Courses

Biology Program

California State University San Marcos

Biology is the study of life, from vast continental and marine ecosystems to single microscopic cells. The primary goal of the Department of Biological Sciences at Cal State San Marcos is to help students develop the theoretical, practical, and analytical tools necessary to appreciate the breadth of biology and pursue their specific research interests and career goals. Toward this end, the department offers a diverse selection of small, student-centered courses taught by a faculty devoted to student success. In addition, Cal State San Marcos Biology students have exceptional opportunities to pursue cutting-edge research in well-equipped, modern laboratories. As early as their sophomore year, undergraduates are encouraged to participate in faculty-supervised research projects which provide practical experience in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and oral/written presentation of experimental findings. This experience gives our graduates the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in fields such as biotechnology, natural resources management, and biology education, as well as opportunities to pursue advanced or professional degrees in the life sciences.

PREPARATION FOR THE MAJOR         120 Total Minimum Units Required
•LOWER-DIVISION BIOLOGY COURSES (12 UNITS)
BIOL 210-Intro to Cellular & Molecular Biology  4
BIOL 211- Intro to Organismal & Population Biology  4
BIOL 215 – Experimental Design & Statistical Analysis   3
BIOL 215L – Lab in Experimental Design & Stat Analysis 1
•NON-BIOLOGY SUPPORTING COURSES (29 UNITS)
CHEM 150-General Chemistry     5
CHEM 201-Organic Chemistry     3
CHEM 201L-Organic Chemistry Lab    2
CHEM 202-Organic Chemistry     3
CHEM 250-Quantitative Chemistry    3
MATH 160-Calculus with Applications I    5
PHYS 101 or PHYS 205                                                                                4
PHYS 102 or PHYS 206                                                              4

ECOLOGY CONCENTRATION
•UPPER-DIVISION CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (36 UNITS)
BIOL 351-Molecular Cell Biology   5
BIOL 352-Genetics     4
BIOL 353-Comparative Animal Physiology   4
BIOL 354-Principles of Ecology    4

•UPPER-DIVISION BIOLOGY ELECTIVES: MINIMUM OF 19 UNITS REQUIRED.
Units in sections A + B below should total a minimum of 19 units.
A.  CHOICE OF THREE (3) COURSES (10-12 UNITS): AT LEAST ONE MUST HAVE A LAB.

BIOL 379-Invertebrate Biology (4)                                        BIOL 388-Marine Communities (3)
BIOL 380-Comparative Animal Behavior (3)              BIOL 390-Terrestrial Plant Ecology (3)
BIOL 386-Terrestrial Ecology (3)                                             BIOL 390L-Terrestrial Plant Ecology Lab (1)
BIOL 387-Ecological Process in Aquatic Systems (4)                      BIOL 502*-Population Genetics (3)
                                                                                                                                BIOL 540*-Molecular Methods in Ecology & Evolution (3)
*If not taken as a supporting course

B.  UPPER-DIVISION SCIENCE ELECTIVES (7-9)  CHOSEN WITH CONSENT OF ADVISOR FROM BIOLOGY COURSES NUMBERED 355 TO 599.  WITH CONSENT OF ADVISOR MAY INCLUDE ONE UPPER-DIVISION CHEMISTRY COURSE.

MOLECULAR CELL AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
•UPPER-DIVISION CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (36 UNITS)
BIOL 351-Molecular Cell Biology   5
BIOL 352-Genetics     4
BIOL 353-Comparative Animal Physiology   4
BIOL 354-Principles of Ecology    4

•UPPER-DIVISION BIOLOGY ELECTIVES: MINIMUM OF 19 UNITS REQUIRED.
Units in sections A + B below should total a minimum of 19 units.
A.  CHOICE OF THREE (3) COURSES (10-12 UNITS): AT LEAST ONE MUST HAVE A LAB.
   
BIOL 367-Biology of Microorganisms (4)   BIOL 376-Neurobiology (3)
BIOL 368 and 368L-Developmental Biology + Lab (4)  BIOL 377-Immunology (3)
BIOL 370-Plant Physiology & Biochemistry (4)  BIOL 504* -Virology (3)
BIOL 374-Exercise Physiology& Bioenergetics (3)  BIOL 520* -Advanced Molecular Cell (3)
BIOL 375-Endocrinology (3)    *with consent of advisor
B.  UPPER-DIVISION SCIENCE ELECTIVES (7-9)  CHOSEN WITH CONSENT OF ADVISOR FROM BIOLOGY COURSES NUMBERED 355 TO 599.  WITH CONSENT OF ADVISOR MAY INCLUDE ONE UPPER-DIVISION CHEMISTRY COURSE OR PSYC 461.

GENERAL CONCENTRATION
•UPPER-DIVISION CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (36 UNITS)
BIOL 351-Molecular Cell Biology   5
BIOL 352-Genetics     4
BIOL 353-Comparative Animal Physiology   4
BIOL 354-Principles of Ecology    4

•UPPER-DIVISION BIOLOGY ELECTIVES: MINIMUM OF 19 UNITS REQUIRED.
Units in sections A + B below should total a minimum of 19 units.
A.  CHOICE OF TWO (2) COURSES: ONE FROM LIST 1 AND ONE FROM LIST 2 (AT LEAST ONE MUST HAVE A LAB).
LIST 1
BIOL 367-Biology of Microorganisms (4)   BIOL 376-Neurobiology (3)
BIOL 368 and 368L-Developmental Biology + Lab (4)  BIOL 377-Immunology (3)
BIOL 370-Plant Physiology & Biochemistry (4)  BIOL 504* -Virology (3)
BIOL 374-Exercise Physiology& Bioenergetics (3)  BIOL 520* -Advanced Molecular Cell (3)
BIOL 375-Endocrinology (3) 
LIST 2
BIOL 387-Ecological Processes in Aquatic Systems (4)  BIOL 388-Marine Communities (3)
BIOL 379-Invertebrate Biology (4)   BIOL 390-Terrestrial Plant Ecology (3)
BIOL 380 & 380L-Comparative Animal Behavior +Lab (4) BIOL 502* -Population Genetics (3)
BIOL 385-Natural History of Southern California  BIOL 540* -Molecular Methods in Ecology & Evolution
BIOL 386-Terrestrial Ecology (3)    *If not taken as a supporting course 
B.  UPPER-DIVISION SCIENCE ELECTIVES (7-9)  CHOSEN WITH CONSENT OF ADVISOR FROM BIOLOGY COURSES NUMBERED 355 TO 599.  WITH CONSENT OF ADVISOR MAY INCLUDE ONE UPPER-DIVISION CHEMISTRY COURSE OR PSYC 461.