Biological Sciences

Department Chair: Jesse G. Dillon

Department Office: Hall of Science (HSCI) 104
Telephone / FAX: (562) 985‑4806 / (562) 985-8878
Website: Biological Sciences Department

Faculty: Bengt J. Allen, Renaud Berlemont, Judith A. Brusslan, Michael Carlson, Ashley Carter, Jesse G. Dillon, Susan Finkbeiner, Amanda Fisher, Deborah Fraser, Manuela Gardner, Editte Gharakhanian, Michael Harris, Raisa Hernández Pacheco, Erika Holland, Darren Johnson, Caleb Jones, Lisa S. Klig, Jiae Lee, Kay K. Lee-Fruman, Christopher G. Lowe, Ari Martinez, Douglas Pace, Benjamin Perlman, Bruno G. Pernet, Peter Ramirez, Bryan C. Rourke, Kevin Sinchak, Theodore Stankowich, Barbara Taylor, Houng-Wei Tsai, Colin Umeda, Christine Whitcraft, Raymond R. Wilson, Jr., Kelly A. Young, Mason X. Zhang

Administrative Support Coordinator: Janine Rodriguez

Credential: Kristin Straits

Undergraduate Advisors:

General Biology - Amanda Fisher
Biology Education - Amanda Fisher
Cell and Molecular Biology and Physiology - Deborah Fraser and Douglas Pace
Marine Biology - Bruno Pernet
Microbiology - Deborah Fraser
Zoology, Botany & Ecology - Bruno Pernet

Graduate Advisor and Support Staff: Kevin Sinchak and Jennifer Carrillo

Health Professions Advisor Office (HSCI 152): Thomas Mast

Biotechnology Certificate Advisor: Lisa S. Klig

Students desiring information should contact the department office for referral to one of the faculty advisors.

College: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Courses: BIOL

Career Possibilities

Research Scientist • Physician • Dentist • Pharmacist • Veterinarian • Marine Biologist • Biologist • Lab Technician • Biological Aide • Technical Writer • Biological Illustrator • Forester • Quality Control Technician • Biomedical Engineer • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative • Fish and Wildlife Biologist • Food Technologist • Microbiologist • Criminologist • Dietitian • Medical Technologist • Health Planner • Physician’s Assistant • Medical Librarian • Respiratory Therapist • Curator • Ecologist • Environmental Specialist • Sanitarian (Some of these, and other careers, require additional education or experience. For more information, see Career Development Center website.) Various entry-level trainee positions in business and industry are available for graduates regardless of academic discipline.

Introduction

Biological sciences include all areas of scientific endeavor centered around the general question of the nature of life. Such diverse areas as genetics, genomics, physiology, cell biology, marine biology, ecology, and animal behavior are all part of the biological sciences. The disciplines of the biological sciences represented in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are in the Department of Biological Sciences, which offers five degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, a Master of Science in Biology, and a Master of Science in Microbiology. The B.S. in Biology has, in addition to a general option, three specialized options in Biology Education, Zoology, Botany & Ecology and Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology. See below the specific requirements for each of these degrees and options. The Department of Biological Sciences also participates in the Desert Studies Consortium and the Ocean Studies Institute. Information on the latter program is listed in this catalog under Ocean Studies Institute.

Academic Advising

All entering students who declare a major in a degree program offered by this department need to contact the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Academic Advising Center (HSCI 164) and participate in SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration). This program is held in June/July for those starting in the Fall Semester and in December/January for those starting in the Spring Semester. Department advisors will be available to provide an overview of the students’ chosen baccalaureate degree program, to assist with academic advisement, to provide information on the many career opportunities available, and to aid students in enrolling in classes. Contact the CNSM Academic Advising Center (HSCI 164), Jensen Student Access to Sciences and Mathematics Center (HSCI 164), or department office for additional information.

Graduate Student Financial Support

The Department of Biological Sciences offers graduate students a limited number of teaching associate and instructional student appointments. Forms requesting consideration for these appointments are available from the Administrative Support Coordinator. Duties consist of approximately 15-20 hours per week devoted to preparation and/or instruction in general undergraduate laboratory classes.

The department also has a limited number of technical assistant positions as well as some hourly employment. Some members of the faculty have grants that provide research assistantships and scholarships are available through the university.

Graduate and Health Professional Preparation

The department provides preparation for advanced study at the graduate level and for entry into health professional schools. Students should consider the degree requirements listed in the catalog as minimal; some graduate schools, professional schools, or careers may require additional coursework in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biological sciences.

Students desiring entrance into a graduate school to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in some area of the biological sciences should determine the entrance requirements for the school(s) of interest early in their undergraduate years. Specifically, students contemplating graduate work in mathematically oriented areas of the biological sciences should consider taking more calculus (MATH 122 , MATH 123 , MATH 224 , and MATH 364A or MATH 370A will substitute for MATH 119A and MATH 119B ); those contemplating graduate work in chemically oriented areas should consider taking additional chemistry (CHEM 220A , CHEM 220B ; CHEM 251 ; CHEM 377A , CHEM 377B ; CHEM 441A , CHEM 441B ).

Students desiring entrance into one of the various health related professional schools should consult with the Health Professions Advisor for more information. Most of these schools do not require students to major in any particular discipline but favor holders of a bachelor’s degree. They prefer students who have done well in their major and who also took the prerequisite courses required by that particular school.

Single Subject Teaching Credential in Biology

The Biology BS and Biology Education BS degrees meet the California state subject matter requirement for earning a Single Subject Credential in Biology. The application process and coursework for earning a Single Subject Credential in Biology is found at Single Subject Credential Program and Single Subject Credential Program Areas.

Programs

Graduate and Professional Degrees

Undergraduate Degrees

Minor

Certificates

Courses

Biology

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