Biology

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (120 units)

This degree program requires approximately 86-93 units in the major, of which 42-44 are in lower division and 44-49 are in upper division. The number of units and particular blend of science and mathematics makes this a very challenging learning experience. However, the depth and strength of this degree provides a strong and flexible base to pursue a variety of careers. Obtaining a minor in another discipline, such as chemistry, microbiology, engineering, business, or computer science, may enhance one's marketability. 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.

Admission Under Impaction

Refer to the following website for additional impaction criteria: http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/admissions/impacted_major.html.

Requirements

Lower Division:

Take all of the following courses:

BIOL 153 Introduction to Marine Biology (3)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Courses that fulfill the A.1 and B.2 GE requirements.
BIOL 211 Introduction to Evolution and Diversity (4)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: CHEM 111A with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 212 Intro to Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, CHEM 111A with grades of "C" or better. Prequisite/Corequisite: CHEM 111B.
BIOL 213 Intro to Ecology and Physiology (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212, CHEM 111B all with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 260 Biostatistics (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211 or BIOL 207 or MICR 200; MATH 111 or 113 or 119A or 122 all with a grade of "C" or better.
CHEM 111A General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisites: A passing score on the Chemistry Placement Examination and a "C" or better in MATH 113 or 117 or 119A or 122. One year of high school chemistry is strongly recommended.
CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111A with a grade of "C" or better.

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

Take one of the following courses:

PHYS 100A General Physics (4)
Prerequisite: MATH 109 or 113 or 117 or 119A or 120 or 122.
PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat (4)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 122.

Take one of the following courses:

PHYS 100B General Physics (4)
Prerequisites: PHYS 100A.
PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism (4)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151; Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 123.

Take one of the following courses:

MATH 119A Survey of Calculus I (3)
Prerequisite: Appropriate MDPT placement or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 113.
MATH 122 Calculus I (4)
Prerequisite: Appropriate MDPT placement or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 111 and 113, or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 117.

Take one of the following courses:

MATH 119B Survey of Calculus II (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 119A or 122.
MATH 123 Calculus II (4)
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in MATH 122.

The following courses do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this major: BIOL 100, 200, 200L, 205, 205L, 207, 208; MICR 101 and 200

Upper Division:

Take either:

CHEM 327 Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111A with a grade of "C" or better; CHEM 111B is recommended.

or all four of the following courses:

CHEM 322A Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111B with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 323A required except for students who have previously earned a "C" or better in CHEM 323A.
CHEM 322B Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 322A and CHEM 323A, both with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 323B required except for students who have previously earned a "C" or better in CHEM 323B.
CHEM 323A Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111B with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 322A required except for students who have previously earned a "C" or better in CHEM 322A.
CHEM 323B Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 322A and CHEM 323A, both with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 322B required except for students who have previously earned a "C" or better in CHEM 322B.

Take all of the following courses:

BIOL 313 Invertebrate Zoology (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212, 213 all with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 340 Molecular Cell Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212; CHEM 320A or 322A or 327 all with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 345 Comparative Animal Physiology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212, 213 all with grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 345L Lab in Comparative Animal Physiology (1)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: BIOL 345 with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 350 General Ecology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212, 213, 260; MATH 119A or 122 all with a grade of "C" or better. Chemistry and physics recommended.
BIOL 353 Marine Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153, 211, 212, 213, 260 all with grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 370 General Genetics (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212 and either BIOL 260 or CHEM 251 all with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 419 Ichthyology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212, 213, 260 and at least 6 additional units of upper division biological science, all with a grade of " C" or better. Recommended: BIOL 350, 353, and 370.
BIOL 425 Phycology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 353 with a grade of "C" or better.
BIOL 480 Seminars (1)
Prerequisites: Consent of undergraduate [graduate] advisor. Undergraduates must have filed for graduation and be in their last semester. Classified post-baccalaureates must have been admitted to a second baccalaureate or a certificate.
GEOL 465 Physical and Chemical Oceanography (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B; PHYS 100B, and upper division standing in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics or Engineering.
GEOL 466 Oceanography Lab & Ocean Studies (1)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 465.

Take a minimum of three courses from the following:

BIOL 411, 420, 449, 451, 454A, 455, 457, 464; BIOL/MICR 415; and, with prior permission of marine biology advisor for both BIOL 490, and 3 units of BIOL 496

The following courses do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this major: BIOL 301, 304, 305, 308; MICR 300; and NSCI 492.

Few, if any, health-related professional schools (e.g. veterinary medicine) will accept CHEM 327. Some graduate programs with masters or doctorates in biology and/or marine biology may also not accept CHEM 327. Students interested in these programs might consider taking CHEM 322A,B and 323A,B. CHEM 327 is not acceptable as a prerequisite for CHEM 441A. CHEM 327 is acceptable toward the Minor in Chemistry.