Courses
ASTR 152. Elementary Astronomy (3)
Introduction to astronomy. Topics to be covered include the historical development of astronomy; the laws that govern the behavior of the universe; a survey of the properties of stars and galaxies, including their origin and evolution; and the Big Bang Theory. (Students using this course to satisfy the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course ASTR 154L.)
ASTR 154L. Observational Astronomy (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: ASTR 152. Introduction to the techniques of observational astronomy, including data acquisition and interpretation. Testing of astronomical hypotheses by using data from observations of the moon, planets, sun, stars and galaxies. 3 hours per week. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in General Education, Natural Sciences provided ASTR 152 has been completed.)
ASTR 301. The Dynamical Universe (3)
Preparatory: MATH 150B; PHYS 220A or PHYS 225; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Applications of Newtonian and relativistic dynamics to astrophysical systems. Planetary and satellite motion, planetary rings, binary and multiple star systems, clusters of stars, dynamics of spiral and elliptical galaxies, missing mass of galaxy clusters, relativistic orbits (Mercury and the binary pulsar), black holes and the dynamical fate of the universe.
ASTR 352. Current Developments in Astronomy (3)
Preparatory: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. In-depth examination and interpretation of astronomical discoveries occurring at the time the course is taught. Reading includes both background material and current periodicals accessible to upper division, General Education students. Likely areas of discussion include spacecraft exploration of the solar system, satellite observations of high-energy radiation from space, exotic astronomical objects (e.g., double quasars, black hole candidates), and new cosmological data. (Students using this course to satisfy the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course ASTR 352L.) (IC)
ASTR 352L. Current Developments in Astronomy Lab (1)
Preparatory: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: ASTR 352. Use of observational and laboratory facilities and published data to explore current developments in astronomy. 3 hours per week. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences, General Education provided ASTR 352 also is completed.) (IC)
ASTR 401. The Radiative Universe (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 227. Application of the laws of radiation, atomic structure and subatomic structure to astrophysical systems. Cosmic magnetic fields, energy sources, analysis of radiation from stars, nebulae, supernovae, active galaxies and quasars, the early universe and origin of the elements.
ASTR 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
No course description.
BIOL 100. Introductory Biology (3)
Not for credit in Biology major. May not be taken for credit by students who have completed BIOL 101, BIOL 102, BIOL 106 or BIOL 107. Analysis of selected topics illustrating major biological concepts, including ecology, evolution, heredity and organismal and cellular structure and physiology. Primarily designed for non-science majors. Lecture 3 hours. (Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement in General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing BIOL 100L.)
BIOL 100L. Introductory Biology Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite: BIOL 100. Not for credit in Biology major. Observations, experiments, demonstrations and required field trips to augment Introductory Biology. Emphasis on the methods of science, basic biological principles, the natural environment and the effects of human activity on the environment. Lab 3 hours. (May be used to satisfy the Natural Sciences lab requirement in General Education provided BIOL 100 is also completed.)
BIOL 101/L. General Biology and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: BIOL 101L. Not for credit in Biology major and may not be taken for credit by students who have completed BIOL 106 or BIOL 107. Analysis of selected topics illustrating major concepts in biology, including evolution, environmental relationships, heredity, the cell, energetics and functions of living systems, and development. Available for General Education, Natural Sciences, if required in the major. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences if required by student’s major.)
BIOL 102/L. Biological Concepts and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: For Liberal Studies majors only or instructor consent. Corequisite: BIOL 102L. Not open for credit in the Biology major or for students who have already completed BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 106 or BIOL 107. Analysis of selected topics illustrating major biological concepts, including ecology, evolution, heredity, organismal and cellular structure, presented in the context of the Science Content Standards for California Public Schools. Some sections of this course may offer a community service opportunity with activities relating to concepts and theories presented. Check the schedule of classes for the CS designation. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 106/L. Biological Principles I and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: BIOL 106L. Primarily for Biology majors. Half of a two-semester sequence that includes BIOL 107/L. Selected topics illustrating major concepts in biology, including the scientific process, heredity, evolution, taxonomy and systematics, ecology and animal behavior. Observations, experiments and demonstrations. Emphasis on unifying biological concepts and methods in science. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences, if required in a student’s major.) Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 107/L. Biological Principles II and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: BIOL 107L. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 102/L. Half of a two-semester sequence that includes BIOL 106/L. Selected topics illustrating major concepts in biology, including biological chemistry, cells, molecular genetics, animal development and plant and animal physiology. Observations, experiments and demonstrations. Emphasis on unifying biological concepts and methods in science. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences, if required in a student’s major.) Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 211. Human Anatomy (2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L or BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L. Corequisite: BIOL 212. Not for credit in Biology major. Survey of the gross anatomy and histology of the major human organ systems, including the muscle, skeletal, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Lecture 2 hours.
BIOL 212. Laboratory Studies in Human Anatomy (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L or BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L. Corequisite: BIOL 211. Not for credit in Biology major. Examination of the anatomy and histology of the major organ systems by dissection and microscopic study. Lab 3 hours.
BIOL 215/L. Introductory Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L or BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L; CHEM 102/L or CHEM 104. Corequisite: BIOL 215L. Preparatory: BIOL 281 or CHEM 235. Introduction to the biology of major groups of microorganisms, including their role in infectious diseases, their role in nature and their relationship to humankind. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 241. Human Pregnancy and Embryology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100 or BIOL 101/L or BIOL 102/L or BIOL 106/L or BIOL 107/L. Available for Biology minor credit but not for Biology major. Description of biological events leading up to ovulation, emission, conception, implantation and pregnancy, and the resulting stages of human development, including placenta development and birth, with a discussion of biological aspects of genetic counseling, birth defects, miscarriage and abortion. Lecture 3 hours. (Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement in General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing BIOL 241L.)
BIOL 241L. Human Pregnancy and Embryology Lab (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100/L or BIOL 101/L or BIOL 102/L or BIOL 106/L or BIOL 107/L. Recommended Corequisite: BIOL 241. Not for credit in Biology major. Observation of slides, preserved specimens and plastic models demonstrating male and female gamete production; changes of uterus and ovary during menstrual cycle and pregnancy; normal and abnormal human chromosomes; human blood groups leading to problem pregnancies; pregnancy tests; human development with emphasis on nervous system, eyes, heart, skeleton, external genitalia and internal sex organs. Lab 3 hours. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided BIOL 241 is also completed.)
BIOL 247L. Introduction to Molecular Biology Research Lab (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; CHEM 101. Introduction to theory and techniques used in molecular biology research. Students learn through hands-on experience in the laboratory the experimental design, technical mechanisms, and interpretation of commonly used molecular biology experiments including: issues of laboratory safety, using bioinformatics in research, isolation and manipulation of DNA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning, transformation of bacteria, growth and selection of bacteria, and sequencing. Lab 9 hours.
BIOL 281. Human Physiology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L passed with grades of “C” or better, or both BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L each passed with grades of “C” or better. Survey of the physiology of nerve and muscle, as well as the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 282. Lab Experiments in Human Physiology (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L passed with grades of “C” or better, or both BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L each passed with grades of “C” or better. Recommended Corequisite: BIOL 281. Selected lab experiments in human physiology. Lab 3 hours.
BIOL 285. Biology of Cancer (2)
Not for credit in Biology major. Study of the disease of cancer from a biological viewpoint, emphasizing the cellular, biochemical and environmental aspects of the disease with discussion on the types of cancer, their diagnosis and treatment. Lecture 2 hours. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.)
BIOL 299A-C. Introduction to Biological Research (1-3)
Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Not for credit in Biology major. Introduction to original biological literature and the use of the scientific method in investigating biological problems. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students take part in individual lab or field studies, including the reading and discussion of the literature pertinent to the study. May be repeated, but no more than 3 units may be counted toward degree requirements. (Credit/No Credit only)
BIOL 312/L. Vertebrate Biology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L or BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisites: BIOL 312L, BIOL 392F. Introduction to the biology of vertebrates, including aspects of their evolution, ecology, life history and behavior. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 313/L. Invertebrate Zoology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisites: BIOL 313L, BIOL 392B. Biology and classification of the invertebrate animals, with emphasis on marine forms. Evolutionary and adaptive implications of form and function will be considered. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 315/L. Principles of Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L, BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; CHEM 102/L. Corequisite: BIOL 315L. Preparatory: CHEM 333. Credit will not be allowed for both BIOL 215 and BIOL 315. Introduction to the biology of microorganisms with emphasis on the bacteria. General course designed for Biology majors and students who wish to pursue further study in microbiology or bacteriology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 316/L. Plant Biology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 101/L or BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 316L. Survey course covering those aspects of cytology, physiology, systematics, anatomy, morphology and ecology unique to plants. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 322. Evolutionary Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Introduction to the mechanisms of evolution, drawing heavily on relevant principles in ecology, population genetics and systematics. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 323. Plants and Animals of Southern California (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Corequisite: BIOL 392E. For non-science majors to acquaint them with the classification, behavior, ecology and distribution of the more important plants and animals of Southern California. Lecture 3 hours. (Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in Natural Sciences will satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing BIOL 392E.)
BIOL 325/L. Life in the Sea and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Not for credit in Biology major. From the shore to the depths, analysis of the diversity of life in the world’s oceans with emphasis on the Southern California biota. (Lecture and lab available for General Education, Natural Sciences.) (IC)
BIOL 327. Ecology and People (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Our influence on the environment and the influence of the environment on us. Lecture 3 hours. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.) (IC)
BIOL 330/L. Design and Analysis of Experiments and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L, BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; One of the following: MATH 105, MATH 140 or MATH 255A. Corequisite: BIOL 330L. Structuring biological experiments to maximize useful results and presenting the results graphically and quantitatively. Although emphasis is placed on data collected during ecological field trips, other kinds of biological experiments are also analyzed. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 347L. Introduction to Cell and Stem Cell Culture Lab (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 247L and BIOL 375. Introduction to theory and techniques used in cell and stem cell culture research. Students learn through hands-on experience in the laboratory the experimental design, technical mechanisms, and interpretation of commonly used techniques in cell culture including: issues of laboratory safety, aseptic technique, media choice and preparation, cell cryoretrieval, cell viability, cell dilution, and passsaging, cell counts and/or confluency evaluation, growth curves, cryopreservation of adherent and suspension cell lines, and culture of several stem cell lines using feeder-free technology. Lab 9 hours.
BIOL 360. Genetics (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; CHEM 101/L or CHEM 103/L; MATH 105 or (MATH 102 and MATH 104) or equivalent pre-calculus preparation; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Role of genes in heredity, development, cellular metabolism and function of organisms; introduction of cytogenetics, genomics and molecular genetics; genetic basis of human disease, including cancer. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 362/L. Genetics and Society and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100/L or BIOL 101/L or BIOL 102/L or BIOL 106/L or BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Corequisite: BIOL 362L. Introduction to current topics in genetics and their impact on society and life, in language that is non-technical. Learn about the application of genetics to agriculture, environment, human health and medicine. Understand issues pertaining to genetic engineering, cloning, gene therapy, stem cells etc. Not for credit in Biology major. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. (Lecture and Lab available for General Education, Natural Sciences.) (IC)
BIOL 375. Emerging Issues in Regenerative Medicine (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Basic concepts, experimental approaches and the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells, human adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine will be discussed in this course. The politics and ethics of this emerging field of medicine and how these will affect you will be a major component of this course. This course emphasizes active student participation. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.) (IC)
BIOL 380. Cell Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; CHEM 102/L or CHEM 104. Preparatory: CHEM 235 or CHEM 333. Study of the organization of cells with emphasis on structure, chemical composition, bioenergetics, metabolism, regulation of the metabolism, cell differentiation and special cell functions. (BIOL 381 is required of Biology majors in B.S. Options I and IV.) Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 381. Cell Biology Lab (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; CHEM 102/L or CHEM 104. Preparatory: CHEM 235 or CHEM 333. Recommended Corequisite: BIOL 380. Basic lab techniques in cell biology, including calorimetry and spectrophotometry, centrifugation, enzymological assays, respirometry, cell counting and molecular methods. Lab 3 hours. (Required of Biology majors in B.S. Options I and IV.)
BIOL 382/L. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. A consideration of the structure and workings of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems, with special reference to humans. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 383/L. Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 382/L. A consideration of the structure and workings of the cardiovascular, renal, reproductive, endocrine and immune systems, with special reference to humans. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 392B-F. Field Studies in Biology (1)
3 hours per week or equivalent. Course Fee.
Course | Title | Corequisite |
BIOL 392B | Invertebrate Zoology | BIOL 313/L |
BIOL 392E | Plants and Animals of Southern California | BIOL 323 |
BIOL 392F | Vertebrate Zoology | BIOL 312/L |
BIOL 404/L. Phycology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 404L, BIOL 492Y. Preparatory: BIOL 322. Study of the algae with emphasis on their systematics, morphology, physiology and ecology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 406/L. Flowering Plant Systematics and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisites: BIOL 406L, BIOL 492K. Classification, identification and evolutionary relationships of flowering plants. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 407/L. Plant Ecology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L; BIOL 107/L. All prerequisite courses must be passed with grades of “C” or better; BIOL 322. Corequisites: BIOL 407L, BIOL 492N. Examination of plants and their habitats from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Concepts of adaptation, species diversity and biological change over time are stressed. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 408/L. Applied Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 101/L or BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; BIOL 215/L or BIOL 315/L. Corequisite: BIOL 408L. Examination of the role of microbes and their control in the production and deterioration of foods, in industry, in agriculture, in waste disposal and in the production of energy. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 409/L. Non-Flowering Plants and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisites: BIOL 409L, BIOL 492J. The diversity of land plants other than angiosperms (mosses, ferns, conifers, etc.): their phylogeny, life cycles, ecological niches, biogeography, identification and comparative biology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 410/L. Medical Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 315 and BIOL 380 passed with grades of “C” or better; BIOL 315L; CHEM 101/L or CHEM 103/L; MATH 105 or (MATH 102+104) or MPT2A; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Corequisite: BIOL 410L. Study of microbial pathogens with emphasis on bacterial mechanisms of pathogenicity, diagnosis, chemotherapy and host interaction. Available for graduate credit. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 411/L. Animal Histology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 411L. Preparatory: CHEM 334. Microscopical and histochemical analysis of mammalian cells as organized into tissue and organ systems. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 412/L. Herpetology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 412L, BIOL 492E. Biology, ecology and evolution of amphibians and reptiles. Adaptive significance of form and function is stressed. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 413/L. Entomology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107L passed with grades of “C” or better; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 413L, BIOL 492AA. Biology and classification of insects with emphasis on phylogeny and on adaptive implications of morphology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 414/L. Avian Ecology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 414L, BIOL 492A. Consideration of the interactions between birds and their environment, including such topics as habitat requirements, resource utilization, species interactions, territoriality and reproduction. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 415/L. Mammalogy and Lab (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322. Corequisite: BIOL 492M. Classification, ethology and ecology of mammals. Adaptive and evolutionary significance of form and function are considered. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 417/L. Microbial Physiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 215/L or BIOL 315/L. Corequisite: BIOL 417L. Preparatory: CHEM 333; BIOL 380. Metabolism and special physiology of microbial forms of life, with special emphasis on the bacteria. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 418/L. Bacterial Diversity and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 315/L. Corequisite: BIOL 418L. Analysis of evolution, diversity and relationships among the bacteria, as illustrated by a detailed study of the more specialized groups of bacteria with regard to cell form, habitat and developmental abilities. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 419/L. Microbial Ecology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 315/L. Corequisites: BIOL 419L, BIOL 492C. Examination of the natural distribution of bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa in the biosphere and a study of the physical, chemical and biological factors that govern their distribution. Inquiry into the role of microbes as they interact directly and indirectly with higher organisms in the ecosystem. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 421/L. Marine Biology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisites: BIOL 421L, BIOL 492B. Preparatory: BIOL 322. Marine life of the world with special emphasis on the shore and shallow sea. Identification, distribution, physiological and morphological adaptation of marine forms. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 422/L. Physiological Ecology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 422L. Preparatory: BIOL 322. Study of physiological, morphological and behavioral responses of organisms to physical environmental factors such as temperature, light and water salinity. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 423. Field Ecology (2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 492F. Techniques used in studying population dynamics, the development and functioning of biological communities and the interaction among organisms in the natural environment. Lecture 2 hours.
BIOL 425. Animal Behavior (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Recommended Corequisite: BIOL 492D. Ecology, genetics and evolution of behavior in vertebrates and invertebrates with emphasis on organisms in their natural environment. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 426/L. Biology of Deserts and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L; BIOL 107/L. All prerequisite courses must be passed with grades of “C” or better; BIOL 322. Corequisites: BIOL 426L, BIOL 492P. Study of life in deserts with emphasis on the organisms of the deserts of Southwestern U.S.; structural, physiological and behavioral adaptations for survival; identification and ecology of desert organisms; techniques for studying desert ecology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 427/L. Principles of Ecology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322. Corequisites: BIOL 427L, BIOL 492H. Lectures summarize the major concepts and controversies of ecology. Discussions and activities focus on case studies from the classic and recent original literature. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 427A/AL. Biology of Pelagic Organisms and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 427AL, BIOL 492L. Survey of organisms occupying the open ocean environment; ecological, morphological and physiological adaptations of selected groups; population dynamics, community structure and fisheries biology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 428/L. Wildlife Ecology and Management and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L; BIOL 107/L. All prerequisite courses must be passed with grades of “C” or better; BIOL 322. Corequisites: BIOL 428L, BIOL 492W. Recommended Preparatory: BIOL 330/L. Study and application of ecological principles used in the management of wildlife. Practical examination of management techniques and tools used in monitoring and managing wildlife populations, include censusing techniques, measurement and analysis of vital rates, and population modeling techniques. Course is computationally and writing intensive. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 429/L. Marine Ecology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 429L, BIOL 492I. Marine community structure and dynamics. Study of the open seas, rocky and sandy shores, and bays are used to illustrate the basic features of marine communities. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 430/L. Ichthyology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 430L, BIOL 492BB. Biology, ecology and evolution of fish. Emphasis placed on adaptive significance of form and function. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 431/L. Food Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 215/L, BIOL 315/L or equivalent. Corequisite: BIOL 431L. The biology, ecology and physiology of microorganisms associated with food and beverage production, preservation, spoilage, food borne illness and contamination control. Procedures and techniques for isolation, detection, identification and enumeration of food microorganisms. Methods and principles for controlling microbial contamination and preventing growth of undesirable microorganisms in raw and processed food. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 432/L. Comparative Anatomy and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 432L. Evolution of vertebrate structure. Comparative morphology and function of vertebrate systems. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 433/L. Biology of Marine Tetrapods and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 433L. Recommended Preparatory: BIOL 322. Several groups of reptiles, birds and mammals exhibit many specializations for living in the marine realm. These animals are secondarily adapted to the marine environment, having evolved from terrestrial ancestors. This course will explore the evolution, diversity, ecology and morphological and physiological adaptations of these animals. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 434/L. Ecology of Marine Fishes and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 430/L, BIOL 492BB. Corequisites: BIOL 434L, BIOL 492Q. Species assemblages, general ecology, adaptations and behavioral ecology of near shore marine fishes. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 435/L. Parasitology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 106/L and BIOL 107/L passed with grades of “C” or better. Corequisite: BIOL 435L. Study of the biology of parasites and other symbionts. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 437/L. Biology of Fungi and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 315/L; BIOL 380; CHEM 333. Corequisites: BIOL 437L; BIOL 492V. Recommended Preparatory: BIOL 407/L; BIOL 492N. A survey of the diversity of fungi, their phylogeny, genetics, structure, life cycles, habitats, mutualisms, pathogenesis and laboratory identification. Field trips are conducted to collect macroscopic and microscopic fungi as well as mutualistic and non-human pathogenic microscopic fungi. Macroscopic fungi from field trips are identified in the teaching lab using standard manuals while microfungi are stained and characterized microscopically; reference cultures will be used when natural isolates are unavailable. Samples will be grown and observed for culture characteristics, biochemistry and morphology. In the laboratory section, students will perform basic genetics and physiology experiments using yeast and bioluminescent fungi as model organisms. This course may be taken for graduate credit. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 438/L. Tropical Botany and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: Students taking this course must also be enrolled in other linked courses that are part of the Tropical Biology semester (BIOL 439/L, BIOL 446/L, BIOL 448, BIOL 449 as offered). Preparatory: BIOL 312, BIOL 316, BIOL 330, BIOL 427. Intensive, hands-on immersion into the biology of tropical plants, including tropical plant anatomy, architecture, morphology, biochemistry, reproduction, systematics and evolution. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 439/L. Tropical Ecology and Conservation and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: Students taking this course must also be enrolled in other linked courses that are part of the Tropical Biology semester (BIOL 438/L, BIOL 446/L, BIOL 448, BIOL 449 as offered). Preparatory: BIOL 312, BIOL 316, BIOL 330, BIOL 427. Intensive, hands-on immersion in the ecology and conservation of tropical organisms and ecosystems. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 441/L. Embryology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360 or BIOL 380. Corequisite: BIOL 441L. Cellular, physiological and anatomical aspects of embryonic development with emphasis on vertebrates. Mechanisms of morphogenesis and differentiation. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 442/L. Developmental Biology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360 and BIOL 380; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 442L. The mechanisms of cell and organ differentiation in animals (e.g., Caenorhabditis) and plants (e.g., Arabidopsis). The majority of topics involve working with mutants and wildtypes on the relationship between genetics and phenotypes. Some lab projects will use RNA-interference technologies. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 444. Biology of Viruses (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360 and BIOL 380; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Comparative survey of the structure, gene expression and replication of viruses. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 446/L. Biology of Tropical Vertebrates and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: Students taking this course must also be enrolled in other linked courses that are part of the Tropical Biology semester (BIOL 438/L, BIOL 439/L, BIOL 448, BIOL 449 as offered). Preparatory: BIOL 312, BIOL 316, BIOL 330, BIOL 427. Intensive, hands-on immersion into the biology of tropical vertebrates, including morphology, behavior, ecology, systematics and evolution. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 447/L. Full Immersion Research Experience (FIRE) and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380; CHEM 333, 334; PHYS 100A, PHYS 100B. Corequisite: BIOL 447L. Innovative undergraduate experience in creativity that invites participants to engage scientific research in its fullness as co-learners. Student-initiated ideas ascend through a system of collaborative and independent strategies involving peer review, recitation, tutorials, experimental work and oral and written communication. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 448. Tropical Biodiversity (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: Students taking this course must also be enrolled in other linked courses that are part of the Tropical Biology semester (BIOL 438/L, BIOL 439/L, BIOL 446/L, BIOL 449 as offered). Preparatory: BIOL 312, BIOL 316, BIOL 330, BIOL 427. Examination of the generation and maintenance of biodiversity, with particular reference to tropical groups of organisms. Lectures, discussions and intensive hands on field experience. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 449. Seminar on Topics in Tropical Biology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322. Corequisites: Students taking this course must also be enrolled in other linked courses that are part of the Tropical Biology semester (BIOL 438/L, BIOL 439/L, BIOL 446/L, BIOL 448 as offered). Preparatory: BIOL 312, BIOL 316, BIOL 330, BIOL 427. Seminar addressing topics in tropical biology in the context of physical science, culture and politics.
BIOL 451. Tropical Biology (3)
Prerequisites: Biology major, BIOL 322 or equivalent; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Preparatory: At least one course that deals with the evolution and ecology of a major group of organisms. Examination of life functions and biotic interactions under conditions occurring in low latitude environments. Emphasis on characteristics and evolution of tropical biotas and their significance in relation to the total biosphere. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 452/L. Molecular Markers in Evolutionary Studies and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 322 and BIOL 360; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 452L. The use of molecular data in ecology and evolutionary biology. Material will cover techniques and applications of molecular data in conservation, behavior, ecology, population biology, evolution and systematics. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 453/L. Behavioral Ecology and Lab (2/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisites: BIOL 453L, BIOL 492Z. Study of the interactions between individuals and the environment. Emphasis placed on the behavioral adaptations of animals. Lecture 2 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 456. Conservation Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 322 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 492O. Application of ecological and evolutionary principles to problems in environmental biology. Factors affecting biodiversity and causes of species extinction receive particular attention. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 461. The Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360, BIOL 380; CHEM 333; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Discussion of the molecular structure of the gene, the chemistry of gene action, mutagenic agents and genetic control mechanisms in microorganisms. Emphasis placed on experimental basis for current concepts in molecular genetics. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 462. Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotic Organisms (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360, BIOL 380; CHEM 333, CHEM 334; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Examination of the structure and function of chromatin, the structure of DNA and its associated proteins in chromosomes, replication of DNA and chromatin, transcription, RNA processing, recombination and the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 464. Human Biochemical Genetics (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360; CHEM 461 and CHEM 462, or CHEM 365; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Focus on different sources of human biochemical defects, the detection of such disorders and their treatment. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 466. Genetics of Bacteria and Their Viruses (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 315/L and BIOL 360; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Study of the genetic systems found in bacteria, including transformation, conjugation and transduction. Viral replication, recombination and interaction with their bacterial hosts are investigated from a genetic perspective. Transposable elements, plasmids and other selected topics of current interest in this field are explored. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 467/L. Bacterial Genetics and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 315/L. Corequisite: BIOL 467L. Recommended Preparatory: BIOL 380; CHEM 333. A survey of the genetic systems found in bacteria and their viruses including, transformation, conjugation, transduction, mutant isolation, complementation, plasmids, transposons, gene expression and regulation. Viral replication, recombination and interaction with their bacterial hosts are investigated from a genetic perspective. The laboratory consists of bacterial genetic experiments to reinforce understanding of the lecture material utilizing semester-long projects involving current research of the faculty. This course may be taken for graduate credit. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 468. Human Genetics (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360; MATH 105 or MATH 140 or score on Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) sufficient for admission to MATH 255A. Study of variation and heredity in humans. Includes immunogenetics, polygenic inheritance and population genetics, as well as abnormalities of chromosomes and metabolism and their consequences. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 469. Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360; MATH 105 or MATH 140 or a score on the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) sufficient for admission to MATH 255A; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Survey of principles and applications in molecular research and clinical chemistry. Topics include analytical techniques and instrumentation in the detection of biological molecules, and pathophysiology. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 470. Biotechnology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: BIOL 380. Application of organisms, biological systems and processes to manufacturing and service industries. Role of microorganisms in industrial, agricultural and pharmaceutical processes, biologically produced sources of energy, single cell protein, waste management, mining and other areas. Impact of genetic engineering; enzyme biotechnology; recent advances in the genetics and physiology of industrial microorganisms for strain improvement. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 471A. Molecular Diagnostics (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360; MATH 105 or MATH 140 or score on the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) sufficient for admission to MATH 225A; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Survey of current techniques, applications and goals of molecular genetics research, including cloning strategies and techniques, genetic engineering techniques, progress in the Human Genome Project and related work, gene therapy and ethical ramifications. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 472/L. Recombinant DNA Techniques and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360 and CHEM 102/L; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 472L. Preparatory: BIOL 380. Handling and processing of recombinant DNA, including DNA isolation, use of restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis, ligation, cloning, blots, hybridization and associated microbiological techniques. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 473. Clinical Cytogenetics and Cancer Genetics (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 468. Examination of the cytogenetics of human cancers and of hereditary predisposition to cancer, including rare and common familial cancer syndromes, risk assessment and surveillance, epidemiology and current research, ethics and genetic counseling in genetic risk assessment for cancer. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 475/L. Biological Imaging and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 475L. Theoretical and practical aspects of imaging as applied to cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology and histology. Covers transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy, including confocal microscopy, as well as MRI, PET and CAT scanning. Computer image processing and analysis, and the use of ultramicrotomy, fluorescent labels and immunochemistry to study macromolecules, cells and tissues will also be studied. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 476. Topics in Stem Cell Research (3-3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360, BIOL 380. Student analyses of novel biological research methods associated with emerging stem cell technologies. Topics will include all types of stem cells and development of each, a detailed examination of relevant human stem cell techniques, including both basic research and translational/clinical research methods. Not available for graduate credit. May be repeated once for credit.
BIOL 477/L. Cell and Tissue Culture and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 477L. Preparatory: BIOL 315/L. Theoretical and practical studies of animal and plant cell cultures. Techniques for primary and continuous cultures and the production of hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies are covered. Other topics include cell culture storage, karyotyping, somatic embryogenesis, cytodifferentiation and application of cell cultures in solving biological problems. Lectures and labs are highly integrated. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 479. Endocrinology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Preparatory: BIOL 281 or BIOL 482. A comprehensive study of the organization and function of the major endocrine organs. Lectures will focus on the hormonal control mechanisms that regulate metabolism, reproduction, development and growth. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 480/L. Cellular Physiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380 and CHEM 334; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Corequisite: BIOL 480L. In-depth consideration of cellular physicochemistry, including organellar structure, composition and function, macromolecular biosynthesis, metabolism, membrane transport and bioelectric phenomena. 8 class hours of integrated lecture and lab. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 481/L. Plant Physiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380; CHEM 334. Corequisite: BIOL 481L. Plant functions: photosynthesis, respiration, cell mechanics, growth and water relationships. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 482/L. Animal Physiology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Corequisite: BIOL 482L. Preparatory: PHYS 100A/AL; PHYS 100B/BL; CHEM 334. Examination of the processes and mechanisms by which organisms maintain themselves and interact with their environment. Adaptive significance of physiologic mechanisms is treated under certain topics. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 483/L. Principles of Neurophysiology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380 or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Preparatory: BIOL 480 or BIOL 482; CHEM 334; PHYS 100A, PHYS 100B. Recommended Corequisite: BIOL 483L. Examination of the structure, function and physiological principles of the nervous system. Surveys neuroanatomy, molecular neurobiology, sensory reception and relevant human neurological disorders. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 485/L. Immunology with Serology Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Corequisite: BIOL 485L. Preparatory: BIOL 381. Study of the immune response examining humoral and cellular immunity, the nature, structure and reactions of antigens and antibodies, mediators of immunity, hypersensitivity and immuno-hematology. The lab emphasizes the principles and uses of serological methods for evaluation of the immune response. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 487/L. Hematology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380; CHEM 334. Corequisite: BIOL 487L. Histological, biochemical and clinical diagnostic study of blood, blood cell formation, iron metabolism, blood pathology and practical lab technology. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 489. Cellular Immunology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 485. Advanced studies on the cellular interactions and mechanisms of the immune response, including clinical aspects of cell-mediated reactions and immunologic disorders. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 490. Tutorial Studies (1)
Prerequisite: With consent of instructor, open to senior Biology majors. Supervised individual projects involving reading and discussion, lab research or field studies in specific areas of biology. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 units. Does not carry graduate credit toward the M.S. degree in Biology.
BIOL 492A-Z. Field Studies in Biology (1-2)
The 400-level courses are available for graduate credit. Course fee.
One unit each, 3 hours per week or equivalent:
Course | Title | Corequisite |
BIOL 492A | Avian Ecology | BIOL 414/L |
BIOL 492B | Marine Biology | BIOL 421/L |
BIOL 492C | Microbial Ecology | BIOL 419/L |
BIOL 492D | Animal Behavior | BIOL 425 |
BIOL 492E | Herpetology | BIOL 412/L |
BIOL 492G | Ecological Modeling | BIOL 424/L |
BIOL 492H | Principles of Ecology | BIOL 427/L |
BIOL 492I | Marine Ecology | BIOL 429/L |
BIOL 492J | Non-flowering Plants | BIOL 409/L |
BIOL 492K | Flowering Plant Systematics | BIOL 406/L |
BIOL 492L | Pelagic Organisms | BIOL 427A/AL |
BIOL 492M | Mammalogy | BIOL 415/L |
BIOL 492N | Plant Ecology | BIOL 407/L |
BIOL 492O | Conservation Biology | BIOL 456 |
BIOL 492P | Deserts | BIOL 426/L |
BIOL 492Q | Ecology of Marine Fishes | BIOL 434/L |
BIOL 492U | Tropical Biodiversity | BIOL 448 |
BIOL 492V | Fungi | BIOL 437/L |
BIOL 492W | Wildlife Ecology and Management | BIOL 428/L |
BIOL 492Y | Phycology | BIOL 404/L |
BIOL 492Z | Behavioral Ecology | BIOL 453/L |
BIOL 492AA | Entomology | BIOL 413/L |
BIOL 492BB | Ichthyology | BIOL 430/L |
Two units each, 6 hours per week or equivalent:
Course | Title | Corequisite |
BIOL 492F | Field Ecology | BIOL 423 |
BIOL 492R | Tropical Botany | BIOL 438/L |
BIOL 492S | Tropical Ecology and Conservation | BIOL 439/L |
BIOL 492T | Tropical Vertebrates | BIOL 446/L |
BIOL 493. Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 315/L and BIOL 380; or enrollment in the Biology M.S. program. Preparatory: BIOL 410/L. Intensive study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, including the contribution of the host response, with emphasis on recent developments and comparative principles. Lecture 3 hours. Available for graduate credit.
BIOL 495A-E. Directed Undergraduate Research (3)
Designed for students of advanced rank and proven competence in Biology. Program of original research, culminating in a written report, to be carried out with one of the Biology faculty. May be repeated for credit but no more than 3 units may be applied to the elective section of options that allows its use.
Course | Title |
BIOL 495A | Microbiology |
BIOL 495B | Marine Biology |
BIOL 495C | Cellular/Molecular/Physiology |
BIOL 495D | Genetics/Developmental Biology |
BIOL 495E | Ecology and Evolution |
BIOL 496A-Z. Experimental Topics in Biology (2-4)
Special studies in Biology with topics to be determined.
BIOL 497EE. Supervised Off-Campus Experiential Education (1-6)
Not for graduate credit toward M.S. degree in Biology. Student work experiences that are planned, organized and evaluated by faculty in cooperation with organizations other than the University’s academic departments. No remuneration for this work may be received in addition to academic credit. Academic Internship course. (Credit/No Credit only)
BIOL 498. Senior Thesis (2)
Prerequisites: Senior standing in Biology; Consent of instructor. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: BIOL 330, BIOL 499. Student selects and does original research on a topic of current biological interest in consultation with a sponsoring faculty member. Results of this research are presented both orally and in a written report in scientific format.
BIOL 499. Independent Study (1-3)
Not for graduate credit toward M.S. degree in Biology. Maximum of 3 units of Independent Study may be applied to satisfy unit requirements of elective areas for the baccalaureate degree in Biology.
BIOL 502. Biometry (3)
Application of quantitative methods to variation patterns in biological systems, their analysis and interpretation. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 502L. Biometry Lab (1)
Corequisite: BIOL 502. Students have supervised time to work problem sets. Lab 3 hours.
BIOL 503/L. Bioinformatics and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360, BIOL 322. Corequisite: BIOL 503L. Bioinformatics tools (statistics and computer analysis) and their application to molecular data analysis. Lecture 3 hours, computer lab 3 hours.
BIOL 532/L. Advanced Ichthyology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 430/L; BIOL 492BB; Graduate standing. Corequisite: BIOL 532L. Advanced topics in ichthyology and fisheries biology. Advanced biosystematics of fishes; reproduction; age and growth; ecology, including feeding and community structure. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.
BIOL 551/L. Computer Modeling in Biology and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisites: BIOL 322, BIOL 360. Corequisite: BIOL 551L. Selected topics illustrating methods of computer modeling of biological systems. Students will be introduced in lecture and in computer laboratories to programming skills related to biological sciences and statistical analysis, including population genetics, cellular and molecular biology, physiological biology and ecology. Emphasis on understanding the role that computer modeling and analysis can play in research questions. Lecture 2 hours, lab 6 hours.
BIOL 595A-Z. Experimental Topics (1-3)
Experimental Topics
BIOL 615A-G. Seminar in Organismal and Population Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 691; One or more 400-level courses in the area of specialization; Graduate status. Advanced study, including student preparation and presentation of reports, in one of the following areas of biology:
Course | Title |
BIOL 615A | Systematics and Phylogeny |
BIOL 615B | Morphology |
BIOL 615C | Ecology |
BIOL 615D | Ethology |
BIOL 615E | Biogeography |
BIOL 615F | Evolution |
BIOL 615G | Tropical Biology |
BIOL 655A-J. Seminar in Cellular and Molecular Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 691; One or more 400-level courses in the area of specialization; Graduate status. Advanced study, including student preparation and presentation of reports, in one of the following areas of biology:
Course | Title |
BIOL 655A | Microbiology |
BIOL 655B | Cellular Biology |
BIOL 655C | Development |
BIOL 655D | Genetics |
BIOL 655E | Physiology |
BIOL 655F | Immunology |
BIOL 655G | Molecular Biology |
BIOL 655H | Biotechnology |
BIOL 655I | Molecular Evolution |
BIOL 655J | Medical Genetics |
BIOL 691. Graduate Proseminar (3)
Recommended to be taken early in the graduate program in preparation for further graduate coursework and the presentation of papers at professional meetings. Preparation and presentation of seminars based on current literature in biology.
BIOL 692. Biology Colloquium (1)
Guest lecturers (contemporary researchers) presenting talks on a variety of topics in biological research. Each presentation will be followed by discussion involving student participation. (Credit/No Credit only)
BIOL 695A-Z. Experimental Topics (1-3)
Experimental Topics
BIOL 696A-E. Directed Graduate Research (3)
Designed for M.S. students conducting thesis research. May be repeated for credit but no more than 6 units may be applied to the M.S. degree.
Course | Title |
BIOL 696A | Microbiology |
BIOL 696B | Marine Biology |
BIOL 696C | Cellular/Molecular/Physiology |
BIOL 696D | Genetics/Developmental |
BIOL 696E | Ecology and Evolution |
BIOL 698. Thesis (3)
Prerequisites: Classified status in Biology; Consent of instructor. Preparing and writing the master’s thesis. May be repeated for a maximum of 18 units.
BIOL 699. Independent Study (1-6)
Independent Study
CHEM 100. Principles of Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Examination or equivalent*, or satisfying the exemption requirements. One-semester preparatory course that focuses on developing problem-solving skills based on an introduction to the field of chemistry. Application of the scientific method, modern ideas concerning atomic and molecular structure, principles of compound formation, and chemical nomenclature and calculations involving scientific units are emphasized. Selected topics in applied chemistry and the application of chemical principles to life and environmental sciences are explored. Engineering and Science majors should consult with their advisors before enrolling in this course. Credit cannot be earned in both CHEM 100 and CHEM 103. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing CHEM 100L. 3 hours lecture per week.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
CHEM 100L. Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Examination or equivalent*, or satisfying the ELM exemption requirement. Corequisite: CHEM 100. Optional laboratory course to accompany CHEM 100 in which the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and basic laboratory techniques are presented. May be used to satisfy the laboratory requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided CHEM 100 is also completed. One 3-hour lab per week.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
CHEM 101/L. General Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
Prerequisite: Satisfactory score on the Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) or a grade of “C” or higher (“C-” is unacceptable) in CHEM 100 taken at CSUN only. Corequisite: CHEM 101L. Basic course in the fundamental principles and theories with special emphasis on chemical calculations. Includes a discussion of the kinetic molecular theory, atomic structures, the periodic table, solutions and oxidation-reduction. Recitation portion deals with problem solving, review of the lecture material and quizzes. Lab section emphasizes basic lab skills, quantitative relationships in chemistry and inorganic preparative procedures. Completion of CHEM 101/L satisfies General Education Natural Sciences, including the corresponding lab requirement. 3 hours lecture; 1 hour recitation per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 102/L. General Chemistry II and Lab (4/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 101/L with a minimum grade of “C-” in CHEM 101. Corequisite: CHEM 102L. Continuation of CHEM 101. Introduction to kinetics, gas phase and solution equilibria, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, radio, organic chemistry and the descriptive chemistry of the more familiar metals and nonmetals. Recitation portion deals with problem solving, review of the lecture material and quizzes. Lab section consists of experiments dealing with kinetics, acid-base and solubility equilibria, selected reactions of metals and nonmetals, and qualitative elemental analysis. Completion of CHEM 102/L satisfies General Education, Natural Sciences, including the corresponding lab requirement. 3 hours lecture; 1 hour recitation per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 103/L. Introductory Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Examination or equivalent*, or satisfying the ELM exemption requirements. Corequisite: CHEM 103L. Not open to engineering, biology or physical science majors. Designed to stress fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry, the structure of atoms and molecules, the periodic table, states of matter, chemical calculations involving stoichiometry and simple algebraic operations. Credit cannot be earned in both CHEM 100 and 103. Students can use this course to satisfy the General Education, Natural Sciences laboratory requirement. 3 hours lecture and one 3-hour lab per week.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
CHEM 104/L. Introductory Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 103/L. Corequisite: CHEM 104L. Not open to engineering, biology or physical science majors. Continuation of CHEM 103/L. Properties of solutions, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases. Chemistry of simple organic compounds and common elements. Students can use this course to satisfy the General Education, Natural Sciences laboratory requirement. 3 hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 110. Chemistry in Action (3)
One-semester course introducing chemistry and its relation to technological advances and their impact on our society and the environment. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing CHEM 110L. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 110L. Chemistry in Action Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 110 or CHEM 100. No credit for Science and Engineering majors. Laboratory exercises introduce the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and basic laboratory techniques. May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided CHEM 100 or 110 also is completed. One 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 235/L. Introductory Organic Chemistry and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 102/L or CHEM 104/L. Corequisite: CHEM 235L. A course describing simple aliphatic and aromatic compounds with an emphasis on the chemistry of functional groups. 3 hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab per week. No credit for Science and Engineering majors, except for certain options in Biology and Geology; consult your major department. This course does not substitute for CHEM 333.
CHEM 321/L. Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: CHEM 102/L. Corequisite: CHEM 321L. Emphasizes the principles of analytical reactions and the theory and applications of instruments to problems of chemical analysis. Principal topics include volumetric methods and instrumental techniques such as spectrophotometry, electro chemistry and chromatography. Lab: Introduction to the experimental methods of analytical chemistry based on the theory covered in CHEM 321. Emphasis on the development of careful and accurate lab technique. 2 hours lecture per week; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 333/L. Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 102/L with a minimum grade of “C-” in CHEM 102. Corequisite: CHEM 333L. The study of the structure and properties of organic molecules with special emphasis on functional groups and their reactions. Attention given to the mechanisms of organic reactions and the spectroscopic techniques used to determine the structure of organic molecules. Lab: An introduction to the techniques of synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds. 3 hours lecture, 1-hour discussion per week, and one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 334/L. Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 333/L with a minimum grade of “C-” in CHEM 333. Corequisite: CHEM 334L (all majors), CHEM 334R for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 334R for all other majors. Continuation of CHEM 333, with an emphasis on mechanisms of organic reactions and synthesis. Attention given to representative compounds of interest in biology and medicine. Lab: Exposure to reactions common in chemical synthesis, including arene substitution, transformations of carbonyl compounds, the Diels-Alder reaction and polymer synthesis. 3 hours lecture per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 334R. Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry II (1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 333/L. Corequisite: CHEM 334. Critical analysis of topics introduced in CHEM 334. Structured group work is used to develop essential analysis and problem-solving skills. 1 hour per week.
CHEM 351. Physical Chemistry I (4)
Prerequisites: CHEM 102/L; PHYS 220A or PHYS 225; MATH 150B or MATH 255B. Corequisite for Chemistry B.A. and B.S. majors: CHEM 351L. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 351L and MATH 250. Basic laws of thermodynamics, states and changes of state, solutions, equilibria, phase rule, kinetic molecular theory, chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. 4 hours lecture per week. (Offered Fall semester.)
CHEM 351L. Physical Chemistry I Lab (1)
Corequisite: CHEM 351. Laboratory course for CHEM 351. Introduction to the experimental methods of physical chemistry based on the concepts covered in CHEM 351. One 3-hour lab per week. (Offered Fall semester.)
CHEM 352. Physical Chemistry II (4)
Prerequisites: CHEM 321/L, CHEM 351; PHYS 220B or PHYS 226. Corequisite for Chemistry B.S. majors: CHEM 352L. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 352L; MATH 250 and MATH 280. Continuation of CHEM 351. Quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics and new developments and trends in physical chemistry. (Offered Spring semester.)
CHEM 352L. Physical Chemistry II Lab (1)
Corequisite: CHEM 352. Laboratory course for CHEM 352. Selected experiments illustrating some of the important concepts covered in CHEM 352. One 3-hour lab per week. (Offered Spring semester.)
CHEM 365/L. Introduction to Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 235/L or CHEM 333/L. Corequisite: CHEM 365L. A course designed for non-science majors, describing chemistry and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, hormones, etc. 3 hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab per week. No credit for Science or Engineering majors, except for certain options in Biology; consult your major department.
CHEM 401. Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 351. Principles of chemical bonding and molecular structure; survey of the chemistry of the elements of the periodic system. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 401L. Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1)
Corequisite: CHEM 401. Synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organometallic compounds. Synthetic techniques important to inorganic chemistry, such as electrochemical synthesis, autoclave reactions and inert atmosphere techniques, as well as inorganic spectroscopic techniques. One 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 411. Synthesis (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Preparation of inorganic and organic compounds and their identification, using advanced methods. 1 hour lecture; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 422/L. Chemical Analysis II and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: CHEM 321. Corequisite: CHEM 422L. Continuation of CHEM 321, with special emphasis on polarography and voltammetry, chromatography, spectrophotometric methods, mass spectrometry and radiochemical methods. 2 hours lecture per week; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 433. Organic Analysis (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Identification of organic compounds using advanced spectrometric techniques that include modern NMR methods. 1 hour lecture; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 451. Modern Physical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 352. Selected topics in modern physical chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure and spectra, the chemical bond, inter-molecular forces, interaction of matter with fields and the solid state. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 461/L. Biochemistry I and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 321/L, CHEM 334. Corequisites: CHEM 461L. The first part of a two-semester biochemistry lecture series designed for biochemistry majors that includes study of protein structure and function, enzyme mechanisms, biological membranes, carbohydrate metabolism, ATP generation and lipid metabolism. Lab includes experiments involving acid/base chemistry, peptide analysis, spectrophotometric analysis, protein isolation and characterization, and enzyme kinetics. 3 hours lecture per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 462/L. Biochemistry II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 461 or instructor consent. Corequisites: CHEM 462L. Continuation of CHEM 461, the second part of a two-semester biochemistry lecture series designed for biochemistry majors, including discussion of photosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, lipoproteins, metabolic interrelationships and regulation, information transfer and signal transduction. Lab includes experiments involving gel filtration, ATP biosynthesis, isolation and characterization of phospholipids, reactions of lipolytic enzymes, mitochondrial dehydrogenases, isolation of DNA, study of restriction enzymes and polymerase chain reaction. 3 hours lecture per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 464. Principles of Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Corequisite (for Chemistry majors and minors): CHEM 464L. Properties and metabolism of the constituents of biological systems. Mechanism of enzyme action, energy relations in biological systems. 3 hours lecture per week. Available for graduate credit.
CHEM 464L. Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Corequisite: CHEM 464. Recommended Preparatory: CHEM 321/L. Experiments involving acid/base chemistry, peptide structure, spectrophotometric analysis, biomolecule purification and enzymology designed to develop the ability to collect, analyze and report experimental biochemical information. One 3-hour lab per week. Available for graduate credit.
CHEM 465. Topics in Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 462 or instructor consent. Seminar in major recent developments in biochemistry. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 495A-C. Directed Undergraduate Research (1-3)
Prerequisite: One course beyond CHEM 102 in the area related to the research. Interested students should make arrangements with the department as soon as possible, preferably during the previous semester. For students of advanced rank and proven competence in chemistry. Program of original independent research, culminating in a written report, carried out under the direction of one of the Chemistry faculty. Upon prior approval by the department of a detailed research proposal, the research may be performed in industrial or medical labs. In such a case, the research report must be submitted to and evaluated by a designated member of the Chemistry faculty. May be repeated for credit. No credit toward M.S. degree.
CHEM 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under courses of study.
CHEM 500. Chemistry Teaching Assistant Workshop (1)
Prerequisite: Graduate student status. An instructional improvement workshop for graduate teaching assistants. Participants learn by presenting short videotaped lessons to the class and by receiving feedback on the basic skills demonstrated in the lesson. Participants are presented with a basic model for clear chemistry lab teaching and are taught effective feedback techniques. (Credit/No Credit only)
CHEM 502. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 401. Study of molecular structure of inorganic compounds; coordination chemistry; kinetics and mechanisms of inorganic reactions. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 522. Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 422/L or approval of the instructor. An advanced-level discussion of topics in analytical chemistry with particular emphasis on separation sciences and optical spectroscopy. Topics that will be discussed in detail are fluorescence, phosphorescence, phase and distribution equilibria, extraction techniques, electrophoresis and micro-fluid separation. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 531. Survey of Organic Reactions (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Detailed survey of the ranges of application and mechanisms of organic oxidations, reductions, additions, eliminations, condensations and degradations with specific reference to their applications to problems of synthesis and structure elucidation. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 534. Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 334, CHEM 352. Physical and physiochemical consideration of organic chemistry. Kinetics, configuration. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 541. Environmental Chemistry I (2)
Prerequisites: CHEM 422/L or instructor consent. Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 541L. Comprehensive survey of the Earth’s natural processes in atmosphere, water and soil, and the chemical aspects of the impact that human activities have produced in the natural environment. Also, topics such as energy resources, hazardous waste management/treatment and risk assessment are discussed. 2 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 541L. Environmental Chemistry I Lab (2)
Prerequisites: CHEM 422/L or instructor consent. Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 541. Application of chemical and instrumental methods for the identification and quantification of inorganic and organic contaminants present in water, soil and air samples using E.P.A.-approved methodologies and protocols. Two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 564. Bio-Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334, CHEM 464 or approval of advisor and instructor. Application of physical organic methods to solution of structural and mechanistic problems in biochemistry.
CHEM 565. Receptor Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 464 or CHEM 461. Study of the kinetics, structural requirements and signal-transduction mechanisms of receptor-ligand interactions. 3 hours of lecture per week.
CHEM 566. DNA-Protein Interactions (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 464, or CHEM 461 and CHEM 462. An advanced biochemistry course with an in-depth study of the biochemistry of DNA-protein interactions. The course focuses on subfields of biochemistry that involve direct physical interaction between DNA and proteins, including DNA repair, mutagenesis, replication, transcription, translation, RNA interference, DNA packaging and chromosomal maintenance. 3 hours of lecture per week.
CHEM 567. Investigating Protein Structure and Function (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 461 or CHEM 464 (or equivalent); Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 567L; Recommended Preparatory: CHEM 352. The course covers advanced concepts in protein structure and function relationships focusing specifically on current biophysical approaches to problems in protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, allosteric effects, protein motions and conformational changes, protein folding, as well as protein structure prediction and design.
CHEM 567L. Investigating Protein Structure and Function Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 461 or CHEM 464 (or equivalent); Required Corequisite: CHEM 567; Recommended Preparatory: CHEM 352. Application of biophysical methods to characterize protein structure and function. The lab will involve both hands-on collection and analysis of data from advanced instruments, as well as computational characterization and simulation of proteins.
CHEM 595A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (1-3)
Prerequisites: Advisor and instructor consent. Specialized topics from a concentrated field of current interest presented at an advanced level. Since the topic chosen is different each semester, students may repeat this course with approval.
CHEM 599A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Independent Study
CHEM 691. Literature Seminar (1)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Instructor consent. Oral reports by graduate students on important topics from the current literature in chemistry.
CHEM 692. Thesis Seminar (1)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Instructor consent. Oral reports by graduate students on the results of their thesis research. Before presenting the report, students must submit a rough draft of their M.S. thesis to their graduate thesis committee and to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as a whole.
CHEM 696A-C. Directed Graduate Research (1-7)
Prerequisites: Classified status; Consent of a faculty member who will serve as thesis advisor. Program of research conducted under the direction of the thesis advisor in an area of interest to the student. May be repeated, but no more than 7 units are allowed toward the M.S. degree.
CHEM 698A-C. Thesis (1-3)
Prerequisites: Classified standing; Advisor’s consent. For the M.S. degree: Thesis includes the preparation and writing of the master thesis. May be repeated once, but not more than 3 units are allowed towards the M.S. degree.
CPLX 701. Mathematical Foundations for Complex Systems (2)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate advisor. This course provides essential mathematical tools for the study of complex systems. Topics include vector calculus, linear algebra and aspects of differential equations and partial differential equations.
CPLX 702. Physics Foundations for Complex Systems (2)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate advisor. This course introduces physical approaches to dealing with complex, many-body systems. Two distinct and complementary frameworks are presented: analytical mechanics and statistical physics. Core concepts include Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics, phase space, non-linear dynamics, chaos, fractals, free energy, entropy, partition functions and statistical ensembles.
CPLX 703. Chemistry Foundations for Complex Systems (2)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate advisor. The first part of the course will cover non-linear chemical kinetics, control of chemical reactions, self-assembly at microscopic and macroscopic levels, and development of new techniques for materials synthesis. In the second part, quantum chemical models for describing large systems and their interaction with the surroundings will be introduced.
CPLX 704. Biology Foundations for Complex Systems (2)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate advisor. The course will explore how to analyze biology from a systems-level point of view. Students will explore design principles in biology, including plasticity, exploratory behavior, weak-linkage, constraints that deconstrain, robustness, (non)optimality and evolvability.
CPLX 705. Computer Science Foundations for Complex Systems (2)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate advisor. Overview of computer science topics relevant to complex systems, including software development, design of algorithms, computer simulation, computer and sensor networks, social networks and agent-based systems.
CPLX 706. Engineering Foundations for Complex Systems (2)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate advisor. This course introduces the principles and methods of complex systems engineering. The course is organized as a progression through the systems engineering processes of analysis, design, implementation and deployment with consideration of verification and validation throughout. Case studies and guest lectures in each phase present best practice in the field and both successes and failures are considered. Lectures will include modeling of engineering system performance and constraints; formulating systems of design rules; optimization algorithms; solver software. Students will work as an integrated conceptual design team. Complex systems engineering standards and selected journal articles will serve as a basis for readings. The course is relevant to all professions associated with the introduction of complex human-made systems.
CPLX 710A. Complex Systems I (4)
Prerequisites: Passing preliminary examination and graduate advisor consent. This course provides an overview of complex systems and describes theoretical, numerical and computational approaches to defining, analyzing and solving applied problems in complex systems.
CPLX 710B. Complex Systems II (4)
Prerequisites: CPLX 710A, passing preliminary examination and graduate advisor consent. Hands-on activities on complex systems topics. Examples of course project topics include complex networked systems (sensor networks and social networks) and agent-based modeling (genetic programming and evolutionary strategies).
CPLX 791. Research Seminar (1)
Prerequisites: Passing preliminary examination and graduate advisor consent. Advanced studies in various subjects related to complex systems through special seminars, informal group studies of special problems, or group research on complete problems for analysis and experimentation.
GEOL 101. Geology of Planet Earth (3)
Studies of the geologic materials and processes that shape our Earth and environment are explored as they relate to our everyday lives. Topics include global tectonics; earthquakes and other geologic hazards; glacial, river and coastal processes that form our landscapes; water, mineral and energy resources; and waste disposal and pollution. Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences section of General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing GEOL 102. Students may not receive credit for both GEOL 100 and 101. 3 hours lecture, field trip.
GEOL 102. Geology of Planet Earth Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101. Identification of rocks and minerals. Introduction to topographic maps and how they are used to interpret geologic processes and geologic history. Interpretation of geologic maps and data relating to earthquakes and plate tectonics. Satisfies the lab requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided either GEOL 100 or 101 is completed. 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 104. Living with Earthquakes in California (3)
Not for credit in Geology major. Examines the revolution in earthquake hazard awareness that has occurred in California since the mid-1980’s when the scale of the earthquake hazard began to emerge from scientific discovery. Students will investigate the reciprocal ways in which science has informed the public, political and economic debate over the implications of earthquake hazard as well as exploring the manner by which public and political priorities have shaped the direction of scientific and engineering response to the hazard. Lecture 3 hours. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.)
GEOL 106LRS. Earth and Space Science for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Analysis of Earth systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere), the solar system and the universe. Selected topics include structure and composition of the Earth; minerals and rocks; plate tectonics; landforms and surface processes; natural hazards, such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; physical oceanography, the water cycle, weather and climate; formation of the universe and solar system; and evolution of stars and galaxies. 3 hours lecture per week. Available for Earth Science credit for Liberal Studies. (Cross-listed with GEOG 106LRS.)
GEOL 107/L. Geology Goes Hollywood and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 107L. This online lecture and laboratory combination explores how Earth science issues that impact society are depicted in film and television and how these depictions influence the viewers’ perceptions of Earth science. Students will learn fundamental concepts of Earth science, and how to evaluate the appropriateness and accuracy of Earth science portrayed in fictional and documentary film and television. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences, fulfills lecture and lab credit.)
GEOL 110. Earth and Life Through Time (3)
Introduction to the dynamic study of the Earth’s evolution, including changes in its crust, oceans, atmosphere and climate and how these changes, woven into the fabric of geologic time, affected major groups of plants and animals, including dinosaurs and humans. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing GEOL 112.
GEOL 112. Earth and Life Through Time Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 110. Course content includes introduction to fossil, relative-age relationships and construction and interpretation of maps and cross-sections that emphasize paleogeography and sedimentary rocks. May be used satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided GEOL 110 is completed. 3 hours lab, 1-day field trip.
GEOL 122. The World Ocean (3)
Introduction to the oceans. Evolution of the ocean basins, their environment and resources. Aspects of biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing GEOL 123. 3 hours lecture, field trips.
GEOL 123. World Ocean Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 122. Introduction to oceanographic data, its collection and interpretation. May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in the Natural Sciences of General Education provided GEOL 122 also is completed. 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 207/L. Mineralogy and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 207L. Preparatory: GEOL 101, GEOL 102; CHEM 101 or CHEM 100. Study of the nonsilicate and silicate minerals with emphasis on crystallography, mineral chemistry, physical properties, occurrence, origin and associations. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 300. Environmental Geology (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of the relationship between humans and the Earth and the application of geology to environmental problems. Topics include geological hazards, pollution, mineral and energy resources, land use planning and environmental impact. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in the Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing GEOL 301. 3 hours lecture, field trips.
GEOL 301. Environmental Geology Lab (1)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 300. Introduction to geologic materials and processes as they are applicable to the human environment. Included are practical exercises on rocks, minerals, geologic maps and water, mineral and energy resources. Earthquake, volcanic, landslide and flood hazard evaluations are also performed. 3 hours lab, field trips. May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in the Natural Sciences of General Education provided GEOL 300 also is completed.
GEOL 303. Communicating Geoscience (2)
Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Scientific discoveries are only useful to the community if they are shared clearly, concisely, and convincingly. Scientists use different communications strategies based on the audience they are addressing, the purpose of their communication, and the mediums available to them. This course introduces students to a range of written, visual, and oral communications products that are common in geoscience. Students practice elements of effective communication by critiquing samples, creating their own products, and learning to revise them. 3 hours in class and 3 hours online assignments.
GEOL 306/L. Earth Materials and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 306L. Recommended Preparatory: Any 100-level CHEM course. Study of the origin and distribution of the solid materials that comprise the Earth. Students will learn the physical and optical properties of minerals and use those properties to perform mineral and rock identifications. The course will emphasize placing earth materials in the context of the rock cycle and plate tectonic theory. Homework assignments organized around real data sets will simulate research experience and provide important problem solving opportunities. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trip, fee required.
GEOL 307/L. Petrology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: GEOL 306/L and CHEM 101/L. Corequisite: GEOL 307L. Introduction to the classification and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including the optical properties of minerals. Lab study of these rocks utilizing hand-specimen characteristics and the petrographic microscope. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips, fee required.
GEOL 309/L. Earth Tectonics and Structure and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 309L. Study of the basic principles of plate tectonics and structural geology that provide ways to interpret Earth’s interior. Topics will include the basics of plate tectonic theory, stress and strain, classification of structures, and structural-tectonic evolution of modern and ancient plate boundaries. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trip, fee required.
GEOL 310/L. Advanced Structural Geology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: GEOL 309/L. Corequisite: GEOL 310L. Study of rock deformational processes and resulting structures in the Earth’s crust. Lab work emphasizes the use of graphic methods to assist in the geometric and kinematic interpretation of rock structures. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trip, fee required.
GEOL 313. Introduction to Field Methods (2)
Prerequisites: GEOL 306/L. Study of and practice in techniques and methods of geologic field studies, including note taking, mapping, analysis of geologic history and structures, geologic illustration, and report writing. 3 hours per week and approximately 6 days of fieldwork (including overnight weekend trips). Fee required.
GEOL 314/L. Earth Systems and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 314L. This course focuses on the four Earth systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) and interactions between these systems and humankind. Major course topics include water and energy resources, global climate change, sedimentary processes at the Earth’s surface, and how the fossil record is used to understand Earth history and the geologic timescale. Special focus will be placed on feedbacks between each system and the role of humans in these interactions. The laboratory will reinforce and expand concepts introduced in the lecture. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips, fee required.
GEOL 341/L. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: GEOL 314/L. Corequisite: 341L. Introduction to the processes of sedimentation; the texture, composition and classification of sedimentary rocks; depositional environments; and stratigraphic sequences and correlation techniques. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips, fee required.
GEOL 351/L. Fundamentals of Paleontology and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 351L. Preparatory: Two courses in either Geology or Biology. Survey of past life on the Earth, including fossil cyanobacteria, macroscopic algae, protoctists, plants (also spores and pollen), invertebrate and vertebrates, and their evolution, distribution and paleontology, with emphasis on methods used by paleontologists, especially for environmental studies. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 406LRS. Liberal Studies Science Experience Capstone (1)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100, BIOL 101 or BIOL 102; PHSC 170; GEOL 106LRS or GEOG 106LRS. This laboratory course serves as a culminating science experience for Liberal Studies majors in the Pre-Credential and ITEP options. An interdisciplinary blend of biology, physics, chemistry, and Earth and space sciences from lower division courses will be integrated into the course as various topics are explored through the broad lens of Earth science. Hands-on investigations will include topics linked to California K-6 State Science Standards, such as the nature of science, astronomy and the solar system, solar energy and meteorology, the water cycle, fossils and the evolution of life, rocks and minerals, natural resources, plate tectonics and Earth’s structure, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and geomorphology. 3 hours lab.
GEOL 430A/B. Summer Field Geology (2-2)
Prerequisites: GEOL 310/L and GEOL 341/L. A two-course sequence on advanced observation and collection of geologic field data and the construction of geologic maps, cross-sections and stratigraphic sections. Students must enroll in both A and B courses during the same summer session, and fieldwork for both courses is completed during the first four weeks of the session. During the remaining weeks of the session, students must complete two comprehensive formal geologic field reports, including geologic maps and cross-sections, one for GEOL 430A and one for GEOL 430B. Available for graduate credit. Course fee required.
GEOL 443/L. Principles of Stratigraphy and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 443L. Recommended Preparatory: GEOL 341/L. Introduction to the basic principles of stratigraphy and application of stratigraphic methods (e.g., lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, magnetic stratigraphy) essential for basin analysis and interpretation of sedimentary facies. Available for graduate credit. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 464/L. Applied Geophysics and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 464L. Preparatory: GEOL 313, GEOL 307; MATH 150A or MATH 255A; or instructor consent. Introduction to the basic principles and techniques of geophysics. Includes study of seismic reflection and refraction, earthquakes, gravity, magnetic, electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar and global positioning system satellites. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 471LB. Petroleum Geology (2)
Recommended Prerequisite: GEOL 341. This course will introduce students to various aspects of petroleum geology — the geochemistry and generation of petroleum, methods of exploration, including seismic and electric logs, migration and trapping mechanisms, and aspects of petroleum production, including reservoir characterization. Students also will examine the geology of some major petroleum provinces. 2 hours lecture/discussion, field trips. Available for graduate credit.
GEOL 490. Senior Capstone (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 303, GEOL 306, GEOL 309, GEOL 313, GEOL 314; B.S. Geology majors only. Students engage in a semester-long case study problem where a community must make a decision about how to effectively use a geologically complex site such as an eroding coastline, a contaminated industrial site, or a landfill facing landslides (topics change yearly). Students work in collaborative teams to investigate the geologic, economic, social, and political factors that affect that decision.
GEOL 497. Research Methods and Design (1)
Preparatory: Junior or senior standing; Instructor consent. Students are advised and guided in research methods and design. Students use critical reasoning and the scientific method to develop and write their own research proposal to execute the project for their senior thesis. The written proposal is patterned after those required by the National Science Foundation.
GEOL 498. Senior Thesis (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 497; Instructor consent. Following approval by the thesis advisor of a written proposal, the student completes an original research project in consultation with the faculty advisor. Upon completion of the research, the student will submit the written thesis to the advisor and give an oral presentation to the Department of Geological Sciences.
GEOL 499. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under Courses of Study. Cannot be used for General Education credit.
GEOL 501. Teaching and Learning about the Natural World (3)
An overview of science education research methodologies and findings that have an impact on science classrooms at all levels. Introduces practical techniques to identify students’ prior knowledge and construct effective educational experiences that help them build on that knowledge. Topics include: Common misconceptions; novice v. expert thinking; attention span with 21st century learners; developing spatial reasoning skills; science in urban settings; field trips; affect and attitudes towards science; and designing effective assessments. Students learn qualitative and quantitative science education research methodologies firsthand through a small-scale original research project.
GEOL 510. Advanced Topics in Paleontology (3)
Preparatory: GEOL 341, GEOL 351, GEOL 508. Seminars in various topics in invertebrate paleontology, such as biostratigraphy, paleoecology, functional morphology, etc. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 hours seminar.
GEOL 521. Sedimentary Environments (3)
Preparatory: GEOL 341 or instructor consent. Study of the characteristics of modern sedimentary environments and how these characteristics are used to recognize ancient sedimentary environments. 3 hours seminar.
GEOL 523/L. Sedimentation and Tectonics and Lab (2/2)
Corequisite: GEOL 523L. Preparatory: GEOL 310, GEOL 335, GEOL 341; or instructor consent. Lecture topics include a review of plate tectonic theory, followed by detailed discussions of the sedimentary and structural histories of basins from assorted tectonic settings. Labs include study of thin sections of sediments and sedimentary rocks, particularly clastic sedimentary rocks from basin types discussed in lecture and the collection and analysis of field data used in basin studies. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 532/L. Microtectonics and Lab (3/1)
Preparatory: GEOL 307/L, GEOL 310/L. This course will emphasize the microstructural and textural analysis of metamorphic rocks in thin section to aid in the interpretation of tectonic evolution. Topics include identification of igneous and metamorphic assemblages; identification of textures and microstructures; identification of deformation mechanisms at the grain- and crystal-lattice scale; secondary foliation and lineation development; the origin of lattice preferred orientation; porphyroblast growth; microgauges of temperature, pressure and differential stress; and special techniques used to study deformation fabrics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.
GEOL 533/L. Geology of Earthquakes (2/1)
Preparatory: GEOL 310. Lecture topics will include a review of plate tectonics, rock mechanics, seismology, tectonic geodesy, paleoseismology, tectonic geomorphology and seismic hazard assessment. Detailed discussions will include study of recent major earthquakes that have occurred in strike-slip, thrust-reverse, megathrust (subduction zone) and normal-fault tectonic settings. Labs will include study of air photos, geologic maps, trench logs and core descriptions from studies of recent earthquakes, and the collection and analysis of field data used in earthquake studies. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 536/L. Igneous Petrology and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 536L. Preparatory: GEOL 307. Study of the more important kinds of igneous rocks, emphasizing distribution, origin, causes of compositional variation and relation to tectonic factors. Representative rock suites and computer techniques are studied in the lab. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 546/L. Geodynamics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: MATH 255A, GEOL 101. Corequisite: GEOL 546L. Recommended Preparatory: MATH 280, GEOL 307. This course provides fundamental concepts necessary for understanding of the interior and surficial processes of the Earth and other planets through quantitative analysis of elastic plate flexure, heat flow, heat production, convection, geophysical fluid dynamics, gravity, surface stresses, and rheology and deformation of planetary materials. Geological areas of application include earthquakes, tectonic plate flexure, volcanic eruptions, magma plumbing, mountain building, mantle convection, Earth’s interior heat budget, core dynamo, upper mantle flow and deformation mechanisms. Designed for senior-level undergraduate and graduate students in geology, geophysics, physics, or astronomy. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.
GEOL 548/L. Seismology and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: MATH 150A or 255A. Corequisite: GEOL 548L. Recommended Preparatory: GEOL 101, MATH 280. This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in seismology and the study of elastic waves in the solid earth. Topics include: seismic wave equation, stress/strain theory, ray theory, tomography, reflection seismology, body waves, surface waves, source theory, anisotropy, inverse problems, signal processing, and introduction to normal modes. Concepts will be approached through lectures, scientific readings, group projects, analysis of seismic data sets, and study of basic seismology theory. Designed for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in geology, geophysics, and related sciences. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.
GEOL 551. Quaternary Geochronology (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 207L, CHEM 101, PHYS 100A. The course examines recent advances in Quaternary geochronology. Topics include defining the time period, common landforms and deposits, oxygen isotope stratigraphy, and geochronologic methods including radiocarbon (14C) dating, Uranium series disequilibrium, cosmogenic nuclides (10Be, 26Al, 36Cl), luminescence dating, and magnetostratigraphy. Lecture 3 hours, 1 field trip.
GEOL 552. Geochemistry (3)
Preparatory: GEOL 307 or instructor consent. Application of the principles of chemistry to geological problems. Topics include nucleosynthesis, origin of the solar system, elemental distribution, and stable and unstable isotopes. 3 hours lecture.
GEOL 553. Analytical Geochemistry (1)
Preparatory: CHEM 102; GEOL 307; or instructor consent. Instrumental analysis of rocks and minerals. Includes theory and practical application of X-ray spectrography, X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, mass-spectrometry and electron microprobe. 3 hours lab.
GEOL 575/L. Hydrogeology and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 575L. Preparatory: Upper division standing in Geology; Formal geologic field reports, including geologic maps and cross-sections, one for GEOL 430A and one for GEOL 430B. Students must enroll in both courses during the same Summer session. Available for graduate credit.
GEOL 580/L. Engineering Geology and Lab (2/1)
Corequisite: GEOL 580L. Preparatory: Upper division standing in Geology or consent of instructor. Application of geologic factors to such engineering projects as residential developments, buildings, dams, bridges, tunnels and waste-disposal sites. Topics include an introduction to soil mechanics, groundwater in engineering geology, landslides, earthquakes, subsidence, waste disposal, and engineering geologic site investigations, maps and reports. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.
GEOL 590. Literature Seminar (1)
Preparatory: Senior undergraduate or graduate standing in Geological Sciences. Students will make oral presentations of and lead discussions about current research literature in geological sciences.
GEOL 595A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Geological Sciences (1-3)
Preparatory: Instructor consent. Experimental topics in the geological sciences with the course content to be determined. Topics may be repeated with advisor approval.
GEOL 599A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under Courses of Study. Cannot be used for General Education credit.
GEOL 694. Graduate Thesis Research Design (1)
Instruction and practice in the process required to construct a research proposal, culminating in the development of a graduate-level research proposal suitable as a master’s thesis project.
GEOL 696. Directed Graduate Research (1-3)
No course description.
GEOL 698. Thesis or Graduate Project (1-6)
No course description.
GEOL 699A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under Courses of Study. Cannot be used for General Education credit.
MATH 091A. Diagnostic for Developmental Mathematics I (1)
Prerequisite: A score below 34 on the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Exam or equivalent*. This is a self-paced diagnostic and preparation for ELM material designed for students with ELM scores below 34. Credit will not apply toward the baccalaureate degree but will apply as 1 unit of University credit. Successful completion of MATH 091A qualifies students for entrance into MATH 093 and MATH 097. The course covers topics in basic arithmetic and elementary algebra. This course is not open to students who are currently enrolled in or who have received credit in MATH 092. (Cross-listed with ESM 091A.)
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 091B. Support Course for GE Mathematics (1)
Corequisite: Enrollment in MATH 102, but only for students who qualify for MATH 102 by receiving a passing grade in MATH 196S or equivalent. This is a credit/no credit pre-baccalaureate math class designed to support students in algebra intensive GE Math courses. It provides just in time remediation just prior to each of the linked GE Math lecture meetings, allowing students to have the prerequisites at their fingertips.
MATH 092. Developmental Mathematics I (3)
Notice: MATH 092 will no longer be offered as of Fall 2018. Refer to Multiple Measures Assessment for course placement.
First in a 2-semester sequence of developmental mathematics courses. Students scoring below 34 on the ELM need to complete MATH 092 and MATH 093 successfully to be remediated. Credit will not apply toward the baccalaureate degree but will apply as 3 units of University credit. Students who earn credit in MATH 092 are eligible to enroll in MATH 093. Topics covered include fractions, decimal notation, percent, real numbers and algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 093. Developmental Mathematics II (5)
Notice: MATH 093 will no longer be offered as of Fall 2018. Refer to Multiple Measures Assessment for course placement.
Prerequisite: Score of 34 or above, but below 50 on the ELM Exam or credit in MATH 092. Credit will not apply toward the baccalaureate degree, but will apply as 5 units of University credit. Successful completion of MATH 093 qualifies students for entrance into MATH 102, MATH 131, MATH 140 and MATH 210. Review of elementary algebra topics, such as equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, graphing, radical expressions, quadratic equations and functions. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 097. Developmental Mathematics II–Pre-Statistics Emphasis (5)
Notice: MATH 097 will no longer be offered as of Fall 2018. Refer to Multiple Measures Assessment for course placement.
Prerequisite: A score of 34 or above, but below 50 on the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) exam or credit in MATH 092. Credit will not apply toward the baccalaureate degree but will apply as 5 units of University credit. Successful completion of MATH 097 qualifies students for entrance into MATH 131 and MATH 140. Students who later take MATH 102, MATH 103 and MATH 210 must take the MPT. This course is not open to students who are currently enrolled in or who have received credit in MATH 093. The course covers topics in elementary algebra and pre-statistics: equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, graphing, quadratic equations and functions, introduction to statistical vocabulary and reading comprehension in mathematical and statistical contexts, data analysis, basic probability, introduction to the normal distribution and inference. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 099. Developmental Mathematics II (3)
Notice: MATH 099 will no longer be offered as of Fall 2018. Refer to Multiple Measures Assessment for course placement.
Prerequisite: A score of 40 or above but below 50 on the ELM Exam or credit in MATH 092. Credit will not apply toward the baccalaureate degree, but will apply as 3 units of University credit. Successful completion of MATH 099 qualifies students for entrance into MATH 102 and MATH 103 (conditionally), MATH 131, MATH 140 and MATH 210. This course is not open to students who are currently enrolled in or who have received credit in MATH 093. This is an accelerated review of elementary algebra topics, including equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, graphing, radical expressions, quadratic equations and functions. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 102. Pre-Calculus I (3)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 102L. A preparation for the algebra necessary for calculus. This course is intended for computer science, engineering, mathematics, and natural science majors. It builds on student’s familiarity with linear, quadratic, and rational expressions to achieve fluent proficiency in analyzing the local and global behavior of functions involving such expressions. Not open to students who have credit in MATH 105 (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
MATH 102L. Pre-Calculus I Lab (1)
Prerequisite: Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 102. All students in MATH 102 are encouraged to enroll in this course. This is a Credit/No Credit hybrid enrichment laboratory for students in MATH 102. This course will include a self-paced, modular online component. 2 hours lab per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 103. Mathematical Methods for Business (3)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 103L. Concepts and applications of algebra and calculus to business. Topics include functions, systems of equations, matrices, the derivative and business-related topics in calculus. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
MATH 103L. Mathematics for Business Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Passing score on the ELM Exam or equivalent*. This self-paced, module-based laboratory is designed to give students additional exposure to the applications of college algebra to business and economics beyond what can be done in lecture. The additional hands-on problem-solving skills learned in this class enhance the lecture experience and strengthen the skills necessary for success in MATH 103 and subsequent courses in business majors. The lab environment allows students to both work at their own pace and receive small-group instruction with the laboratory instructor on all modules. 2 hours lab per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 104. Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry (3)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 104L. Rectangular and polar coordinates; trigonometric functions, identities and equations; inverse trigonometric functions; conic sections; complex numbers. Not open to students who have credit in MATH 103, MATH 105 or MATH 106.
MATH 104L. Trigonometry Lab (1)
Prerequisite: Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 104. All students in MATH 104 are encouraged to enroll in this course. This is a Credit/No Credit hybrid enrichment laboratory for students in MATH 104. This course will include a self-paced, modular online component. 2 hours lab per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 105. Pre-Calculus II (5)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 105L. A preparation for the trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions used in calculus. This course is intended for computer science, engineering, mathematics, and natural science majors. This course builds on student’s familiarity with exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric expressions to achieve proficiency in analyzing the local and global behavior of functions involving such expressions. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
MATH 105L. Pre-Calculus II Lab (1)
Prerequisite: Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 105. All students in MATH 105 are encouraged to enroll in this course. This is a Credit/No Credit hybrid enrichment laboratory for students in MATH 105. This course will include a self-paced, modular online component. 3 hours lab per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 106. Mathematical Foundations for Non-Calculus Physics (5)
Prerequisite: Readiness for GE math without supplemental support (see Table 1). Mathematics applicable to problems in non-calculus based physics. Sets, inequalities; functions and graphs: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric; introduction to vectors, angular velocity, and parametric equations. This course is not open to students who have credit in MATH 105 or MATH 255A. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
MATH 131. Mathematical Ideas (3)
Prerequisites: Category 2 in QR/Math, or credit in MATH 196QR or MATH 196S, or passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam*, or credit in MATH 093 or equivalent. General Education course intended to acquaint the student with basic mathematical ideas. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 140. Introductory Statistics (4)
Prerequisites: Category 1 in QR/Math without equivalent of Statistics, or Category 2 in QR/Math, or credit in MATH 196QR or MATH 196S, or passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam*, or credit in MATH 093 or equivalent. Methods for displaying, describing and producing data. Normal distribution. Correlation and regression. Sampling distributions and probability. Statistical inference for means and proportions. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 150A. Calculus I (5)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared or who transfer the equivalent of MATH 105 or both MATH 102 and MATH 104 must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 150AL. Limits, derivatives, and applications of differentiation. Definite and indefinite integrals. The fundamental theorem of calculus and applications of integration. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
MATH 150AL. Calculus I Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 150A or MATH 255A. All students in MATH 150A and MATH 255A are encouraged to enroll in this course. This is a Credit/No Credit hybrid enrichment laboratory for students in MATH 150A and MATH 255A. This course will include a self-paced, modular online component. 3 hours lab per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 150B. Calculus II (5)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 150BL. Techniques of integration and improper integrals. Sequences and series. Power series and Taylor polynomials. Parametric and polar coordinates. Vectors and solid geometry.
MATH 150BL. Calculus II Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 150B or MATH 255B. All students in MATH 150B and MATH 255B are encouraged to enroll in this course. This is a Credit/No Credit hybrid enrichment laboratory for students in MATH 150B and MATH 255B. This course will include a self-paced, modular online component. 3 hours lab per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 210. Basic Number Concepts (3)
Prerequisites: Category 2 in QR/Math, or credit in MATH 196QR or MATH 196S, or passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam*, or credit in MATH 093 or equivalent. Language of sets, systems of numeration, nature of numbers and fundamentals of operations, relations and functions, domain of integers, and field of rational and real numbers. Designed primarily for students intending to teach in elementary or junior high school. Not available for credit toward the major or minor in mathematics.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 211. Statistics and Probability for Elementary and Middle School Teachers (3)
Prerequisites: Passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam or equivalent* or credit in MATH 093 or equivalent, and completion of MATH 210 with a grade of “C” or better. Univariate and bivariate data analysis; probability and probability distributions; design of studies and concepts of inferential statistics; applications to procedures used to evaluate teaching and learning. Not available for credit toward a mathematics major or minor.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 250. Calculus III (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of MATH 150B with a grade of “C” or better. Continuation of MATH 150B. Solid analytic geometry and space curves. Partial differentiation and applications. Multiple integrals. Line integrals and independence of path. Vector calculus including the divergence theorem and Stokes’ theorem.
MATH 255A. Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 255AL. Knowledge of trigonometry is assumed. First semester of a brief course in calculus. Topics include calculus of functions of one real variable, techniques of differentiation, applications to graphing, optimization problems, and an introduction to integration. Applications to life sciences are emphasized. Not open for credit to students who have successfully completed MATH 150A. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
MATH 255AL. Calculus for the Life Sciences I Lab (1)
Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 255A. All students in MATH 255A are encouraged to enroll in this lab. This course will include a self-paced, modular outline component. 3 lab hours per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 255B. Calculus for the Life Sciences II (3)
Prerequisites: Listed in Table 1. Students who are conditionally prepared must have credit for or concurrently enroll in MATH 255BL. Second semester of a brief course in calculus. Topics include techniques of integration, introduction to differential equations, applications of calculus in probability, elements of multivariable calculus, and linear algebra. Applications to life sciences are emphasized. Not open for students who have successfully completed MATH 150AB.
MATH 255BL. Calculus for the Life Sciences II Lab (1)
Required for all conditionally prepared students enrolled in MATH 255B. All students in MATH 255B are encouraged to enroll in this course. This course will include a self-paced, modular online component. 3 lab hours per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 262. Introduction to Linear Algebra (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 150B. Systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues, vector spaces and linear transformations, as well as introduction to inner products on Rn and spectral theorem for symmetric matrices.
MATH 280. Applied Differential Equations (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of MATH 150B with a grade of “C” or better. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 250. First order equations. Explicit solution methods, existence and uniqueness for initial value problems. Higher order linear equations. Undetermined coefficients and variation of parameters. Laplace transforms and transform solution methods. Linear first-order systems. Emphasis on engineering applications. Not available for students majoring in Mathematics.
MATH 310. Basic Concepts of Geometry, Probability and Statistics (3)
Prerequisites: Passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam or equivalent* or credit in MATH 093 or equivalent and completion of MATH 210 with a grade of “C” or better. Articulated course from another college equivalent to MATH 210 may only satisfy the course prerequisite for MATH 310. Students passing such a course with a “C” or better will still need to fulfill the ELM Exam or equivalent requirement. Second course for students intending to teach in elementary or junior high school. Geometry as a system; congruence and similarity through construction with straightedge and compass; transformational geometry; the nature of measurement, precision and accuracy; basic principles of probability and statistics. Not available for credit toward the major or minor in mathematics.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 310L. Geometry, Probability and Statistics Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 310. Problem solving using models and simulation in mathematics appropriate for the elementary-school classroom. 2 hours of activities per week. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 311. Basic Geometric Concepts (3)
Prerequisites: Passing score on the ELM Exam or equivalent* and completion of MATH 210 and MATH 310 with a grade of “C” or better, or instructor consent. Continuation of the investigation of elementary geometry begun in MATH 310. Topics selected from topology, motion geometry, metric geometry, geometry as a mathematical system, absolute geometry, Euclidean geometry and non-Euclidean geometry. Not available for credit toward the mathematics major or minor.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 312. Basic Algebraic Concepts (3)
Prerequisites: Passing score on the ELM Exam or equivalent* and completion of MATH 210 and MATH 310 with a grade of “C” or better, or instructor consent. Topics selected from: abstract algebra and applied algebra using elementary mathematical models. Not available for credit toward the mathematics major or minor.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 320. Foundations of Higher Mathematics (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 150B. The goal of this course is to help students transition from a primarily computational mode of doing mathematics to a more conceptual mode. The emphasis will be on proofs, which are taught in the context of elementary number theory, combinatorics and analysis; the language of sets, relations, order, equivalence classes, functions and cardinality is introduced. Students are expected to write large numbers of proofs and communicate mathematical ideas clearly.
MATH 326. Discrete Mathematics (3)
Prerequisites: ECE 320 or PHIL 230; MATH 150B. Propositional calculus, predicate calculus, set algebra, relations, functions, mappings, fields and number systems.
MATH 331. Mathematical Explorations (3)
Prerequisites: Passing score on the ELM Exam or equivalent*; Completion of the lower division writing requirement; Upper division standing. A course designed to give students an appreciation of the diversity of mathematics and the spirit in which it is employed in various applications. The character and origin of key topics from different branches of mathematics are explored. The contributions of various cultures to the field are studied, along with the use of mathematical models for physical problems. The development is conceptual rather than axiomatic, and includes several supervised reading and writing assignments. One significant writing assignment is required. Strongly recommended for prospective teachers in all fields. (Available for General Education, Basic Skills Mathematics.)
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 340. Introductory Probability (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 150B. Sample spaces, probability rules, independence, conditional probability, Bayes Theorem, discrete and continuous random variables and distributions (e.g. binomial, Poisson, geometric, normal, exponential, uniform), expectation, moment generating functions, joint distributions and central limit theorem.
MATH 341. Applied Statistics I (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 150B. Introduction to the practice of statistics, emphasizing the role of probability. Includes basic probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, expectation and variance, sample surveys and experiments, displaying and summarizing data, sampling distributions, central limit theorem, inference for proportions, chi-square test and least squares regression. Mathematics majors who are not in the Secondary Teaching option may not receive credit for both MATH 340 and MATH 341.
MATH 351. Differential Equations (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of MATH 250 and MATH 262 with a grade of “C” or better. Not open to students who have credit for MATH 280. First-order equations and explicit solution methods. The Picard-Lindelöf existence and uniqueness theorem. Higher order linear equations. Undetermined coefficients and variation of parameters. Power series solutions. Linear systems and eigenvector methods. Linearization and solution sketching for autonomous systems.
MATH 360. Abstract Algebra I (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 262, MATH 320. Survey course in abstract algebra. Introduction to groups, rings, fields and vector spaces.
MATH 366. Combinatorics (3)
Corequisite: MATH 320 or MATH 326. This is a one-semester introduction to combinatorics. Topics include enumerative combinatorics (inclusion-exclusion, generating functions, Polya’s Theorem, etc.) and combinatorial structures (graphs, designs, etc.).
MATH 370. Foundations of Geometry (3)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 320. One of the goals of this course is to help students write rigorous proofs of results of plane Euclidean geometry. It is also expected that students visualize and develop geometric intuition through the use of dynamic geometry software. The content includes history, axiomatic structure and theorems of plane Euclidean geometry, geometric transformations of the plane, rigid motions, similarities, and inversion, coordinate geometry and an introduction to non-Euclidean geometries.
MATH 382/L. Introduction to Scientific Computing and Lab (2/1)
Corequisite: MATH 262. This course gives students an introduction to basic numerical techniques and to programming using some of the common software packages used in mathematics. Students apply these techniques in projects from different branches of mathematics. (This course does not replace a rigorous course in numerical analysis.) 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab.
MATH 391. Field Experience in the Mathematics of the Public Schools (2)
Prerequisites: Multiple Subject Candidates—MATH 210 and MATH 310 or corequisite with MATH 310; Passing score on the ELM Exam or equivalent*. Single Subject Candidates—MATH 150A, MATH 150B; Junior standing. Field experience course designed to give the prospective teacher an appreciation of a quality mathematics program in public schools. Requirements include 45 hours of participation in an assigned school and regular group meetings to discuss the classroom experience. (Credit/No Credit only)
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
MATH 440A. Mathematical Statistics I (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 262, MATH 340. Point estimation, bias and mean squared error, optimality theory for estimates, maximum likelihood estimation, confidence intervals, test of hypotheses, power, and optimality theory for tests.
MATH 440B. Mathematical Statistics II (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 440A. Chi-square goodness of fit tests, simple and multiple linear regression, 1- and 2-way analysis of variance, and statistical analysis using the computer.
MATH 442A-Z. Topics in Mathematical Statistics (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 340 or MATH 440A. Topics selected from statistics and/or probability, such as nonparametric statistics, multivariate statistics, experimental design, decision theory and advanced probability theory.
MATH 450A. Advanced Calculus I (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 320. Topics include the real number system, sequences and series of numbers, limits and continuity of functions, differentiation and Riemann integration of functions of one real variable. Available for graduate credit.
MATH 450B. Advanced Calculus II (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 450A. Topics include sequences and series of functions, the Heine-Borel Theorem, continuous functions, differentiation of multi-variable functions, and theInverse and Implicit Function Theorems. Available for graduate credit.
MATH 455. Complex Variables (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 450A. Complex numbers, analytic functions, complex integration, Cauchy’s Theorem, power series, calculus of residues and conformal mappings.
MATH 460. Abstract Algebra II (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 360. Second course in abstract algebra. Group theory, rings and modules, and field extensions.
MATH 462. Advanced Linear Algebra (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 262, MATH 320. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory MATH 360. This course covers vector spaces and linear transformations from a more theoretical perspective than that covered in MATH 262. The course begins with a review of abstract vector spaces, including the invariance of dimension of a finite dimensional vector space, the correspondence between linear transformations and matrices, similarity, as well as the definition and basic properties of determinants. The concepts of eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization will be reviewed. The course will also cover real and complex inner product spaces, Hermitian operators, the spectral theorem, minimal and characteristic polynomials, the Cayley Hamilton theorem, and the Jordan canonical form.
MATH 463. Number Theory (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 320. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 360. Euclidean algorithm and the unique factorization theorem, congruences, primitive roots and indices, quadratic residues and the law of quadratic reciprocity, and distribution of primes.
MATH 480. Partial Differential Equations (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 351 or MATH 280. Orthogonal functions, Laplaces equation, Poissons equation, Bessels equation, self-adjoint operators, Sturm-Liouville theory, Fourier series, separation of variables applied to the heat equation and wave equation, nonhomogeneous problems, Greens functions for time-independent problems, and infinite domain problems.
MATH 481A. Numerical Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: COMP 106/L or COMP 110/L; MATH 262. Techniques of applied mathematics, solution of equations, interpolation, numerical integration and numerical solution of differential equations.
MATH 482. Combinatorial Algorithms (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 150B, MATH 262; Some computer programming experience. Computer-oriented study of seminumerical and non-numerical algorithms. Sorting, tree searching, generation of combinatorial structures, algorithm proof techniques, best algorithms and programming complexity.
MATH 483. Mathematical Modeling (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 340; MATH 351. Applications of mathematical techniques to solve selected problems in ecology, biology, economics, finance, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences and engineering. Models discussed include deterministic, stochastic, optimization, static and dynamic ones. Emphasis is placed on the initial phase of building mathematical models and the final phase of interpreting the solutions in terms of real-life applications.
MATH 490. Capstone Course (3)
Prerequisite: Senior standing. A course where prospective teachers see high-school level mathematics from a more advanced perspective, where there is considerably more emphasis on issues of pedagogy than in other content courses, and where students will see connections between the mathematics they have learned and some of the activities that they will themselves be engaged in as teachers. MATH 490 is required for the Secondary Teaching option, but a student may choose, in consultation with his or her advisor, to take the course a second time as an elective.
MATH 493. Undergraduate Seminar in Mathematics (3)
Prerequisite: Junior standing in the major. Students will study current topics in mathematical and/or statistical literature and will prepare written summaries and give oral presentations to the class. Students will be active participants in all seminars by asking questions and providing written critiques and summaries of the presentations of other students.
MATH 494. Practical Experience in Mathematics (3)
Prerequisite: Junior standing in the major. Students will gain practical experience in the profession by either participating in an internship doing mathematical/statistical work at an outside organization or by doing directed research within the department. All students are expected to work a minimum of 8 hours per week on this assignment and meet with the course instructor on a regular basis. All students are required to produce a written report on their work at the end of the semester. Students will give oral reports to the department and their peers.
MATH 496A-Z. Experimental Topics in Modern Mathematics (3)
Prerequisites: Senior standing and instructor consent.
MATH 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under courses of study.
MATH 501. Topology (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 450A. Metric spaces, topological spaces, compactness, completeness and connectedness. Introduction to function spaces, with emphasis on the uniform topology.
MATH 540. Regression Analysis (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 440A. General linear model in matrix form, simple and multiple regression analysis, transformations, variable selection, multicollinearity, analysis of variance, robust regression, logistic regression, principal components and factor analysis. Statistical software utilized.
MATH 542A-D. Probability and Statistics (3-3-3-3)
Prerequisite: MATH 440A or consent of instructor. This course will cover topics in probability and statistics not covered elsewhere in the program. Part A is usually devoted to multivariate statistics, Part B to stochastic processes, and Part C to probability theory. Part D is left to a topic chosen by the individual instructor.
MATH 550. Calculus on Manifolds (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 450B. Integration of functions of several variables. Differential forms and differential manifolds, Line integrals, integration on manifolds, Stoke’s Theorem and Poincare’s Lemma.
MATH 552. Real Analysis (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 501. Introduction to measure theory and Lebesgue integration, and their application to probability theory. Monotone and dominated convergence theorems, Fubini’s theorem, Fourier analysis and Banach spaces.
MATH 560. Abstract Algebra III (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 460. Graduate course in abstract algebra. Group theory, Galois theory and other topics.
MATH 570. Differential Geometry (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 450B. The local theory of regular curves in R3 and Frenet formulas. Regular surfaces in R3, the first and second fundamental forms, Gaussian and mean curvatures, and the Egregium Gauss theorem. Geodesics and the Gauss-Bonnet theorem.
MATH 581. Numerical Methods for Linear Systems (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 462. Methods for solving large linear problems and eigenvalue problems are presented at an advanced level. Direct methods such as LU factorization, Cholesky factorization and the Least Squares method, and Iterative methods, such as the Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, SOR and conjugate Gradient methods, are discussed in detail. Eigenvalue problems are solved via power iteration, the QR method and the Jacobi method.
MATH 582A-D. Topics in Numerical Analysis (3-3-3-3)
Prerequisite: MATH 581 or consent of instructor. The course will cover topics in numerical analysis which are important in many applications and which are not covered elsewhere in the program. Part A usually covers numerical methods in optimization, Part B covers numerical methods for ordinary differential equations, and Part C covers numerical solution of partial differential equations. Part D covers a subject chosen by the instructor.
MATH 589. Seminar in Mathematics (1)
Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing in the Mathematics Department. Students will read about advanced topics in the recent literature in Mathematics and report on them in a lecture. This course may be taken up to two times with the consent of the advisor. (Credit/No Credit only)
MATH 592A-D. Topics in Applied Mathematics (3-3-3-3)
Prerequisite: MATH 552 or consent of instructor. This course is devoted to a variety of important topics in applied mathematics that are not covered elsewhere in the program. In particular, Part A will cover the mathematical theory of partial differential equations, Part B covers mathematical optimization and operations research, and Part C covers mathematical biology. The topic of Part D is left to the individual instructor.
MATH 595A-Z. Experimental Topics (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Specialized topics from a concentrated field of current interest presented at an advanced level.
MATH 625. Advanced Mathematical Modeling (3)
Selected problems in ecology, biology, economics, finance, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences and engineering are used to develop advanced techniques of mathematical modeling.
MATH 651A-C. Advanced Topics in Analysis, Geometry and Topology (3-3-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Advanced topics not covered in the previous classes on the subject. Part A covers topics in analysis, Part B covers topics in geometry, and Part C covers topics in topology. May be repeated with the consent of the advisor.
MATH 655. Complex Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 501, MATH 455. Topics covered include the general Cauchy theorem, power series and analytic continuation, series and product expansions, conformal mapping and the Dirichlet problem.
MATH 661A-C. Advanced Topics in Algebra, Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics (3-3-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Advanced topics not covered in the previous classes on the subject. Part A covers topics in algebra, Part B covers topics in number theory, and Part C covers other topics in discrete mathematics. May be repeated with the consent of the advisor.
MATH 680A/B. Applied Functional Analysis (3-3)
Prerequisites: MATH 501, MATH 552. This two-semester sequence gives an introduction to Banach and Hilbert spaces and their applications. Fixed Point Theorems and their applications to differential and integral equations and variational principles. Adjoint and self-adjoint operators and spectral theory of linear operators. MATH 680A is a prerequisite for MATH 680B.
MATH 697A-C. Directed Comprehensive Studies (1-3)
No course description.
MATH 698A-C. Thesis or Graduate Project (1-3)
No course description.
MATH 699A-F. Independent Study (1-6)
See Independent Study under courses of study.
PHSC 170. Introduction to Physical Science (4)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Exam or equivalent*, or satisfaction of the ELM exemption requirement. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 210. Survey of the nature, modes of production and limits of scientific knowledge, as well as the major discoveries of chemistry and physics, including atomic and kinetic molecular theory, chemical and physical properties of matter, chemical bonding and reactivity, motion, forces, energy and nuclear phenomena. 4 hours of classroom activity per week, plus outside investigative assignments.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
PHYS 100A. General Physics I (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 103 or MATH 104 or MATH 105, or a score on the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) sufficient for entry into MATH 255A. Introductory course in physics. Topics covered include mechanics, heat and sound. (Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement in General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course PHYS 100AL.)
PHYS 100AL. General Physics I Lab (1)
Prerequisite: MATH 103 or MATH 104 or MATH 105 or a score on the Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) sufficient for entry into MATH 255A. Preparatory or Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 100A. 3 hours per week. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences, General Education, provided PHYS 100A also is completed.)
PHYS 100B. General Physics II (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 100A. Continuation of PHYS 100A. Topics covered include electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. (Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement in General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course PHYS 100BL.)
PHYS 100BL. General Physics II Lab (1)
Prerequisite: PHYS 100A. Preparatory or Recommended Corequisite: PHYS 100B. 3 hours per week. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences, General Education, provided PHYS 100B also is completed.)
PHYS 220A. Mechanics (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 150A or MATH 255A; Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 150B or MATH 255B. Dynamics and statics of particles and rigid bodies, harmonic vibrations and fluid mechanics. (Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement in General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course PHYS 220AL.)
PHYS 220AL. Mechanics Lab (1)
Prerequisite: MATH 150A or MATH 255A. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 150B or MATH 255B and PHYS 220A or PHYS 225. 3 hours per week. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences, General Education, provided PHYS 220A or PHYS 225 also is completed.)
PHYS 220B. Electricity and Magnetism (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 220A; MATH 150B or MATH 255B. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 250. Electric and magnetic fields, circuit theory and electromagnetic induction. (Students using this course to satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement in General Education may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing course PHYS 220BL.)
PHYS 220BL. Electricity and Magnetism Lab (1)
Prerequisites: PHYS 220A or PHYS 225; MATH 150B or MATH 255B. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 250; PHYS 220B or PHYS 226. 3 hours per week. (May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences, General Education, provided PHYS 220B or PHYS 226 also is completed.)
PHYS 225. Physics I (4)
Prerequisite: MATH 150A. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 150B. First course of a sequence intended primarily for physical science majors. Calculus-based course on mechanics, fluids, waves and acoustics.
PHYS 226. Physics II (4)
Prerequisites: MATH 150B; PHYS 225. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 250. Second course of a sequence of courses intended primarily for physical science majors. Calculus-based course on electricity, magnetism and optics.
PHYS 227. Physics III (4)
Prerequisites: MATH 150B; PHYS 226 or PHYS 220B. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: MATH 280. Third course of a sequence of courses intended primarily for physical science majors. Calculus-based course on thermodynamics, waves and modern physics.
PHYS 227L. Physics III Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: PHYS 227. 3 hours per week.
PHYS 301. Analytical Mechanics I (3)
Preparatory: MATH 250, PHYS 280; PHYS 227; Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: PHYS 389. Newtonian mechanics of a single particle, oscillations, systems of particles, central force motion, calculus of variations and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics.
PHYS 305/L. Physics of Music and Laboratory (3/1)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Corequisite: PHYS 305L. This course is currently taught entirely and only online. History and development of the science of sound and music, physical concepts necessary for the study of wave motion, mechanics of the construction of sound and musical tones, and basic physical principles involved in the production of sound in instruments and the human voice, including studies of the production of language. A good understanding of the composition of sounds and musical tones is obtained without detailed mathematics through experiments carried out in the home or other locations using the students computer with installed software. A final project is required. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences.) (IC)
PHYS 311. Electromagnetism I (3)
Preparatory: MATH 250, PHYS 280; PHYS 227; Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: PHYS 389. Vector calculus, electrostatics, magnetostatics, Faradays Law and introduction to Maxwells equations.
PHYS 365. Experimental Physics I (2)
Preparatory: MATH 250, 280; PHYS 227/L; Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: PHYS 389. Advanced experimental techniques in physics, with topics including optics, nuclear physics, thin-film characteristics, microwaves, data acquisition via computer interface, computer simulations, solar observations and other topics chosen by the instructor. This course includes a module on computer analysis in physics using MATLAB. Students are trained in advanced experimental techniques and complete two experimental modules for 2 units of credit. 6 hours per week.
PHYS 366. Experimental Physics II (2)
Preparatory: MATH 250, 280; PHYS 227/L, PHYS 389. Advanced experimental techniques in physics, with topics including optics, nuclear physics, thin-film characteristics, microwaves, data acquisition via computer interface, computer simulations, solar observations and other topics chosen by the instructor. Students are trained in advanced experimental techniques and complete 2 experimental modules for 2 units of credit. 6 hours per week.
PHYS 375. Quantum Physics I (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 301, PHYS 389. Classical background, the wave function, Schroedinger equation, time development and stationary states, 1-dimensional problems, harmonic oscillator and formalism of quantum mechanics.
PHYS 376. Radiologic Physics (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 100A/L, PHYS 100B/L or instructor consent. Specialized course devoted to the nature and production of X-radiation. Topics include the interaction of radiation with matter, attenuation of X-rays and the principles behind radiographic equipment and components.
PHYS 389. Mathematical Methods in Physics I (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 227; MATH 280 or MATH 351. An introduction to the mathematical methods used in junior and senior level physics courses. Topics covered include vector analysis, linear algebra, and partial differentiation.
PHYS 402. Analytical Mechanics II (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 301, PHYS 389. Noninertial reference frames, rigid body motion, coupled oscillations, nonlinear mechanics, scattering, vibrating string and Fourier analysis. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 410. Electromagnetism II (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 301, PHYS 311, PHYS 389. Maxwell’s equations and applications, electromagnetic waves, radiation and special relativity. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 420. Modern Optics (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 311, PHYS 375. Propagation of electromagnetic waves. Geometrical optics. Physical optics, including refraction, reflection, interference, diffraction, and polarization. Atomic spectroscopy. Lasers. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 431. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (4)
Preparatory: PHYS 301, PHYS 375. Laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic potentials, kinetic theory, phase transitions, equilibrium ensembles and related formalism with applications to classical and quantum systems. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 451. Quantum Physics II (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 311, PHYS 375. Hydrogen atom, angular momentum, spin, matrix representation, quantum statistics, perturbation theory and scattering. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 465. Experimental Physics III (2)
Preparatory: PHYS 365. Advanced experimental techniques in physics with topics including optics, nuclear physics, thin-film characteristics, microwaves, data acquisition via computer interface, computer simulations, solar observations and other topics chosen by the instructor. Students are trained in advanced experimental techniques and will complete two experimental modules for 2 units of credit. 6 hours per week.
PHYS 466. Experimental Physics IV (2)
Preparatory: PHYS 365. Advanced experimental techniques in physics with topics including optics, nuclear physics, thin-film characteristics, microwaves, data acquisition via computer interface, computer simulations, solar observations and topics chosen by the instructor. Students are trained in advanced experimental techniques and will complete two experimental modules for 2 units of credit. 6 hours per week.
PHYS 470. Introduction to Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics (3)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: PHYS 451. Production, interactions and structure of subatomic particles, including radioactivity, accelerators, detectors, classification of elementary particles, quark model, nuclear properties, nuclear models and nuclear reactions. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 480. Introduction to Solid State Physics (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 311, PHYS 375. Structure of crystals; electron theory of metals; theory of semiconductors; and mechanical, electrical and magnetic behavior of substances in the solid state. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 489. Mathematical Methods in Physics II (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 389 or graduate standing; Preparatory: MATH 380, PHYS 375 (may be taken concurrently). Topics include complex variables, ordinary and partial differential equations, special functions, and boundary value problems with physical applications. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 490. Computer Applications in Physics (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 301 and PHYS 365, or instructor consent. Applications of numerical analysis and computer programming to the solution of problems in classical and modern physics. Available for graduate credit.
PHYS 493. Physics and Astronomy Colloquium (1-1-1)
Preparatory: Junior, senior or graduate standing in Physics. Series of lectures presented weekly by faculty members and invited speakers on topics of current interest in physics, astronomy and related fields. May be repeated twice for credit.
PHYS 495A-C. Directed Undergraduate Research (1-3)
Preparatory: PHYS 365; Senior-standing. Program of original, independent research to be carried out under the direction of one of the physics faculty. May be repeated for credit: maximum six units.
PHYS 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Physics (1-3)
Experimental courses in Physics, with course content to be determined.
PHYS 497. Senior Project (3)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This is a senior project course. In it, students work independently throughout the semester on a project assigned by their faculty advisor. Students are required to find a faculty advisor before the course starts. Student project work is done independently, but class will meet weekly to discuss progress, practice talks, writing, and work on practice problems before taking a comprehensive exam in the last week of the semester. Students will write a report and give a presentation on their project at the end of the semester.
PHYS 498. Undergraduate Thesis (3)
Preparatory: Admission to Honors Program in Physics.
PHYS 499. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under Courses of Study.
PHYS 585. Computational Materials Theory (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 451 or PHYS 650 or instructor permission. Introduction to the mathematical and physical principles underlying computational materials theory based on quantum mechanics. Topics will include the density functional theory– the cornerstone of modern electronic structure calculations for atoms, molecules, and solids. We will also cover quantum transport, magnetism, and many body physics. The emphasis is to develop theoretical models for real materials and solve the problem by applying advanced numerical methods. The course is aimed at advanced undergraduates and graduate students in understanding advanced physics in material science through hands-on research projects.
PHYS 595A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (1-3)
No course description.
PHYS 600. Classical Mechanics (4)
Preparatory: PHYS 402, PHYS 410, PHYS 451. Advanced course in classical mechanics, with topics selected from Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, continuum mechanics, nonlinear systems and chaos.
PHYS 601. Selected Topics in Astrophysics (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 375, PHYS 402, PHYS 410. Advanced treatment of the observational and theoretical foundations of astrophysics. Topics may include stellar structure, radio sources, relativistic cosmology, the origin of the elements and galaxy formation.
PHYS 610. Electromagnetic Theory (4)
Preparatory: PHYS 410, PHYS 489. Advanced theoretical treatment of the electrostatic field with introduction of mathematical techniques. Introduction to electromagnetic waves and radiation from sources.
PHYS 630. Statistical Physics (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 431, PHYS 451, PHYS 600. Theoretical foundations of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics for equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. Applications to Bose and Fermi assemblies, real gases, liquids, solids, solutions, phase transitions and chemical reactions.
PHYS 640. General Relativity (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 402, PHYS 410. Introduction to the mathematics and physics of curved space-time. Gravitational fields as curvature of space-time. Einsteins gravitational field equations, solutions and experimental tests. Application to topics of current interest in relativistic astrophysics, particle physics and field theory.
PHYS 650. Quantum Mechanics I (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 451. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: PHYS 600. Mathematical foundation of quantum theory. Scattering theory. Angular momentum and spin. Identical particles. Heisenberg and Schrodinger representations. Perturbation theory.
PHYS 651. Quantum Mechanics II (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 650. Relativistic wave equations. Advanced scattering theory. Selected topics from quantum theory of atoms and molecules.
PHYS 680. Solid State Physics I (3)
Preparatory: PHYS 451 or PHYS 480. Advanced treatment of condensed matter physics. Topics include crystal structure, cohesive energy, lattice vibrations, Sommerfeld theory of metals, electronic structure theory and theory of semiconductors.
PHYS 696A-C. Directed Graduate Research (1-3)
No course description.
PHYS 697. Directed Comprehensive Studies (1)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate coordinator. (Credit/No Credit Only)
PHYS 698. Thesis (3-6)
Preparatory: Classified graduate status; Permission of the department; Instructor’s consent to serve as thesis advisor. Dissertation of a specialized advanced topic in physics such as a critical evaluation and extension of an existing theoretical treatment, the construction and use of advanced research apparatus or an original theoretical analysis.
PHYS 699. Independent Study (1-6)
Preparatory: At least one graduate course in Physics; Instructor consent. Investigation of a special topic in physics, with emphasis on advanced theoretical or experimental skills. See Independent Study under Courses of Study.
SCI 100. Science for Life (3)
This course gives college students the skills and knowledge to promote success and instill lifelong learning with emphasis in science, mathematics and technology. The course will provide students with tools to examine their personal, academic and career choices through introspection, consultation, discussion, experimentation and traditional classroom exercises using examples from the natural world. The course is suggested for freshmen in science-based majors or those exploring these majors. Enrollment limited to First-time Freshman only. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.) (IC)
SCI 111/L. Understanding Climate Change and Lab (3/1)
Corequisite: SCI 111L. Severe global climate change will have disastrous consequences for Earth’s population. This course will develop the basic science behind the predictions for Earth’s climate, and explain why human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases, are the main driver of global warming. Course topics include the causes of climate change, its impacts, projections for the future, possible mitigation, and economic barriers imposed by the global capitalist system. Laboratory exercises include climate prediction modeling, the use of proxy data, and examination of the impacts of climate change. 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab/week. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from either SCI 111/L, GEOG 111/L, or SUST 111/L. (Available for General Education, Natural Sciences lecture and laboratory requirements.)
SCI 456. Science Capstone (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of course 1 and course 2 of science specialization. Recommended Preparatory Courses: PHYS 170, GEOL/GEOG 106LRS. The capstone course will emphasize concepts from the physical science, earth science and life science content areas with an emphasis on scientific investigation and problem solving. Students will integrate crosscutting themes across the sciences such as patterns, cause and effect, scale, energy and matter flow, structure and function, and stability and change. Students will design and carry out scientific investigation projects that allow them to apply their knowledge of scientific practice and scientific concepts. LRS students will connect their own understanding of the sciences with the conceptual understanding of K-6 children. Students will read, discuss, and write about selected research articles assessing problem solving and connections to learning science in elementary classrooms. This course is intended for Multiple Subject Credential students only.