Summary of Requirements


Some courses have required lab components.

MLO 1 Mathematical Foundations ~ Students apply the fundamental mathematical and statistical constructs used to analyze, interpret and communicate quantitative information.

  • Core courses required for all concentrations: 
  • In addition, complete all:
    • General Biology ConcentrationMATH 150 Calculus 1
    • Premed Concentration:  MATH 150 Calculus 1 and MATH 151 Calculus II

MLO 2 Physical Science Foundations ~ Students use the nomenclature, concepts and methodology of chemistry and physics to describe, measure and predict the chemical and physical properties and processes of physical and biological systems.

  • Core courses required for all concentrations:
  • In addition, complete:
    • General Biology Concentration
    • Premed Concentration:
      • CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II, PHYS 220/L Physics I, and PHYS 221/L Physics II
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration:
      • CHEM 210/L Survey of Organic Chemistry  OR  (CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II)
      • PHYS 150/L Physics for Biologists
      • GEOL 304/L Earth Science for Teachers

MLO 3 Biological Foundations ~ Students understand and describe the role of evolution as it applies to the diversity of life and life processes on earth, including molecular and cellular biology, genetics, organismal biology and ecology, and they apply basic scientific principles and methods to these biological processes.

  • Core courses required for all concentrations:
    • BIO 240/L Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity, BIO 241/L Cellular and Molecular Biology, and BIO 242/L Plant and Animal Form and Function

MLO 4 Communication and Ethics in Biology ~ Students identify, research, analyze, and present clearly, in oral and written formats, for scientific and non-scientific audiences, historical and current complex biological concepts in appropriate contexts. Students analyze their own and other ethical frameworks surrounding such issues.

  • Core course required for all concentrations:
    • BIO 300 Issues and Ethics in Biology

MLO 5 Information, Technology and Scientific Inquiry in Biology ~ Students detect, describe and observe patterns that emerge from the analysis of biological questions, use the scientific method to develop questions and test hypotheses, and demonstrate competence in the analysis and display of data. (Courses taken in MLO 5 may not be double counted for MLO 6.)

  • Core course required for all concentrations: 
    • None
  • In addition:
    • General Biology Concentration, choose one:
    • Premed Concentration: BIO 310/L Biochemistry
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration: BIO 310/L Biochemistry

MLO 6 Advanced Knowledge in Molecular and Cellular Biology ~ Students apply scientific principles and methods to the study of molecular life processes and the structure and function of cells. (Courses taken in MLO 5 may not be double counted for MLO 6.)

  • Core course required for all concentrations:
    •   None
  •  In addition:
    • General Biology Concentration, choose one:
      • BIO 310/L Biochemistry;
      • BIO 314 or BIO 414 Molecular Cell Biology;
      • BIO 344L Environmental Biotechnology Lab;
      • BIO 460L Yeast Genetics & Molecular Biology Lab
    • Premed Concentration: BIO 314 or BIO 414 Molecular Cell Biology
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration: BIO 314 or BIO 414 Molecular Cell Biology

MLO 7 Advanced Knowledge in Organismal Biology ~ Students apply biological principles and scientific methods to the study of one or more chosen areas of organismal biology.

IMPORTANT: All students should meet with their upper-division advisor to select a sequence of courses appropriate to their career goals. (Courses may not be double counted for two different MLOs.)

  • Core course required for all concentrations:
    • None.
  • In addition:
    • General Biology Concentration, choose one:
    • Premed Concentration: BIO 320/L Microbiology
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration, choose one:
      • BIO 320/L Microbiology;
      • BIO 345/L Marine Biology;
      • BIO 360/L Vertebrate Natural History;
      • BIO 420/L Marine Invertebrate Zoology;
      • BIO 472/L California Flora;
      • ENVS 442/L Vernal Pools of Ft Ord

MLO 8 Advanced Knowledge in Ecology, Evolution or Genetics ~ Students apply advanced concepts in molecular and population genetics, evolution or experimental and theoretical ecology to modern questions in biology. 

  • Core courses required for all concentrations:
  • In addition:
    • General Biology Concentration, choose one:
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration: BIO 340/L Ecology or BIO 448/L Aquatic Ecology or advisor-approved course.

MLO 9 Service in Biology ~ Students demonstrate the ability to share an understanding of biology with culturally, linguistically, economically and technologically diverse communities.

  • Core course required for all concentrations:
    • None 
  • In addition:
    • General Biology Concentration, choose one:
      • ENVS 349S Natural History Interpretation;
      • ENVS 369S Com-Based Watershed Restoration Service Learning;
      • BIO 378S Health Sciences Service Learning;
      • BIO 379S Biology Preparation Service Learning;
      • ENVS 384S Environmental Justice & Environmental Policy Service Learning;
      • Or another upper-division service learning course approved by advisor.
    • Premed Concentration, choose one :
      • BIO 378S Health Sciences Service Learning;
      • BIO 379S Biology Education Service Learning;
      • ENVS 384S Environmental Justice & Environmental Policy Service Learning
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration, choose one :
      • ENVS 349S Natural History Interpretation;
      • ENVS 369S Com-Based Watershed Restoration Service Learning;
      • BIO 379S Biology Education Service Learning;
      • ENVS 384S Environmental Justice & Environmental Policy Service Learning;
      • MATH 361S Mathematics Tutors

MLO 10 Biology Capstone ~ Students complete written and oral reports synthesizing their biology knowledge with their experiences in a course-based project, an internship, service learning project, independent research or other advisor-approved Capstone-level project.

  • Core course required for all concentrations:
    • BIO490 Biology Capstone
      OR
    • ENVS 400 Capstone Seminar I and ENVS 402 or ENVS 403 Capstone Seminar I may be substituted with advisor approval.
  • In addition:
    • General Biology Concentration, choose one of the following project-oriented courses: 
      • BIO 410 Bioinformatics & Systems Bio;
      • BIO 420/L Marine Invertebrate Zoology;
      • BIO 344L Environmental Biotech Lab;
      • BIO 448/L Aquatic Ecology;
      • BIO 460L Yeast Genetics & Molecular Bio Lab;
      • BIO 472/L California Flora;
      • BIO 494 Biology Internship;
      • BIO 497 Independent Study;
      • ENVS 440 Environmental Modeling;
      • ENVS 442/L Vernal Pools of Ft Ord;
      • ENVS 470 Marine Conservation Biology
    • Premed Concentration, choose one capstone-related class:
      • BIO 344L Environmental Biotechnology Lab;
      • BIO 460L Yeast Genetics & Molecular Bio Lab;
      • BIO 497 Independent Study;
      • ENVS 440 Environmental Modeling;
      • ENVS 442/L Vernal Pools of Ft Ord;
      • PH 420 Adv. Com Health Pract.;
      • CHHS 450 Health/Social Policy Analysis
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration, choose one of the following capstone-related courses which may be double counted with other MLOs:
      • BIO 410 Bioinformatics & Systems Bio;
      • BIO 420/L Marine Invertebrate Zoology;
      • BIO 344L Environmental Biotechnology Lab;
      • BIO 448/L Aquatic Ecology;
      • BIO 460L Yeast Genetics & Molecular Bio Lab;
      • BIO 472/L California Flora;
      • BIO 494 Biology Internship;
      • BIO 497 Independent Study;
      • ENVS 440 Environmental Modeling;
      • ENVS 442/L Vernal Pools of Ft Ord

 

  • Concentration Electives:
    • General Biology Concentration: Two additional electives from MLO 5, 6, 7, 8, at least one of which is 400 level.
    • Premed Concentration: Two additional electives from MLO 5, 6, 7, 8 or advisor-approved KIN, CHHS, or PH courses, at least one of which is 400 level.
    • Teacher Preparation Concentration: Two additional electives from MLO 5, 6, 7, 8, at least one of which is 400 level.