B.A. in General Biology
The curriculum in general biology allows for breadth of exposure to all areas of biology. Since basic principles of physical science are central to many biological concepts, course work in physics and chemistry is included in the lower division requirements. This curriculum will satisfy the requirements for a major program in Life Sciences leading to a Single Subjects Credential. Students who are considering teaching life sciences should see a credential advisor in the Biology Department before planning the major. Specific courses and a competency assessment are required for admission to the credential program.
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Lower Division Requirements (32-33 units)

  • BIOL 230 ................. Introductory Biology I (5)
  • BIOL 240 ................. Introductory Biology II (5)
  • CHEM 115 ............... General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (5)
  • CHEM 130 ............... General Organic Chemistry (3)
  • CHEM 215 ............... General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (3) (CHEM 216 is recommended)
  • PHYS 111/112 .......... General Physics I and Laboratory (3-1)
  • PHYS 121/122 .......... General Physics II and Laboratory (3-1)
  • One Math course from the following:
    • MATH 124 ............. Elementary Statistics (3), or
    • MATH 226 ............. Calculus I (4)

    Total lower division requirements: ...................................................................... 32-33

Upper Division Requirements (24-25 units)

Students must see an advisor in order to work out a suitable program from choices given below.

  • BIOL 355 ................... Genetics (3)
  • One Physiology course from the following:
    • BIOL 525 .......... Plant Physiology (3)
    • BIOL 612 .......... Human Physiology (3)
    • BIOL 630 .......... Animal Physiology (3)
  • One Cell Biology course from the following:
    • BIOL 343 .......... Cellular and Molecular Immunology (3)
    • BIOL 350 .......... Cell Biology (3)
    • BIOL 401 .......... General Microbiology (3)
    • BIOL 450 .......... Biology of the Protozoa (3)
    • BIOL 524 .......... Plant Molecular Biology (3)
    • CHEM 349 ....... General Biochemistry (3)
  • One Physiology or Cell Biology laboratory course associated with course choices listed above (2) (substitutions allowed with signed advisor consent)
  • One Ecology course from the following*:
    • BIOL 482 .......... Animal Ecology (4)
    • BIOL 529 .......... Plant Ecology (4)
    • BIOL 580 .......... Limnology (4)
    • BIOL 582 .......... Biological Oceanography (3)
    • BIOL 585 .......... Marine Ecology (4)

*As of Fall 2004, Biol 313 Principles of Ecology has restructured course content and cannot be taken for credit towards any Biology undergraduate degree. Students who have taken Biol 313 Principles of Ecology prior to Fall 2004, may use the completed course for credit towards their degree (Please check with your advisor).

  • One Evolutionary or Organismal Biology course from the following: (substitutions allowed with signed advisor consent)
    • BIOL 328 .......... Human Anatomy (4)
    • BIOL 337 .......... Evolution (3)
    • BIOL 380 .......... Embryology (3)
    • BIOL 453/454 ... General Parasitology and Laboratory (3-1)
    • BIOL 459 .......... Arthropod Biology (4)
    • BIOL 460 .......... General Entomology (4)
    • BIOL 461 .......... Insect Taxonomy (4)
    • BIOL 475 .......... Herpetology (3)
    • BIOL 478 .......... Ornithology (4)
    • BIOL 480 .......... Mammalogy (4)
    • BIOL 500 .......... Evolution & Diversity of Plants (4)
    • BIOL 502 .......... Biology of the Algae (4)
    • BIOL 504 .......... Biology of the Fungi (4)
    • BIOL 505 .......... Comparative Anatomy of Vascular Plants (4)
    • BIOL 514 .......... Plant Taxonomy (5)
    • BIOL 555 .......... Marine Invertebrate Zoology (4)
    • BIOL 570 .......... Biology of Fishes (4)
  • Upper division electives selected in consultation with an advisor: (4-8)

    Total units for major - 57

    Note: SCI 510 (Search for Solutions), and interdisciplinary science capstone course is especially recommended as an elective for students preparing to teach at the high school or middle school levels. This course meets the teaching credential subject matter preparation requirement for an interdisciplinary science course.