additional Upper-Division Requirements (7-8) | Take 1 of the following: BIOL 323 Entomology OR BIOL 328 Vertebrate Evolutionary Morphology |
4 |
| Any core courses listed above not already included, OR BIOL 463 Herpetology, OR BIOL 468 Mammalogy, OR BIOL 472 Developmental Biology |
4 | |
| Total Units | 65-67 |
Recommended Advisors for Zoology
- Dan Crocker
- Nick Geist
- Derek Girman
- Karina Nielsen
- Nathan Rank
| Requirement | Course | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core in Biology (12) | BIOL 121 | 4 |
| BIOL 122 | 4 | |
| BIOL 123 | 4 | |
| Physical Sciences & Mathematics (33) | CHEM 115A- General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 115A- General Chemistry | 5 | |
| CHEM 335A- Organic Chemistry | 4 | |
| CHEM 335B- Organic Chemistry | 4 | |
| MATH 165 - Elementary Statistics | 4 | |
| MATH 161 - Calculus I | 4 | |
| PHYS 210A - General Physics Lecture | 3 | |
| PHYS 210B - General Physics Lecture |
3 | |
| PHYS 209A or 209B - General Physics Lab | 1 | |
| Upper-Division Core Requirements (20) | Organismal Biology (complete the following): BIOL 322 Invertebrate Biology |
4 |
| Physiology (complete the following) BIOL 347 Environmental Physiology |
4 | |
| Molecular & Cell Biology (complete 1 of the following): |
4 | |
| Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (complete 1 of the following): BIOL 335 Marine Ecology, OR BIOL 341 Evolution |
8 | |
| Additional Upper-Division Requirements (19) | Take all of the following: BIOL 485 Biometry, AND BIOL 331 Aquatic Botany |
8 |
| Take all of the following: BIOL 495 Special Studies in Biology BIOL 496 Senior Thesis Research |
3 | |
Additional upper-division electives: Complete biology major units of your choice |
8 | |
| Total Units | 65-67 | |
| Recommended Upper-Division Courses (but not required) | BIOL 312 Biological Oceanography |
3 |
| BIOL 333 Ecology |
4 | |
| BIOL 472 Developmental Biology |
4 | |
| BIOL 400 Ocean Science Literacy | 4 |
Recommended Advisors for Marine Biology
- Dan Crocker
- Karina Nielsen
Mollecular and Cell Biology Concentration:
Lower-Division Core in Biology (12)
BIOL 121, 122, and 123 (4 units each)
Physical Sciences & Mathematics (36)
CHEM 115A & 115A (General Chemistry, 5 units each)
CHEM 335A & 335B (Organic Chemistry, 8 units)
CHEM 445 or 446 (Biochemistry Lecture, 3 units)
MATH 165 (Elementary Statistics, 4 units)
MATH 161 (Calculus I, 4 units)
PHYS 210A & 210B (General Physics Lecture, 6 units)
PHYS 209A or 209B (General Physics Lab, 1 unit)
Upper-Division Core in Biology (20)
a. Organismal Biology (complete the following, 4 units)
BIOL 340 General Bacteriology
b. Physiology (complete 1 of the following, 4 units)
BIOL 348 Plant Physiology
BIOL 349 Animal Physiology
c. Molecular & Cell Biology (complete both of the following, 8 units)
BIOL 342 Molecular Genetics
BIOL 344 Cell Biology
d. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (complete the following, 4 units)
BIOL 341 Evolution
Additional Upper-Division Requirements (16)
a. Take 2 of the following (8 units)
BIOL 343 Molecular Microbiology
BIOL 383 Virology
BIOL 480 Immunology
BIOL 472 Developmental Biology
b. Take 1 of the following (3-4 units)
BIOL 544 Advanced Cell Biology
BIOL 545 Recombinant DNA Laboratory
CHEM 441 Biochemical Methods
c. Take all of the following (3 units)
BIOL 495 Special Studies in Biology
BIOL 496 Senior Thesis Research
d. Additional upper-division electives (1-2 units) Complete biology major units of your choice
Total Units 84
Recommended Upper-Division Courses (but not required)
BIOL 346 Introduction to Bioinformatics 4
BIOL 485 Biometry 4
Recommended Advisors (in alphabetical order): Jim Christmann, Mike Cohen, Naveed Khan, Murali Pillai, and Eileen Thatcher
Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Concentration:
Lower-Division Core in Biology (12)
BIOL 121, 122, and 123 (4 units each)
Physical Sciences & Mathematics (33)
CHEM 115A & 115A (General Chemistry, 5 units each)
CHEM 335A & 335B (Organic Chemistry, 8 units)
MATH 165 (Elementary Statistics, 4 units)
MATH 161 (Calculus I, 4 units)
PHYS 210A & 210B (General Physics Lecture, 6 units)
PHYS 209A or 209B (General Physics Lab, 1 unit)
Upper-Division Core in Biology (20)
a. Organismal Biology (complete 1 of the following, 4 units)
BIOL 322 Invertebrate Biology
BIOL 327 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 329 Plant Biology
b. Physiology (complete 1 of your choice, 4 units)
c. Molecular & Cell Biology (complete the following, 4 units)
BIOL 342 Molecular Genetics
d. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (complete both of the following, 8 units)
BIOL 333 Ecology
BIOL 341 Evolution
Additional Upper-Division Requirements (19)
a. Take all of the following (8 units)
ENSP 322 Conservation Biology
BIOL 485 Biometry
b. Take 1 of the following (4 units)
BIOL 335 Marine Ecology
BIOL 337 Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 3xx Environmental Microbiology
GEOG 416 Biogeography & Landscape Ecology
c. Take all of the following (3 units)
BIOL 495 Special Studies in Biology
BIOL 496 Senior Thesis Research
d Additional upper-division electives (4 units) Complete biology major units of your choice
Total Units 84
Recommended Upper-Division Courses (but not required)
BIOL 323 Entomology 4
BIOL 328 Vertebrate Evolutionary Morphology 4
BIOL 330 Plant Taxonomy 4
BIOL 347 Environmental Physiology 4
BIOL 463 Herpetology 3-4
BIOL 468 Mammalogy 4
ENSP 423 Restoration Ecology 4
Recommended Advisors (in alphabetical order): Dan Crocker, Hall Cushman, Nick Geist, Derek Girman, Karina Nielsen, Nathan Rank and Richard Whitkus.
Physiology Concentration:
Lower-Division Core in Biology (12)
BIOL 121, 122, and 123 (4 units each)
Physical Sciences & Mathematics (36)
CHEM 115A & 115A (General Chemistry, 5 units each)
CHEM 335A & 335B (Organic Chemistry, 8 units)
CHEM 446 (Metabolic Chemistry Lecture, 3 units)
MATH 165 (Elementary Statistics, 4 units)
MATH 161 (Calculus I, 4 units)
PHYS 210A & 210B (General Physics Lecture, 6 units)
PHYS 209A or 209B (General Physics Lab, 1 unit)
Upper-Division Core in Biology (24)
a. Organismal Biology (complete 1 of the following, 4 units)
BIOL 322 Invertebrate Biology
BIOL 327 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 329 Plant Biology
b. Physiology (complete 3 of the following, 12 units)
BIOL 328 Vertebrate Evolutionary Morphology
BIOL 347 Environmental Physiology
BIOL 349 Animal Physiology
BIOL 348 Plant Physiology
c. Molecular & Cell Biology (complete the following, 4 units)
BIOL 344 Cell Biology
d. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (complete 1 of your choice, 4 units)
Additional Upper-Division Requirements (12)
a. Take the following (4 units)
BIOL 472 Developmental Biology
b. Take all of the following (3 units)
BIOL 495 Special Studies in Biology
BIOL 496 Senior Thesis Research
c. Additional upper-division electives (5 units)
Complete biology major units of your choice
Total Units 84
Recommended Upper-Division Courses (but not required)
BIOL 341 Evolution 4
BIOL 342 Molecular Genetics 4
BIOL 340 Bacteriology 4
BIOL 485 Biometry 4
Recommended Advisors (in alphabetical order): Dan Crocker, Nick Geist and Murali Pillai.
*See the description for major electives with the B.A. for limitations on Cr/NC grading mode and course selection.
The minor consists of a minimum of 20 units in biology with a GPA of 2.00 or higher. The purpose of the minor is to provide the student with an understanding of general biology and to supplement the student's major with pertinent biology courses.
Students will structure programs in consultation with the chair of the Biology Department. General requirements that must be met in any plan are:
Minor Core Requirements
At least three of the following courses:
BIOL 115 An Introduction to Biology (3)
BIOL 121 Diversity, Structure and Function (4)
BIOL 122 Genetics, Evolution and Ecology (4)
BIOL 123 Molecular and Cell Biology (4)
BIOL 218 General Microbiology (4)
Total units in minor core ..........11-12
Minor Electives
Choose additional upper-division biology courses to total a minimum
of 20 units. A maximum of 3 units of BIOL 304, 309, 311, 312, 314, 318,
332 or 385; and a maximum of 1 unit of BIOL 390 may be applied to the minor.
Students are urged to seek approval of their minor program by the department
chair not later than their junior year.
Total units in minor electives ..........8-9
Total units in the minor .................20
All courses applied to the biology minor must be taken under the traditional grading mode (A-F), BIOL 390 excepted.
Secondary Education
Teaching Credential Preparation
in Life Science
Teaching biology as a subject requires a credential from the State of California, obtained by completing a Single Subject Credential Program (at SSU, through the Department of Education). The appropriate credential is in science with a biological sciences concentration. Biology students must demonstrate competence in the natural sciences and biology by passing the SSAT/Praxis examinations before admission to, or during completion of, their credential program (see the Teacher Recruitment and Information Center, Stevenson Hall, Room 3023 for details). No specific degree or set of courses is required, but passage of the exams requires proficiency in life sciences, chemistry, geosciences (astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography), physics, and general issues in science, as well as advanced knowledge of biology. Both the B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology provide strong background for passing the exams and gaining entrance into a credential program provided that coursework in physical sciences not specifically required by the degree is completed. See the department chair for additional information. Admission into the SSU credential program also requires that students pass the CBEST exam and complete these two courses:
EDUC 417 School and Society (counts in G.E. area D1) .....3
EDUC 418 Learning and Development in Adolescents .....3
Admission also requires completion of an approved, 40-hour field experience in middle school (20 hours) and high school classrooms (20 hours), as well as three letters of recommendation and an interview.