Apr 13, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Multidisciplinary Sciences, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Multidisciplinary Sciences is designed for those students considering a professional career requiring multiple areas of expertise in the sciences. The program also provides a fundamental education in multiple science disciplines that prepares students for careers and graduate degrees requiring a science background. Multidisciplinary Sciences majors must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the major. A minimum of 120 units is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission based on CSU Requirements and CSULB STEM Eligibility Index./

Requirements

Lower Division:

Take all of the following courses:

BIOL 211 - Introduction to Evolution and Diversity (4 units)
CHEM 111A - General Chemistry (5 units)
SCED 100 - An Introduction to Scientific and Spatial Reasoning (3 units)
Take one of the following courses or course pairs:
ERTH 102 - Planet Earth (3 units) And ERTH 104 - Planet Earth Lab (3 units)
or
ERTH 106 - Earth Science for Teachers (4 units)
Take one of the following:
MATH 112B - Essential Algebra B (3 units)
or
MATH 113 - Precalculus Algebra (3 units)
or
MATH 119A - Survey of Calculus I (3 units)
or
MATH 122 - Calculus I (4 units)
Take one of the following:
PHYS 100A - General Physics (4 units)
or
PHYS 151 - Mechanics and Heat (4 units)

Upper Division:

Take all of the following courses:

ASTR 370 - Planetary Environments (3 units)
SCED 403 - Integrated Science (3 units)
SCED 404 - The Nature of Science and Scientific Reasoning (3 units)

Explorations

Take total of 38 units, with a minimum of 12 upper division units total, in each of TWO of the following explorations:

Biology Exploration (all sequences)

Take both of the following courses:

BIOL 212 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (4 units)
BIOL 213 - Introduction to Ecology and Physiology (4 units)
CHEM 111B - General Chemistry (5 units) *
Take 5-7 units of other Biology coursework based on one of 3 BIOLOGY Exploration sequences.
* not necessary if completing a Chemistry sequence.

Chemistry Exploration (all sequences)

Take the following course:

CHEM 111B - General Chemistry (5 units)
Take 13-15 units of other Chemistry coursework based on one of 4 CHEMISTRY Exploration sequences.

Earth Science Exploration (all sequences)

Take the following course:

ERTH 240 - Historical Geology (4 units)
Take 14-16 units of other Earth Science coursework based on one of 4 EARTH SCIENCE Exploration sequences.

Physics Exploration (all sequences)

Take all of the following courses:

MATH 224 - Calculus III (4 units)
MATH 123 - Calculus II (4 units)
PHYS 152 - Electricity and Magnetism (4 units)
PHYS 254 - Applied Modern Physics (3 units)
Take 3-5 units of other Physics coursework as designated in the PHYSICS Exploration Sequence.

1. Biology Exploration

The following three sequences compose the Biology Exploration.

Biology Teaching Sequence

Take all of the following courses:

BIOL 340 - Molecular Cell Biology (3 units)
BIOL 342 - Human/Mammalian Physiology (3 units)
BIOL 342L - Laboratory in Human/Mammalian Physiology (1 unit)
Take one of the following courses (only if completing both Biology and Chemistry sequences)
BIOL 313 - Invertebrate Zoology (4 units)
BIOL 316 - General Entomology (4 units)
BIOL 324 - Vertebrate Zoology (4 units)
BIOL 345 - Comparative Animal Physiology (3 units)
BIOL 345L - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Physiology (1 unit)
BIOL 423 - Mammalogy (3 units)
BIOL 434 - Hematology (3 units)
BIOL 442 - Physiology at the Limit (3 units)
BIOL 443 - Endocrinology (3 units)
BIOL 444 - Reproductive Biology (3 units)
BIOL 462 - Bioethics and Public Policy (3 units)

Ecology and Evolution Sequence

Take all of the following:

BIOL 260 - Biostatistics (3 units)
Take at least two of the following courses (for at least 7 units)
BIOL 312 - Evolutionary Biology (3 units) ** (strongly recommended)
BIOL 313 - Invertebrate Zoology (4 units)
BIOL 316 - General Entomology (4 units)
BIOL 324 - Vertebrate Zoology (4 units)
BIOL 345L - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Physiology (1 unit)
BIOL 350 - General Ecology (3 units) ** (strongly recommended)
BIOL 353 - Marine Biology (3 units)
BIOL 355 - Microbial Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 355L - Microbial Ecology Laboratory (2 units)
BIOL 370 - General Genetics (4 units)
BIOL 371 - Microbial Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 372 - Methods in Microbial Genetics (2 units)
BIOL 419 - Ichthyology (3 units)
BIOL 421 - Herpetology (4 units)
BIOL 423 - Mammalogy (3 units)
BIOL 424 - Ornithology (3 units)
BIOL 425 - Phycology (4 units)
BIOL 427 - Vascular Plant Systematics (4 units)
BIOL 439 - Plant Morphology (4 units)
BIOL 450 - Plant Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 451 - Wetlands and Mangrove Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 452 - Behavioral Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 454B - Research in Tropical Terrestrial Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 456 - Population Ecology (3 units)
BIOL 457 - Field Methods in Ecology (4 units)
BIOL 459 - Conservation Biology (3 units)
BIOL 462 - Bioethics and Public Policy (3 units)
BIOL 474 - Bioinformatics (3 units)

Biomedical Sequence

Take four of the following (for 10-12 units):

BIOL 208 - Human Anatomy (4 units)
BIOL 311 - General Microbiology (4 units) ** (strongly recommended)
BIOL 320 - Bacterial Pathogenesis (3 units)
BIOL 320L - Medical Microbiology Laboratory (3 units)
BIOL 322 - Parasitic Diseases (4 units)
BIOL 325 - Emerging Infectious Diseases (3 units)
BIOL 340 - Molecular Cell Biology (3 units) ** (strongly recommended)
BIOL 342 - Human/Mammalian Physiology (3 units) ** (strongly recommended)
BIOL 342L - Laboratory in Human/Mammalian Physiology (1 unit)
BIOL 345 - Comparative Animal Physiology (3 units)
BIOL 345L - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Physiology (1 unit)
BIOL 371 - Microbial Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 372 - Methods in Microbial Genetics (2 units)
BIOL 416 - Virology (3 units)
BIOL 430 - Immunology (3 units)
BIOL 433 - Developmental Biology (3 units)
BIOL 434 - Hematology (3 units)
BIOL 440L - Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory (4 units)
BIOL 442 - Physiology at the Limit (3 units)
BIOL 443 - Endocrinology (3 units)
BIOL 444 - Reproductive Biology (3 units)
BIOL 448 - Principles of Neurobiology (3 units)
BIOL 464 - Aquatic Toxicology (3 units)

2. Chemistry Exploration

The following four sequences compose the Chemistry Explorations.

Biochemistry/Chemistry Teaching 1 Sequence

(Sequence includes the courses necessary to meet the requirements of the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.)

Take the following courses:

CHEM 220A - Organic Chemistry I (3 units)
CHEM 220B - Organic Chemistry II (3 units)
CHEM 241 - Explorations in Biochemistry (1 unit)
CHEM 448 - Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry (3 units)
CHEM 449 - Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory (1 unit)
Take one of the following (for 1-3 units):
CHEM 223A - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
CHEM 223B - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 unit)
CHEM 320 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units)
CHEM 330 - Bio-inorganic Chemistry (3 units)
CHEM 361 - Chemical Communications (3 units)
CHEM 379 - Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences (4 units)

Biochemistry/Chemistry Teaching 2 Sequence

(Sequence includes the courses necessary to meet the requirements of the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.)

Take the following courses:

CHEM 448 - Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry (3 units)
CHEM 449 - Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory (1 unit)
CHEM 227 - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (3 units)
CHEM 241 - Explorations in Biochemistry (1 unit)
Take two of the following courses (for 4-6 units):
CHEM 251 - Quantitative Analysis (4 units)
CHEM 301 - Naturally Dangerous (3 units)
CHEM 223A - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
CHEM 330 - Bio-inorganic Chemistry (3 units)

Physical Chemistry Sequence

Take the following courses:

CHEM 371A - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (3 units)
CHEM 371B - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (3 units)
CHEM 385 - Materials Science (3 units)
Take two of the following courses (for 4-6 units):
CHEM 251 - Quantitative Analysis (4 units)
CHEM 385L - Materials Science Laboratory (2 units)
CHEM 385C - Materials Science Colloquium (1 unit)

Inorganic Chemistry Sequence

CHEM 251 - Quantitative Analysis (4 units)
CHEM 331 - Inorganic Chemistry (3 units)
CHEM 332 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units)
Take two of the following courses (for 4-6 units):
CHEM 227 - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (3 units)
CHEM 301 - Naturally Dangerous (3 units)
CHEM 371A - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (3 units)
CHEM 371B - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (3 units)

3. Earth Science Exploration

The following four sequences compose the Earth Science Explorations.

Earth Science Teaching Sequence

(Sequence includes the courses necessary to meet the requirements of the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.)

Take the following courses:

ASTR 100 - Astronomy (3 units)
ASTR 100L - Introductory Astronomy Laboratory (1 unit)
ERTH 190 - Environmental Geology (3 units)
ERTH 280 - Water Resources and Society (3 units)
ERTH 300 - Earth Systems and Global Change (3 units)
ERTH 303 - Coastal Systems and Human Impacts (3 units)

Earth Science and the Environment Sequence

Take the following courses:

ERTH 150 - Geology of Parks (4 units)
ERTH 250 - Introduction to Geologic Field Methods (3 units)
ERTH 303 - Coastal Systems and Human Impacts (3 units)
Take two of the following courses (for 4-6 units):
ERTH 160 - Introduction to Oceanography (3 units)
ERTH 160L - Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory (1 unit)
ERTH 190 - Environmental Geology (3 units)
ERTH 300 - Earth Systems and Global Change (3 units)
ERTH 322 - Crystallography and Mineralogy (3 units)
ERTH 339 - Introduction to Geomorphology (3 units)
ERTH 341 - Paleontology and Biostratigraphy (4 units)
ERTH 363 - Earth Materials (4 units)
ERTH 433 - Structural Geology (4 units)
ERTH 443 - Stratigraphy/Sedimentology (4 units)

Physics of the Earth Sequence

Take the following courses:

ERTH 300 - Earth Systems and Global Change (3 units)
ERTH 428 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology and Petrography (3 units)
ERTH 460 - Introduction to Geophysics (3 units)
Take one of the following courses (for 3-4 units):
ERTH 339 - Introduction to Geomorphology (3 units)
ERTH 363 - Earth Materials (4 units)
ERTH 443 - Stratigraphy/Sedimentology (4 units)
ERTH 462 - Physics of the Earth’s Interior (3 units)
ERTH 465 - Physical and Chemical Oceanography (3 units)
ERTH 474 - Physical Hydrology (3 units)
ERTH 477 - Hydrogeology (4 units)

Earth Science and Contemporary Society Sequence

Take the following courses:

ERTH 280 - Water Resources and Society (3 units)
ERTH 300 - Earth Systems and Global Change (3 units)
ERTH 303 - Coastal Systems and Human Impacts (3 units)
Take two of the following (for a minimum of 5 units and maximum of 8 units):
ERTH 190 - Environmental Geology (3 units)
ERTH 191 - Air and Water Pollution (3 units)
ERTH 310 - Environmental Impacts of War (3 units)
ERTH 339 - Introduction to Geomorphology (3 units)
ERTH 340 - Climate and Human History (3 units)
ERTH 363 - Earth Materials (4 units)
ERTH 443 - Stratigraphy/Sedimentology (4 units)
ERTH 461 - Introduction to Geochemistry (3 units)

4. Physical Exploration

The following sequence composes the Physical Exploration.

General Physics/Physics Teaching Sequence

(Sequence includes the courses necessary to meet the requirements of the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.)

Students following this exploration must take PHYS 151 and PHYS 152 in their core sequence.

Take all of the following:

PHYS 255 - Laboratory on Modern Physics (1 unit)
PHYS 320 - Thermodynamics (3 units)

Grade Requirements

All B.A. MDSC majors must earn a “C” or better in all science courses (Core and Explorations) counting toward the major (including transfer courses) and must maintain major and upper-division major GPAs of 2.0 or higher. A student whose GPA in the major or upper division GPA in the major falls below 2.0 will be advised that they are at risk of being dismissed from the major and granted one semester to raise their major GPA to 2.0. Students who do not successfully raise their major GPA must meet with an advisor to declare another major or submit an appeal to the Department of Science Education explaining why they need one additional semester.

Students whose major GPAs remain below 2.0 after this additional semester must declare a new major.

Students Desiring Entrance into a Health Professions Program

Students desiring entrance into one of the various health-related professional schools should consult with the Health Professions Advising Office in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Jensen Student Access to Sciences and Mathematics Center (HSCI-164) for more information. Most of these schools do not require students to major in one science discipline and many favor applicants who have earned a baccalaureate that includes science in some regard. However, it will be important for students to identify and successfully complete the courses required for their post-baccalaureate plans.