Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, Organismal Biology Option, B.S.


This option is designed primarily for those interested in careers that involve the biology of animals, plants and the study of organisms in relation to their environment. It is particularly appropriate for those seeking employment in private industry (such as environmental consulting firms), or government service (such as fish and game agencies), as well as those students contemplating graduate work in these fields. This option requires approximately 78-81 units in the major, of which 36-38 units are in lower division and 42-43 units are in upper division.

All students must achieve at least a 2.0 grade-point average in each of the following: 1. the entire college record, 2. all units attempted at CSULB, and 3. all courses in the major.

In addition students must receive a C or better in all upper division major courses.

Degree Progress


Pre-Biology majors must complete the following requirements within the specified time of declaring the pre-major. Some students may need to take courses during Summer Session to meet these requirements. Students who have not met the requirements by the required semester must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the student’s performance in the courses merits an additional semester to complete.

Freshmen:


A grade “C” or better must be achieved within one and a half calendar years.

Requirements


Lower Division:


Note(s):

BIOL 111, BIOL 111L, BIOL 212 , BIOL 212L , BIOL 213 , BIOL 213L  are required if courses were taken prior to catalog year 2010-11.

Take one of the following courses:


Take one of the following courses:


Take one of the following courses:


Take one of the following course combinations in Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (Groups A or B):


Note(s):

Few, if any, health-related professional schools (e.g. veterinary medicine) will accept CHEM 227 . Some graduate programs with masters or doctorates in biology and/or ecology may also not accept CHEM 227 . Students interested in these programs might consider taking CHEM 220A ,CHEM 220B  and CHEM 223A ,CHEM 223B . CHEM 227  is not acceptable as a prerequisite for CHEM 441A . CHEM 227  is acceptable toward the Minor in Chemistry.

Upper Division:


Take a minimum of 36 upper division units to include the following:

Take all of the following courses: (11 units)


Although BIOL 340  is not required for this option, it is a prerequisite for many 400-level courses and may be used as an elective.

Take at least one of the following courses/course pairs: 3-4 units


Select a minimum of two courses from the following (any combination of courses from the two groups is acceptable):


Additional Upper Division Courses


Take 2-3 additional upper division courses totaling 6-9 units in the Department of Biological Sciences so that a minimum number of 36 upper division units are completed. At least three of these units must be at the 400 level. Note that many 400 numbered courses require BIOL 340 , which can also count as one of these elective courses.

Courses outside of BIOL that can also count toward these units include


Courses that will not count towards these units are


Students Contemplating Graduate or Professional School


Students contemplating graduate or professional school should consider taking 1-3 units of BIOL 496  in addition to the requirements listed above. With prior permission of the advisor for this option, students may use 3 units of BIOL 496  as an elective.