Bachelor of Science in Biology
The Bachelor's of Science in Biology is designed to give students a broad foundation in the biological sciences while affording them the freedom to specialize in a subfield of their choice. The core requirements emphasize the relationship between structure and function in living systems and the concept that biological processes can be studied at the cellular/molecular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels. Upper division electives allow students the option to tailor their curriculum towards particular subjects in biology. The degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the biological sciences and related fields, such as: biology- or science-related positions in academia, government, non-government organizations (NGOs), or industry; entry to graduate programs in biological research; or entry to pre-professional programs including medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine.
Students majoring in Biology may repeat an upper-division Biology course no more than once. Failing any two upper-division Biology courses disqualifies the student from continuation as a Biology major.
Nearly all of the courses in the BS in Biology curriculum are always entirely in-person. When hybrid or online courses are offered, there will be alternative courses that fulfill the same requirement that can be taken that are entirely in-person.
The Department also offers an articulation and Early Admission Program that provides admission to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program at Western University of Health Sciences. It is available on a competitive basis to a limited number of CSUSB Biology students. The program is open to CSUSB Biology majors only, who may apply for admission to the program after completing BIOL 2010, 2020, CHEM 2100, 2100L, 2200, 2200L, and MATH 2210 at CSUSB with a grade point average of at least 3.3 in those courses. Applicants will be screened and interviewed by a joint committee from CSUSB and Western University of Health Sciences, and up to four students will be admitted annually.
Candidates accepted to the program who (1) maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.3 in the required courses and complete specified upper division coursework for the major, (2) achieve a score of 500 or higher Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and (3) complete the specified course work will:
- satisfy the requirements for the B.S. in Biology and
- have a position reserved for them in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at Western University of Health Sciences for the year following completion of the B.S. degree. Additional information regarding application and admission to the program is available in the Biology Department Office and on the Biology Department website.
Requirements (71-80 units)
Total units required for graduation: 120
Students majoring in Biology may repeat an upper-division Biology course no more than once. Failing any two upper-division Biology courses disqualifies the student from continuation as a Biology major.
Requirements for the B.S. in Biology
(Program Code: BIOL)
| Lower-division requirements (41-50) | ||
| BIOL 2010 | Principles of Biology I | 5 |
| BIOL 2020 | Principles of Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM 2100 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 2100L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 2200 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 2200L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| Organic chemistry | ||
| One of the sets of chemistry courses listed below (choose Group A, Group B, Group C, or Group D): | 8-9 | |
Group A: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Lecture | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
Group B: | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry I Laboratory | ||
Group C: | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
Group D: | ||
| Principles of Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Note: The requirement in organic chemistry may be met by the completion of one year of transferable organic chemistry course work from another institution of higher education. | ||
| A series of math courses: Choose Group A or B below: | 3-8 | |
Group A: | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
Group B: | ||
| Modeling with Calculus | ||
| A series of physics courses: chose Group A or B below: | 10-13 | |
Group A: | ||
| Introduction to Physics I | ||
| Introduction to Physics I Lab | ||
| Introduction to Physics II | ||
| Introduction to Physics II Lab | ||
Group B: | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics I Lab | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| General Physics II Lab | ||
| Modern Physics | ||
| Upper-division requirements (30) | ||
| BIOL 5000 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| A minimum of 29 units of upper-division course work in biology (excluding courses numbered BIOL 3000-3099), with at least one course from each of Groups A, B, and C below: | 29 | |
| Group A (Cell and Molecular Biology): | ||
BIOL 3100-3399 | ||
| Group B (Organismal Biology): | ||
BIOL 3400-3699 | ||
| Group C (Population and Ecosystem Biology): | ||
BIOL 3700-3959 | ||
| Total Units | 71-80 | |