Biological Sciences 154
Phone (323) 343-5270 | natsci@calstatela.edu
The Natural Science Program emphasizes the interrelationships among the several natural science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geoscience, and physics. Students complete one year of study in each of the four areas and choose one area as an emphasis area to study in depth at the upper-division level. Faculty from several departments, including Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geosciences and Environment, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy Courses, are responsible for teaching the courses in the Natural Science program.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science provides broad training across several science disciplines and is offered as three options: Interdisciplinary Science (Option I), Teaching (Option II), and Applied Science (Option III). Natural Science majors choose one option. Majors choosing the Interdisciplinary Science or Teaching option must select an emphasis area (biology, chemistry, geoscience, or physics), and majors choosing the Applied Science option must select an emphasis area in health science or bridge to clinical laboratory science. The bridge to clinical laboratory science emphasis area prepares students to be eligible to apply for post-baccalaureate training programs in clinical laboratory science and is limited to students who have already completed a medical laboratory technician program of coursework and/or have obtained a medical laboratory technician license in the State of California. Students should speak with a Natural Science adviser before choosing an option.
Because the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science provides broad training across several science disciplines, career opportunities for persons with the degree span a wide range. The rapid pace of scientific and technical advances makes a broad understanding of science valuable to careers in academia, business, government, law, medicine, nonprofit organizations (e.g., museums, private foundations), and other fields. The Bachelor of Science degree also serves as a solid foundation for additional training, such as a law degree, medical degree, or teaching credential, that is often required for more advanced career positions.
The Natural Science program of study also satisfies the subject matter requirement for the California Single Subject teaching credential in Science and is a waiver program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The waiver program allows students completing the Natural Science coursework to meet the subject matter requirement without taking the CSET subject matter exams. Persons already holding a bachelor’s degree can complete coursework equivalent to the Natural Science program to fulfill the subject matter requirement for the California Single Subject teaching credential in Science.
The Natural Science program offers students access to excellent faculty across scientific disciplines and who are leaders in pedagogical innovation, scientific research, and teacher preparation. Natural Science majors also have opportunities receive faculty and peer mentoring, participate in early field experiences, and attend information sessions, advisement workshops, and social gatherings. Scholarships provide financial support for students in all disciplines and who meet established criteria, and career fairs and workshops prepare students for the job application process. Natural Science majors may join clubs for future teachers and the campus chapters of the Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi national honor societies. Program graduates have entered a variety of career paths, including government jobs, graduate programs in science, health professional schools, and teaching.
For further information, contact the Natural Science Program by phone at (323) 343-5270 or email at: [email protected].