This is an archive of the 2014-2015 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2014-2015 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Program: B.S., Biology

Biotechnology/Medical Technology

Overview

This option has two tracks. The Biotechnology track prepares students for graduate programs or careers in biotechnology or cellular and molecular biology in medical, industrial, agricultural or other applications. The Medical Technology track prepares students for the clinical year of training and the California License exam in Clinical Laboratory Science or for training and Certification in Public Health Microbiology. Students in either track should consult the appropriate faculty advisor.

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. Option Requirements

1. Required Courses for Both Biotechnology and Medical Technology (19 units)

PHYS 100AL General Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS 100BL General Physics II Lab (1)
BIOL 315/L Principles of Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 381 Cell Biology Lab (1)
CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 464/L Principles of Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)

2. Biotechnology Additional Required Courses (11 units)

BIOL 470 Biotechnology (3)
BIOL 572/L Recombinant DNA Techniques and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 577/L Cell and Tissue Culture and Lab (2/2)

3. Biotechnology Selective Program (6-8 units)

Choose two from the following list:

BIOL 330/L Design and Analysis of Experiments and Lab (2/1)
BIOL 408/L Applied Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 417/L Microbial Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 418/L Bacterial Diversity and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 419/L/492C Microbial Ecology and Lab and Field Studies (2/1/1)
BIOL 431/L Food Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 437/L/492V Biology of Fungi and Field Studies (2/1/1)*
BIOL 468 Human Genetics (3)
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 503/L Bioinformatics and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 542/L Developmental Biology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 544 Biology of Viruses (3)
BIOL 551/L Computer Modeling in Biology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 561 The Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms (3)
BIOL 562 Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotic Organisms (3)
BIOL 564 Human Biochemical Genetics (3)
BIOL 566 Genetics of Bacteria and Their Viruses (3)
BIOL 568 Clinical Cytogenetics and Cancer Genetics (3)
BIOL 571 Molecular Diagnostics (3)
BIOL 575/L Biological Imaging 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)
CHEM 321/L Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
Note that completion of CHEM 101/L, 102/L, 321/L, 333, 334 and 464 satisfies the course requirements for a minor in Chemistry; see Chemistry Department for evaluation.

4. Medical Technology Additional Required Courses (20 units)

BIOL 410/L Medical Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 435/L Parasitology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 485/L Immunology with Serology Lab (2/2)
BIOL 487/L Hematology and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 321/L Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
Note that completion of CHEM 101/L102/L321/L333334 and 464 satisfies the course requirements for a minor in Chemistry; see Chemistry Department for evaluation.

Note that the following courses are recommended but not required in the Medical Technology track: BIOL 536 Medical Mycology; BIOL 544 Biology of Viruses; BIOL 571 Molecular Diagnostics; BIOL 577 Cell and Tissue Culture; and BIOL 589 Cellular Immunology.

General Education (36 units)

Basic Skills Mathematics and the entire Natural Sciences section are fulfilled by required courses in the major.

Total Units in the Medical Technology Track: 76

General Education Units: 36

Additional Units: 8

Total Units Required for a 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.

  1. 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.
  2. Students will demonstrate specialized knowledge in one or more disciplines of biology.
  3. Students will be aware of and/or capable of using new and existing methods and technologies in these disciplines.
  4. Students must demonstrate facility in applying the methods of scientific inquiry, including observation, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis.
  5. Students will have the ability to engage the biology literature and to communicate scientific information verbally and/or in writing.