This is an archive of the 2023-2024 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2023-2024 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2023-2024 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2023-2024

Program: B.S., Biology

Microbiology Option

Program Description

The Microbiology option prepares students for graduate programs or careers as research associates in a variety of fields (e.g., medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural or environmental biotechnology; medical device, cosmetic, food- and water-quality assurance) in academic, governmental, or industrial labs or in 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 Biological Principles I (3)
BIOL 106L Biological Principles I Lab (1)
BIOL 107 Biological Principles II (3)
BIOL 107L Biological Principles II Lab (1)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 101D Problem Solving in General Chemistry I (1)
CHEM 101L General Chemistry I Lab (1)
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 102D Problem Solving in General Chemistry II (1)
CHEM 102L General Chemistry II Lab (1)
MATH 255A Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)
PHYS 100A General Physics I (3)
PHYS 100B General Physics II (3)

2. Upper Division Courses (9 units)

BIOL 322 Evolutionary Biology (3)
BIOL 360 Genetics (3)
BIOL 380 Cell Biology (3)

B. Microbiology Option Requirements

1. Required Courses (23 units)

BIOL 315/L Principles of Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 417/L Microbial Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 467/L Bacterial Genetics and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 333/L Organic Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 333D Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry I (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 140 and MATH 255B are highly recommended.)

2. Selective Program (20 units)

Choose any courses from the following list or other courses with advisor approval.

BIOL 381 Cell Biology Lab (1)
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 408/L Applied Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 410/L Medical Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 418/L Bacterial Diversity and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 419/L/BIOL 492C Microbial Ecology and Lab/Field Studies (2/1/1)
BIOL 431/L Food Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 435/L Parasitology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 437/L/BIOL 492V Biology of Fungi and Lab/Field Studies (2/1/1)
BIOL 444 Biology of Viruses (3)
BIOL 461 The Molecular Genetics of Microorgansisms (3)
BIOL 466 Genetics of Bacteria and Their Viruses (3)
BIOL 470 Biotechnology (3)
BIOL 472/L Recombinant DNA Techniques and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 475/L Biological Imaging and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 476 Topics in Stem Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 477/L Cell and Tissue Culture and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 485/L Immunology with Serology Lab (2/2)
BIOL 487/L Hematology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 489 Cellular Immunology (3)
BIOL 490BIOL 495BIOL 499, BIOL 526 (no more than 3 units combined)
BIOL 493 Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis (3)
BIOL 551/L Computer Modeling in Biology and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 321/L Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 464/CHEM 464L Principles of Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)

Note that completion of CHEM 101/L, CHEM 102/L, CHEM 321/L, CHEM 333, CHEM 334 and CHEM 464 satisfies the course requirements for a minor in Chemistry; see Chemistry Department for evaluation.

C. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

12 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CHEM 101 satisfies B1 Physical Science; BIOL 106 satisfies B2 Life Science; BIOL 106L satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity; MATH 255A fulfills Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning; and BIOL 360 satisfies B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 79

General Education Units: 36

Additional Units: 5

Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120

Contact

Department of Biology
Chair: Cheryl Courtney-Hogue
Chaparral Hall (CR) 5101
(818) 677-3356

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and metabolism of cells, the transmission and expression of genetic information, and the immediate and long-term (evolutionary) consequences of interactions between organisms and their environment.
  2. Demonstrate specialized knowledge in one or more disciplines of biology.
  3. Be aware of and/or capable of using new and existing methods and technologies in these disciplines.
  4. Demonstrate facility in applying the methods of scientific inquiry, including observation, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis.
  5. Engage the biology literature and to communicate scientific information verbally and/or in writing.