Lower Division Biology Courses

Note: Two semesters of Calculus (Math 119A/B or 122/123), two semesters of General Chemistry (Chem 111A/B), and two semesters of General Physics (Phys 100A/B) must be taken in addition to all of the following lower division Biology courses.

Lower division courses from other colleges may be transferred.  Visit ASSIST to determine equivalent lower division courses from other California schools.

Biol 153

Introduction to Marine Biology

Scientific approach to the study of marine organisms and their relationships to the environment. Emphasis on human interaction with marine ecosystems. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.) Field trips may be required outside of scheduled class time.

3 units.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in courses that fulfill the A.1 and B.2 GE requirements.

Evolution and Diversity, Lecture and Lab

The first of a three semester introductory sequence. Introduction to evolution and diversity. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

4 units.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Chem 101 or Chem 111A.

Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology, Lecture and Lab

The second of a three semester introductory sequence. Introduction to macromolecular and cellular structure and function and to fundamental genetic principles. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

4 units.

Prerequisites: Completion of Biol 211, and Chem 111A with grades of "C" or better.

Biol 213

Introduction to Ecology and Physiology, Lecture and Lab

The third of a three semester introductory sequence. Introduction to the functional biology of plants and animals, and the abiotic and biotic factors that affect their distribution and abundance. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

4 units.

Prerequisites: Completion of Biol 212; Pre/Corequisite: Chem 111B; all with grades of "C" or better.

Biostatistics

Use of probability and statistics in the description and analysis of biological data. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211, or BIOL 207 or MICR 200; MATH 111 or 113 or 119A or 122 with a grade of "C" or better.

Upper Division Biology Courses

Invertebrate Zoology

Systematics, morphology, and natural history of invertebrate animals, with an emphasis on local marine forms. Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 6 hrs.; weekend field trips may be required.)

4 units.

Prerequisite: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, all with grade of "C" or better.

Molecular Cell Biology

Detailed study of the organization and functioning of cells and cellular organelles at the molecular level; emphasis on experimental approaches and structural/functional relationships. Individual research paper on a current aspect of cellular/molecular biology required. (Lecture 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212; CHEM 320A or 327 all with a grade of "C" or better.

Comparative Animal Physiology

Comparison of the fundamental physiological processes of the major animal phyla. (Lecture 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, all with grade of "C" or better.

Laboratory in Comparative Animal Physiology

Laboratory course designed to acquaint students with direct observation and measurement of physiological processes in various animal groups, both invertebrate and vertebrate. (Laboratory 3 hrs.) 1 unit.

Prerequisites: BIOL 345 (may be taken concurrently.)

General Ecology

Relationships of plants and animals to their physical and biological environment; structure and function of populations, communities and ecosystems. (Lecture 3 hrs., and two required Saturday field trips.)

3 units.

Prerequisite: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213; BIOL 260; MATH 111 or 113 or 119A or 122 all with a grade of "C" or better. Chemistry and physics recommended.

Marine Biology

Study of pelagic and benthic marine ecosystems, including topics of food resources, mariculture, and pollution. Weekend field trips may be required. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 153, BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, and 260 all with a grade of "C" or better.

General Genetics

Detailed study of classical transmission genetics and an introduction to modern molecular genetics. Included will be current observations and concepts of the nature, organization, function and regulation of the expression of genetic material. (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.) 

4 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212, and either BIOL 260 or CHEM 441B, all with a grade of "C" or better.

Ichthyology

Systematics, morphology, genetics, and ecology of fishes. Emphasis on local marine forms. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs., weekend field trips may be required.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, 260, and at least 2 additional courses of upper division biological science, all with a grade of "C" or better. Recommended: BIOL 350, 353, and 370.

Phycology

Taxonomy, phylogeny, and physiology of algae, including the physiological ecology of marine macroalgae; emphasis on local marine forms. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 153, BIOL 313 or 350 or 353, with a grade of "C" or better.

Seminars

Weekly meetings with professional biologists presenting results of their research. Requires participation in organization and critical evaluation of these presentations.
1 unit.

Prerequisites: Graduation check on file.  Must be taken during student's last year in degree program.

Electives

Note: Three courses (minimum 9 units) from the list below are required.

Marine Mammalogy

Fundamental biological, ecological, and physiological concepts of all marine mammals, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, walruses, sirenians, and polar bears will be covered. Information concerning taxonomy, distribution, morphology, physiology, reproduction, and feeding will be obtained through textbook readings and current scientific literature. Laboratory will consist of fieldtrips, which may include weekends and spring recess. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or 353, BIOL 345, 350, all with grade of "C" or better, and consent of instructor. (Undergraduates enroll in BIOL 411; graduates enroll in BIOL 511.)

Biol 415

Marine Microbiology

Designed to familiarize microbiology and marine biology students with the role of microorganisms in the marine environment. Topics will include ecology, physiology, biogeochemistry and diversity of marine microbes. Laboratory/field component will emphasize examination and cultivation of local marine microbes. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs., weekend field trip may be required.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 353 or MICR 355 with a grade of "C" or better. (Undergraduates enroll in BIOL 415; graduates enroll in BIOL 515.)

Fisheries Ecology and Conservation

Advanced aspects of fish and invertebrate biology and behavior, economics, and conservation; emphasis on state-of-art field/laboratory techniques and contemporary concepts and their application in fishery management.  (Lecture 2 hr., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: Biol. 260, 350, and 419 all with a grade of "C" or better.  (Undergraduates enroll in BIOL 420; graduates enroll in BIOL 520.)

Fish Physiology and Endocrinology

Fundamentals of physiological systems and strategies in fishes, with an emphasis on endocrine regulatory mechanisms. Adaptations in the endocrine physiology of fishes will be considered from evolutionary and ecological perspectives. Impacts of human activities, particularly in the context of southern California’s marine environment, will also be addressed. (Lecture 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 345 with grade of "C" or better. (Undergraduates enroll in BIOL 449; graduates enroll in BIOL 549.)

Wetlands and Mangrove Ecology

Concepts of wetlands and mangrove ecology in relation to the general ecological processes that shape different types of wetland ecosystems. Physical and biogeochemical conditions, biological characteristics, specific players, and their interactions. Descriptions of specific coastal and inland wetland ecosystems: geomorphology, geochemistry, ecosystem structure, and function, and models. Included will be wetland management goals and concepts, and current approaches and practices in the U.S. and the world. Lecture time may be used for field trips, two of which will extend beyond standard lecture time. (Lecture 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 260, 350 all with a grade of "C" or better. (Undergraduates register in BIOL 451; graduates register in BIOL 551.)

Research in Tropical Marine Ecology

Field and laboratory studies, lectures, and individual research on tropical marine biological problems. Designed to engage students in experimental research, including: recognizing a problem, designing and carrying out a project, statistical data analysis, and oral and written report presentation. An eight-day field trip to Hawaii will be required during the spring recess at student expense. Enrollment is limited. (Lecture 1 hr., 8 day field trip.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 260, either 350 or 353, and 313 or 413 or 419 or 425, all with a grade of "C" or better. (Undergraduates register in BIOL 454; graduates register in BIOL 554.)

Ecology of Marine Communities

Discussion of field studies on ecological principles related to marine communities. Includes an individual field research project and two class projects. (Lecture 2 hrs., field 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 260, 350, 353 all with a grade of "C" or better. (Undergraduates register in BIOL 455; graduates register in BIOL 555.)

Biol 457

Field Methods in Ecology

Design of field research projects, collection and analysis of data, writing and presentation of reports. Emphasis on field sampling techniques. Five weekend field trips required. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory and field 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 260, 350 all with a grade of "C" or better. (Undergraduates register in BIOL 457; graduates in BIOL 557.)

Aquatic Toxicology

An in depth study of the interactions between anthropogenic chemicals and aquatic ecosystems. Topics include the origin, fate, chemical and biological detection, and quantification of pollutants and their impact at the molecular, biochemical, cellular, physiological, organismal, and community levels of organization. Individual research project required. (Lecture 3 hrs.)

3 units.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, 340; CHEM 320A or 327, all with grade of "C" or better. BIOL 353 and CHEM 448 or 441A,B recommended. (Undergraduates register in 464; graduates register in 564.)

Special Topics in Biology

Topics from selected areas of biology. Course content will vary from section to section. May be repeated for a maximum of six units with different topics. Topics may be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Traditional grading only. (Lecture 1-3 hrs.)

3 units required.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, with grade of "C" or better, consent of instructor. (Undergraduates register in BIOL 490; graduates register in BIOL 590.)

Undergraduate Directed Research

Research in a specific topic in the biological sciences to be approved and directed by a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences. May be repeated for a letter grade and degree credit to a maximum of three units for any single degree or option. Any units beyond the three taken for a letter grade in BIOL 496 or MICR 496, or any combination of the two, will be taken credit/no credit. Not available to graduate students. (Conference 1 hr., laboratory 3 hrs. per unit.) Same course as MICR 496.

3 units required to count as one elective.

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and 212 and 213, all with grade of "C" or better; consent of instructor.