Major Requirements

Credits Required: 

Total credits: 120

Credits at CSUMB: 60

Credits in the major: 72 - 82, depending upon the concentration.  At least 40 units must be upper division, but not all of these need to be in the major.

The Biology major begins in the freshman year with specific requirements because most upper-division (junior/senior) biology courses require lower-division (freshman/sophomore) courses as prerequisites.

Like other majors at CSUMB, the Biology major is defined in terms of a set of Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs), which are things you'll be able to do after completing the major. Each of the three concentrations within the Biology major uses a slightly different set of courses to help you achieve the same outcomes in different ways. For details, check out the course requirements for each concentration.

MLO 1 Mathematical Foundations

Students apply the fundamental mathematical and statistical constructs used to analyze, interpret and communicate quantitative information.

Required Courses

  • STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics (4 units)
  • OR
  • STAT 250: Applied Stat:Sci Tech (4 units)
  • STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics (4 units)
  • OR
  • STAT 250: Applied Stat:Sci Tech (4 units)
  • STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics (4 units)
  • OR
  • STAT 250: Applied Stat:Sci Tech (4 units)

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.

Required Courses

  • CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I (5 units)
  • AND
  • CHEM 312: Organic Chemistry II (5 units)
  • One of the following Physics course options:
  • PHYS 150: Physics for Biologists (4 units)
  • OR
  • Note: The two-semester sequences of Organic Chemistry and Physics are required by most graduate schools.
  • Premedical Concentration
  • CHEM 110/L: Chemistry I (5 units)
  • CHEM 111/L: Chemistry II (5 units)
  • CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I (5 units)
  • CHEM 312: Organic Chemistry II (5 units)
  • PHYS 220: Physics I (4 units)
  • PHYS 221: Physics II (4 units)
  • Teacher Preparation Concentration
  • CHEM 110/L: Chemistry I (5 units)
  • CHEM 111/L: Chemistry II (5 units)
  • PHYS 150: Physics for Biologists (4 units)
  • AND ONE of the following Geology courses:
  • GEOL 260: Geology/Hydrology (4 units)
  • GEOL 210: Introduction to Earth Science (3 units)
  • AND one of the following organic chemistry course options:
  • CHEM 210/L: Survey of Organic Chemistry (4 units)
  • or both
  • CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I (5 units)
  • AND
  • CHEM 312: Organic Chemistry II (5 units)

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.

Required Courses

  • BIO 240/L: Ecology,Evol, Biodiversity (4 units)
  • BIO 241/L: Cellular & Molecular Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 242/L: Plant & Animal Form & Function (4 units)

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.

Required Courses

  • BIO 300: Issues & Ethics in Biology (4 units)
  • OR
  • ENVS 300: Read, Writ & Crit Thnk in ENVS (4 units)

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.)

Required Courses

  • General Biology Concentration
  • Choose ONE of the following:
  • BIO 310: Biochemistry (3 units)
  • BIO 344L: Environmental Biotech Lab (4 units)
  • BIO 361: Eukaryotic Molecular Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 410: Bioinformatics & Systems Bio (3 units)
  • ENVS 332: Intro to GIS/GPS (4 units)
  • ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methds (4 units)
  • ENVS 355: Environmental Monitoring (4 units)
  • PHYS 330: Electronics for Ecol Research (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  • Premedical Concentration
  • BIO 310: Biochemistry (3 units)
  • Teacher Preparation Concentration
  • Choose ONE of the following:
  • BIO 310: Biochemistry (3 units)
  • BIO 344L: Environmental Biotech Lab (4 units)
  • BIO 361: Eukaryotic Molecular Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 410: Bioinformatics & Systems Bio (3 units)
  • ENVS 332: Intro to GIS/GPS (4 units)
  • ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methds (4 units)
  • ENVS 355: Environmental Monitoring (4 units)
  • PHYS 330: Electronics for Ecol Research (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)

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 another major requirement.

Required Courses

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.

Required Courses

  • Premedical Concentration
  • Courses may not be double counted for any other MLO.
  • BIO 320: Microbiology (4 units)
  • General Biology Concentration
  • Complete one of the following. Courses may not be double counted for any other MLO.
  • BIO 320: Microbiology (4 units)
  • BIO 330: Comparative Physiology (4 units)
  • BIO 345: Marine Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 360: Vertebrate Natural History (4 units)
  • BIO 420: Marine Invertebrate Zoology (4 units)
  • BIO 472: California Flora (4 units)
  • ENVS 442: Vernal Pools of Ft Ord (4 units)
  • Selected MLML course with advisor and MLML approval
  • Teacher Preparation Concentration
  • Complete one of the following. Courses may not be double counted for two different MLO's.
  • BIO 320: Microbiology (4 units)
  • BIO 330: Comparative Physiology (4 units)
  • BIO 345: Marine Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 360: Vertebrate Natural History (4 units)
  • BIO 420: Marine Invertebrate Zoology (4 units)
  • BIO 472: California Flora (4 units)
  • ENVS 442: Vernal Pools of Ft Ord (4 units)

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. 

Required Courses

  • General Biology Concentration
  • Courses may not be double counted for two different MLO's
  • BIO 311: Genetics (3 units)
  • and one of the following courses
  • BIO 340: Ecology (4 units)
  • BIO 342: Plant Communities of CA (4 units)
  • BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology (4 units)
  • BIO 455: Marine Fish Ecology (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  • ENVS 470: Sci Pol & Mgmt in Marine Env (4 units)
  • or selected MLML course with advisor and MLML approval
  • Premedical Concentration
  • BIO 311: Genetics (3 units)
  • Teacher Preparation Concentration
  • Courses may not be double counted for two different MLO's.
  • BIO 311: Genetics (3 units)
  • and one of the following ecology courses
  • BIO 340: Ecology (4 units)
  • BIO 342: Plant Communities of CA (4 units)
  • BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology (4 units)
  • BIO 455: Marine Fish Ecology (4 units)
  • 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.

Note: BIO and ENVS courses with "S" designation also count towards upper-division general education.

Required Courses

  • General Biology Concentration
  • Choose one of the following courses
  • BIO 378S: Health Sciences SL (5 units)
  • BIO 379S: Biology Education Serv Learn (5 units)
  • ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL (5 units)
  • ENVS 384S: Social & Ecological Justice SL (2 units)
  • MATH 361S: Mathematics Tutors (4 units)
  • or selected upper-division service learning course approved by your advisor
  • Premedical Concentration
  • Choose one of the following courses
  • BIO 378S: Health Sciences SL (5 units)
  • BIO 379S: Biology Education Serv Learn (5 units)
  • ENVS 384S: Social & Ecological Justice SL (2 units)
  • MATH 361S: Mathematics Tutors (4 units)
  • Teacher Preparation Concentration
  • Choose one of the following courses
  • BIO 379S: Biology Education Serv Learn (5 units)
  • ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL (5 units)
  • ENVS 384S: Social & Ecological Justice SL (2 units)
  • MATH 361S: Mathematics Tutors (4 units)

MLO 10 Biology Capstone and Advanced Electives

Students complete a professional-quality poster and give an oral report that synthesizes their biological knowledge with their experiences in a course-based project, an internship, service learning project, independent research or other advisor-approved Capstone-level project. Students complete additional depth in their chosen biological field through advanced elective courses.

Required Courses

  • BIO 490: Biology Capstone (2 units)
  • OR
  • ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar (1 unit)
  • AND
  • Two elective courses from MLO 5, 6, 7, or 8 (or other adivsor-approved upper-division course). One of the courses must be a 400-level course.
  • Premedical Concentration
  • BIO 490: Biology Capstone (2 units)
  • AND
  • Two elective courses from MLO 5, 6, 7, or 8, or advisor-approved KIN, CHHS, or PH courses. One must be a 400-level course.
  • Teacher Preparation Concentration
  • BIO 490: Biology Capstone (2 units)
  • OR
  • ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar (1 unit)
  • AND
  • Two elective courses from MLO 5, 6, 7, or 8 (or other upper-division advisor-approved elective). One must be a 400-level course.

Concentrations

General Biology

The General Biology concentration is designed for students with an interest in any area of biology other than health sciences or secondary (high school) biology teaching. Students in the General Biology concentration can choose electives to focus on ecology, molecular biology, marine biology, or organismal biology, in preparation for either graduate school or working in a biology-related field after graduation.

Premedical

The Premedical concentration is designed to fulfill admissions requirements for medical, pharmacy, or veterinary school, and is intended to serve students interested in going on to professional school in the health sciences.

Teacher Preparation

The Teacher Preparation concentration is aligned with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's standards for middle school and high school biology teachers.