Biology Major

The Biology major with subplans in Botany, General Biology, Microbiology, and Zoology stresses a balance between the theoretical aspects of biology and actual experience in the field and laboratory. The variety of courses offered in a flexible curriculum provides an opportunity for a wide range of experience in biological sciences.

Zoology Subplan

The offerings of this curriculum provide the student with a preparation for graduate and professional schools in fields ranging from molecular to field biology. The curriculum prepares prospective teachers for the secondary education credential. Graduate courses enable students to complete requirements for the community college credential. For those planning a career as a secondary school teacher a credential is required. Contact department office for additional information.

Required Core Courses for Major: 19 units

• BIO 122/122L - Foundations of Biology: Reproduction and Development (3/2)
• BIO 123/123L - Foundations of Biology: Biodiversity (3/2)
• BIO 211/211L - Biometrics (3/1)
• BIO 303 - Genetics (4)
• BIO 490 - Scientific Communication (1)

Required Subplan/Option Core Courses: 27 units

• BIO 310 - Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
• BIO 325/325L - Principles of Ecology (3/1)
• BIO 413 - Principles of Evolution (4)
• ZOO 237/237L - Introduction to Invertebrate Zoology (3/2)
• ZOO 238/238L - Introduction to Vertebrate Zoology (3/2)
• ZOO 428/428L - Animal Physiology (4/1)

Elective Subplan/Option Core Courses: 22 units

22 units of upper division courses must be completed from approved courses included in one of two clusters (Physiology and Neuroscience/Biodiversity and Systematics). Students do not need to declare a cluster. Courses may be chosen from either of the two clusters indicated below; however, a minimum of 3 units must be completed from each cluster. See below for approved courses.

Required Support Courses: 61 units

The following major support courses should be used to satisfy the indicated GE requirements. If these courses are not used to satisfy GE, the total units to degree may be more than 180 units.

• BIO 121/121L - Foundations of Biology: Energy and Matter - Cycles and Flows (3/2) (B2, B3)

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• BIO 304 - Environment and Society (4) (B5) or
• BIO 340 - Biodiversity Conservation (4) (B5)

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• CHM 121 - General Chemistry (3) (B1) and
• CHM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory (1) (B3)

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• CHM 122 - General Chemistry (3) and
• CHM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory (1)

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• CHM 123 - General Chemistry (3) and
• CHM 123L - General Chemistry Laboratory (1)

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• CHM 201 - Elements of Organic Chemistry (3) and
• CHM 250L - Elements of Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)

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• CHM 321/321L - Elements of Biochemistry (3/1)

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• ENG 105 - Freshman English II (4) (A3) or
• PHL 202 - Critical Thinking (4) (A3)

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• ENG 107 - Stretch Composition III (4) (A2) or
• ENG 109 - Advanced Stretch Composition II (4) (A2) or
• ENG 110 - First-Year Composition (4) (A2)

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• MAT 120 - Calculus for the Life Sciences (4) (B4)

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• PHY 121 - College Physics (3) and
• PHY 121L - College Physics Laboratory (1)

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• PHY 122 - College Physics (3) and
• PHY 122L - College Physics Laboratory (1)

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• PHY 123 - College Physics (3) and
• PHY 123L - College Physics Laboratory (1)

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• STA 120 - Statistics with Applications (4) (B4)

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• FN 203 - Health, Nutrition and the Integrated Being (4) (E)

• or

• PSY 201 - General Psychology (4) (E)

• or

• PSY 210 - Mind, Brain, and Behavior: An Integrated View (4) (E)

• or

• SCI 101/101A - Science and Mathematics: Freshman Experience I (1/1) (E) and
• SCI 102/102A - Science and Mathematics: Freshman Experience II (1/1) (E)

Elective Support Courses: 11 units

Approved electives include any 200, 300, or 400-level courses in the Biological Sciences Department not specifically designed for non-majors. Only 2 units of BIO 200  or BIO 400  allowed. Only 4 units of BIO 441  or BIO 461  allowed. Only 2 units of BIO 462  allowed. Approved electives include any advanced chemistry or math course. See advisor for approval of courses offered by other departments.

General Education Requirements: 68 units

Students should consult the Academic Programs website https://www.cpp.edu/~academic-programs/general-education-course-listings.shtml for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are stated under Support Courses, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

Area A. Communication and Critical Thinking (12 units)

1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Critical Thinking

Area B. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (16 units)

1. Physical Science
2. Biological Science
3. Laboratory Activity
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
5. Science and Technology Synthesis

Area C. Humanities (16 units)

1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. Philosophy and Civilization
3. Literature and Foreign Languages
4. Humanities Synthesis

Area D. Social Sciences (20 units)

1. U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals
2. History, Economics, and Political Science
3. Sociology, Anthropology, Ethnic and Gender Studies
4. Social Science Synthesis

Area E. Lifelong Understanding and Self-development (4 units)