Biology, Bachelor of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• 72 - 77 units units of major requirements.

• Students may transfer up to 75 units of credit from an accredited community college.

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology is for students who are fascinated by the wonders of life, from the smallest microorganisms to the complexities of ecosystems, unraveling the mysteries of genetics, ecology, and the intricate workings of living organisms.

Our BS in Biology students use hands-on learning to explore the diversity of life, contribute to scientific discoveries, and address global challenges. This major offers a modern, balanced, and comprehensive treatment of biology, emphasizing critical information analysis and integration among its sub-disciplines. Students begin by taking foundational courses that address fundamental biological concepts such as cellular and molecular processes, genetics and inheritance, and ecological and evolutionary theory. After completing the foundation courses, students tailor their degree plans to match their interests in areas of physiology, evolution, ecological systems, genetics, or cell theory.

Students seeking research opportunities can engage with our biological research faculty and/or our associated research center - Center for Adaptive Western Landscapes, Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, and the Pathogen and Microbiome Institutes.

Our BS in Biology graduates attain high-level scientific inquiry skills and have endless career opportunities in graduate school, healthcare, research, education, conservation, government agencies, environmental science, or biotechnology. This degree encourages your curiosity to grow as it plunges you into the world of biology.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Identify, describe, and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in biology using the fundamental principles of the natural sciences including:
  • The basic molecular and cellular units of structure that define all living things.
  • The limits and processes of biological systems as they operate through chemical transformations and energy flow in biological systems.
  • The theory of evolution and how the diversity of life has evolved and is evolving via four population genetic mechanisms (mutation, migration, selection, drift).
  • The molecular, genetic, and environmental bases of variation and how the phenotype of an organism is controlled by its genotype and environment.
  • The fundamental principles of biological science operating at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels (e.g., central dogma, inheritance, energy flow, diversity of life).
  • Identify the ethics and responsibilities of working with living organisms.
• Apply scientific and quantitative reasoning in data interpretation and analysis of biological data by:
  • Applying the scientific method, inquiry, and discovery to the study of living systems.
  • Apply methods for collecting, statistically analyzing, and interpreting scientific data with application to problems in biology.
  • Applying quantitative reasoning (e.g., arithmetic algebraic methods or statistical analyses) to biology and related natural sciences  
  • Applying and interpreting basic statistical methods and graphically presenting scientific data to communicate scientific findings.
  • Understanding the difference between ethical and unethical conduct of research.
• Effectively communicate evidence-based findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Interpret primary scientific literature in biological sciences.
  • Find and evaluate primary sources, assessing the quality of information, the source's credibility, and the ethical practices of the research conducted.
  • Synthesize empirical findings in biology, and communicate the findings through collaboration, writing, and oral presentation.
  • Understand and apply ethical practices in communicating science by giving appropriate credit to the work of other scholars via in-text citations and reference lists.
• Synthesize fundamental concepts, apply core knowledge, and conduct civil discourse in Biology as it relates to organisms, habitats, ecosystems, or human health questions.
  • Apply depth of biological knowledge by applying core concepts to new contexts or problems in conservation, climate change, natural resource management, forestry, agriculture, or human/animal health.
  • Apply biological principles and demonstrate the ability to interpret data in evaluating the strength of evidence and conclusions.
  • Apply the unifying concept of evolution to explain patterns and processes in biological systems.
  • Synthesize foundational knowledge of ethics to evaluate responsible conduct in research as it pertains to the collection and curation of data, use of living organisms, use of natural and cultural resources, or dissemination of results in biological sciences.