Biology

Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology

Emphases include:
Cellular/molecular biology
Ecology
Environmental biology
General biology
Marine biology
Microbiology
Special major

Minor in Biology
Science Teaching Credential
Master of Arts degree with a major in Biology
College Faculty Preparation Program: Biology

Department Chair
John Reiss, Ph.D.

Department of Biological Sciences
Science Complex B 221
(707) 826-3245

The Program

Students completing this program will have demonstrated:

understanding of the process of formulating alternate, testable hypotheses, to employ the methods of science to gather and interpret data in testing those hypotheses, and to distinguish scientific reasoning from other types of thought
literacy in the language of science, which includes the use of mathematical equations, quantitative data, analytical procedures, and the representation of data in graphs, tables, diagrams, and in written expression
understanding of the mechanisms that all life forms possess to extract, transform, and use energy from their environment in ways that allow for their maintenance, growth, and reproduction
awareness of the interconnectedness of life on earth and that all biological processes occur with both a genealogical (evolutionary) and organizational (molecules, cells, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere) framework
understanding that descent with modification has shaped all biological processes and that biological evolution offers the only logical scientific explanation for the simultaneous unity and diversity of life on earth

Humboldt offers diverse facilities, including the largest greenhouse in the California State University system. Near the campus are many parks, forests, and undisturbed habitats for studying plants and animals in their natural surroundings.

A well-equipped biotechnology laboratory and a Biology Core facility have been designed to give Humboldt State’s students first-hand access to proven DNA analysis techniques. Scanning and transmission electron microscopes are available for student use.

Students also use a large invertebrate museum and a vertebrate museum containing bones and skins of animals.

Humboldt’s marine laboratory, located on the coast in the nearby town of Trinidad, gives students splendid opportunities for marine biology projects. The research vessel, the Coral Sea, is used for seagoing field trips. Several smaller boats are used in nearshore waters, coastal lagoons, and Humboldt Bay.

Biologists have many job opportunities: teacher, biological technician, food and drug specialist, museum curator, science librarian, clinical lab technologist, agricultural inspector, industrial hygienist, pest control technician, chemical analyst, laboratory technician, public health microbiologist, field biologist, marine biologist.

Preparation

In high school take biology, chemistry, and physics (with labs, if possible); beginning and intermediate algebra; geometry; and trigonometry.

Requirements for the Major

Students who receive a grade below a C- in any prerequisite course will require instructor approval for enrollment.

Cellular/Molecular Biology Emphasis

LOWER DIVISION

Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division work.

UPPER DIVISION

BIOL 307 Evolution
BIOL 340 Genetics
BIOL 410 Cell Biology
BIOL 412 General Bacteriology
BIOL 440 Genetics Lab

BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry or
CHEM 321/CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry

CHEM 438 Introductory Biochemistry or
CHEM 431/CHEM 432 Biochemistry

BIOL 490 Senior Thesis or
BIOL 499 Directed Study

Ecology Emphasis

LOWER DIVISION

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
BOT 105 General Botany
ZOOL 110 Introductory Zoology
CHEM 109 General Chemistry
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat
PHYX 118 College Physics: Biological Applications
MATH 105 Calculus for Biological Sciences and Natural Resources*
BIOM 109 Introductory Biometrics

Choose one from the following:

GEOL 109 General Geology
OCN 109 General Oceanography
FISH 320 Limnology
SOIL 260 Introduction to Soils
GEOG 106 Physical Geography

UPPER DIVISION

CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry

BIOL 340 Genetics or
BIOL 345 Genetics with Population Emphasis

BIOL 307 Evolution
BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology

BIOL 431 Population Ecology or
WLDF 478 Ecology of Wildlife Populations

BIOL 432 Community Ecology

BIOM 333 Intermediate Statistics or
BIOM 408 Experimental Design and ANOVA

BIOL 438 Field Ecology or
BIOL 490 Senior thesis

One course from the following:

ZOOL 310 General Animal Physiology
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology

Two courses from the following:

ZOOL 314 Invertebrate Zoology
ZOOL 316 Freshwater Invertebrates
ZOOL 352 Natural History of the Vertebrates
ZOOL 358 General Entomology
FISH 310 Ichthyology
ZOOL 354 Herpetology
WLDF 365 Ornithology I
ZOOL 356 Mammology
ZOOL 556 Marine Mammology
BOT 350 Plant Taxonomy
BOT 354 Agrostology
BOT 355 Lichens and Bryophytes
BOT 353 Phycology
BOT 359 Biology Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes
BOT 358 Biology of Microfungi
BIOL 412 General Bacteriology

Upper division electives:

At least two upper division courses in the ecological or biological sciences to be chosen in consultation with advisor. Courses taken to satisfy this requirement should be chosen to provide subject breadth, rather than a particular focus of study.

HSU offers a diverse array of ecology courses in a number of departments (Biology, Botany, Zoology, Fisheries, Oceanography, Wildlife, Forestry, Geology). Some of these ecology courses are habitat focused (i.e. marine, freshwater, desert, forest), or they may be focused on particular organisms (plants, insects, microorganism, invertebrates, etc). Courses chosen to satisfy this requirment must be approved by an Ecology advisor.

Environmental Biology Emphasis

LOWER DIVISION

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
BIOM 109 Introductory Biometrics
BOT 105 General Botany
CHEM 109 General Chemistry
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources (A full year of calculus, MATH 109 & 110, may substitute for MATH 105.)
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat
PHYX 118 College Physics: Biological Applications
ZOOL 110 Introductory Zoology

CHEM 110 General Chemistry or
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry

Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division work.

UPPER DIVISION

BIOL 307 Evolution
BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology

BIOL 340 Genetics or
BIOL 345 Genetics with Population Emphasis

BIOL 410 Cell Biology or
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

Two courses in plant groups from:
BOT 350 Plant Taxonomy
BOT 353 Phycology
BOT 354 Agrostology
BOT 355 Lichens & Bryophytes
BOT 359 Biology of the Ascomycetes & Basidiomycetes
BOT 360/BOT 360L Biology of the Fleshy Fungi/Lab

Two courses in animal groups from:
FISH 310 Ichthyology
WLDF 365 Ornithology I
ZOOL 314 Invertebrate Zoology
ZOOL 316 Freshwater Aquatic Invertebrates
ZOOL 352 Natural History of the Vertebrates
ZOOL 354 Herpetology
ZOOL 356 Mammalogy
ZOOL 358 General Entomology
ZOOL 556 Marine Mammals

One course in anatomy and morphology from:
BOT 321 Developmental Plant Anatomy
BOT 372 Evolutionary Morphology of Plants
ZOOL 370 Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates
ZOOL 374 Introduction to Human Anatomy

Two courses in practical applications from:
BIOL 412 General Bacteriology
BOT 394 Forest Pathology
BOT 458 Pollination Biology
BOT 553 Marine Macrophyte Ecology
NRPI 360 Natural Resource Planning Methods
REC 330 Outdoor Education
SOC 320 Social Ecology
SOIL 260 Introduction to Soil Science
WLDF 460 Conservation Biology
ZOOL 430 Comparative Animal Behavior
ZOOL 452 Parasitology

Or other courses selected in consultation with an advisor

One unit of
BIOL 490 Senior Thesis or
BIOL 499 Directed Study

General Biology Emphasis

LOWER DIVISION

Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division work.

UPPER DIVISION

BIOL 307 Evolution
BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 412 General Bacteriology

BIOL 340 Genetics or
BIOL 345 Genetics with Population Emphasis

BIOL 410 Cell Biology or
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

CHEM 321/CHEM 322 Organic Chemistry or
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry

At least 15 units of upper division courses in biological sciences, chosen in consultation with an academic advisor

Marine Biology Emphasis

LOWER DIVISION

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
BIOM 109 Introductory Biometrics
BOT 105 General Botany
CHEM 109 General Chemistry
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources (A full year of calculus, MATH 109 & 110, may substitute for MATH 105.)
OCN 109 General Oceanography
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat
PHYX 118 College Physics: Biological Applications
ZOOL 110 Introductory Zoology

Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division work.

UPPER DIVISION

BIOL 307 Evolution
BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 340 Genetics
BIOL 412 General Bacteriology
BIOL 430 Intertidal Ecology
BOT 353 Phycology
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry
ZOOL 314 Invertebrate Zoology

BIOL 410 Cell Biology or
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

An additional course in vertebrate zoology or
ZOOL 430 Comparative Animal Behavior, chosen in consultation with an advisor

One unit of
BIOL 490 Senior Thesis or
BIOL 499 Directed Study

Microbiology Emphasis

LOWER DIVISION

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
BIOM 109 Introductory Biometrics
BOT 105 General Botany
CHEM 109/CHEM 110 General Chemistry
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources (A full year of calculus, MATH 109 & 110, may substitute for MATH 105.)
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat
PHYX 118 College Physics: Biological Applications
ZOOL 110 Introductory Zoology

Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division work.

UPPER DIVISION

BIOL 307 Evolution
BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 340 Genetics
BIOL 412 General Bacteriology
BIOL 433 Microbial Ecology
BIOL 440 Genetics Laboratory
BOT 358 Biology of the Microfungi
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry

CHEM 431/CHEM 432 Biochemistry or
CHEM 438 Introductory Biochemistry

BIOL 410 Cell Biology or
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

BIOL 490 Senior Thesis or
BIOL 499 Directed Study

Science (Biology) Teaching Credential

See Science Teacher (Biology).

Special Major

LOWER DIVISION

Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division work.

UPPER DIVISION

Four required courses:
BIOL 307 Evolution
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry
BIOL 330 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 340 Genetics

One of the following:
BIOL 410 Cell Biology or
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

Plus additional courses (chosen in consultation with an advisor) meeting the needs of the student which bring the total to at least 30 units in upper division biological sciences

Requirements for the Minor

Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all prerequisite courses.

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
BOT 105 General Botany
ZOOL 110 Introductory Zoology

One of the following:
BIOL 410 Cell Biology or
BOT 310 General Plant Physiology or
ZOOL 310 Animal Physiology

An additional eight upper division units (approved by the minor advisor) in at least two of these three areas: biology, botany, zoology.

Master's Degree Requirements

Students completing this program will have demonstrated:

independent scientific research in the biological sciences
collection, analysis, communication, and dissemination of scientific information
undergraduate teaching experience

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Bachelor's degree in biology, botany, zoology, or a related subject area approved by the department of biological sciences
Undergraduate GPA at least 2.5 overall or 3.0 for the last 60 semester units of credit
Submitted results of the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

30 upper division or graduate units in biological sciences or supporting courses approved by the graduate committee, including BIOL 683 and 684 (normally taken at the first opportunity) and two seminars (BIOL 685). A minimum of 18 units must be at the graduate level.
Combined total of not less than four nor more than eight units of BIOL 690 and/or 699 (with a maximum of six units in 690) and a thesis approved by the graduate committee
While in residence, enrollment in a minimum of two units per semester of BIOL 690 or 699
Oral presentation of the thesis work and defense of the thesis before the graduate committee

College Faculty Preparation Program

A Graduate Certificate in College Teaching: Biology

This discipline-specific program is designed to better prepare the graduate student interested in a teaching career at the community college or university level. Participation requires completion of, or current enrollment in, the biology master's program.

The certificate consists of five components (12 units), described below. After consulting with your graduate advisor, and under the advisement of the College Faculty Preparation Program coordinator, develop a plan of study tailored to meet your specific timelines and professional goals. The CFPP coordinator and the dean for Research and Graduate Studies must approve each plan of study.

Notation of certificate completion will appear on your official university transcript.

1) Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods

Introduces undergraduate biology teaching through a practical presentation of the processes and issues involved in laboratory instruction. Three units, taken first or second semester of the MA program:
BIOL 597 Methods of Laboratory Instruction and
BIOL 683 Introduction to Graduate Studies

2) Higher Education Teaching Methods

Guidance in the skills and knowledge relevant to teaching in higher education. Three units, taken first or second semester of the MA program:
EDUC 583 Teaching in Higher Education

Certificate requirements #3 & #4 come after completion of #1 (Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods) and after or concurrent with #2 (Higher Education Teaching Methods).

3) Professional Development Seminar

Explore the nature and philosophy of postsecondary institutions and their roles and functions in higher education. One unit, concurrent with the fourth requirement, which follows.
SP 684 Orientation to Higher Education

4) Mentored Teaching Internship Experience

One of the following tracks:

Community College Track
Three units of a mentored teaching experience at College of the Redwoods.
SP 683 College Faculty Preparation Internship (Note: Students successfully completing this course may apply in later semesters for a paid CR Faculty Internship if positions are available.)

OR

Pre-doctoral College Track
Three units of mentored teaching experience at HSU.
BIOL 700 In-Service Professional Training in Biology

5) Capstone Experience

Guidance in developing a professional teaching portfolio and job-search support materials. Two units, taken after all previous components have been completed.
SP 685 Instructional Resources for Higher Education

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