Program: B.S., Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Overview
The Cell and Molecular Option prepares students for graduate programs or careers as research associates in a variety of fields (e.g. medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural or biotechnology) in academic, governmental or industrial labs or a variety of similar settings.
Program Requirements
Each student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete the designated core program plus all required courses and the selective program of one of the options.
A. Core Requirements for All B.S. Options
1. Lower Division Courses (27 units)
BIOL 106/L Biological Principles I and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 107/L Biological Principles II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 101/L General Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 102/L General Chemistry II and Lab (4/1)
PHYS 100A General Physics I (3)
PHYS 100B General Physics II (3)
MATH 255A Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)
2. Upper Division Courses (9 units)
BIOL 322 Evolutionary Biology (3)
BIOL 360 Genetics (3)
BIOL 380 Cell Biology (3)
B. Cell and Molecular Biology Option Requirements
1. Required Courses (12 units)
BIOL 381 Cell Biology Lab (1)
CHEM 333/L Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 334/L Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
PHYS 100AL General Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS 100BL General Physics II Lab (1)
(MATH 255B is highly recommended.)
2. Selective Program (30 units)
Select courses from the Biochemistry, Cells and Tissue, Molecular Genetics and Elective sections below for a total of at least 30 units. A student must take at least 7 units of lab courses (designated with an “L”) within the Selective Program.
a. Biochemistry (3-8 units)
Choose from the following:
CHEM 464 Principles of Biochemistry (3) (lab may be taken for credit in Elective section)
or CHEM 461 and CHEM 462 Biochemistry I and II (8) (includes two lab units)
b. Cells and Tissues (6-8 units)
Choose two courses from the following:
BIOL 382/L Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 383/L Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 410/L Medical Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 411/L Animal Histology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 417/L Microbial Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 437/L/492V Biology of Fungi and Field Studies (2/1/1)
BIOL 441/L Embryology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 476 Topics in Stem Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 481/L Plant Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 482/L Animal Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 485/L Immunology with Serology Lab (2/2)
BIOL 487/L Hematology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 536 Medical Mycology (3)
BIOL 575/L Biological Imaging and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 577/L Cell and Tissue Culture and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 580/L Cellular Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 581 Endocrinology (3)
BIOL 582/L Principles of Neurophysiology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 585 Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis (3)
BIOL 589 Cellular Immunology (3)
c. Molecular Genetics (6-7 units)
Choose two courses from the following:
BIOL 408/L Applied Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 468 Human Genetics (3)
BIOL 470 Biotechnology (3)
BIOL 542/L Developmental Biology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 544 Biology of Viruses (3)
BIOL 561 The Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms (3)
BIOL 562 Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotic Organisms (3)
BIOL 563 Cytogenetics (3)
BIOL 564 Human Biochemical Genetics (3)
BIOL 566 Genetics of Bacteria and Their Viruses (3)
BIOL 567 Medical Genetics (3)
BIOL 568 Clinical Cytogenetics and Cancer Genetics (3)
BIOL 571 Molecular Diagnostics (3)
BIOL 572/L Recombinant DNA Techniques and Lab (2/2)
d. Electives
Select additional courses from the Biochemistry, Cells and Tissue and Molecular Genetics sections above, or from the courses listed below for a total of at least 30 units:
BIOL 315/L Principles of Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 330/L Design and Analysis of Experiments and Lab (2/1)
BIOL 435/L Parasitology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 447/L Full Immersion Research Experience (FIRE) and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 490, 495, 499, 526 (no more than 3 units combined)
BIOL 502 Biometry (3)
BIOL 502L Biometry Lab (1)
BIOL 503/L Bioinformatics and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 551/L Computer Modeling in Biology and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 464L Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
MATH 255B Calculus for the Life Sciences II (3)
C. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog. Basic Skills Mathematics and the entire Natural Sciences section are fulfilled by required courses in the major.
Total Units in Option I: 78
General Education Units: 36
Additional Units: 6
Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120
Contact
Chair: Larry Allen
Chaparral Hall (CR) 5101
(818) 677-3356
www.csun.edu/biology
Student Learning Outcomes
The Biology department has identified five learning outcomes to be achieved by its students as a result of completing one of its baccalaureate degree programs.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of (a) the structure and metabolism of cells, (b) the transmission and expression of genetic information and (c) the immediate and long-term (evolutionary) consequences of interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Students will demonstrate specialized knowledge in one or more disciplines of biology.
- Students will be aware of and/or capable of using new and existing methods and technologies in these disciplines.
- Students must demonstrate facility in applying the methods of scientific inquiry, including observation, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis.
- Students will have the ability to engage the biology literature and to communicate scientific information verbally and/or in writing.