DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMS
Students earning a B.S. degree in Biology must choose one of five option areas:
- General
- Ecology, Evolution, and the Environment (EEE)
- Microbiology
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental (MCD) Biology
- Physiology
The B.S. degree in Biology requires 58 units of common core requirements that all Biology majors take, and 23 units in the option that include required and elective courses. Students also complete 39 units of University and General Education courses. Program details can be found in the University Catalog, B.S in Biology
The Department of Biological Sciences offers an honors program in biology or microbiology for upper-division students who have completed 70-semester units, including 30 units in the major, with a minimum B (3.0) grade point average both overall and in the major. Students shall have completed at least 18 units of the major in residence at Cal State L.A.
The honors program introduces highly motivated students to an intensive research experience in biology. Honor students are mentored by a faculty adviser and two other faculty committee members. Enrollment in BIOL 3960 or MICR 3690, Honors Thesis, for 2 units and enrollment in BIOL 4990 or MICR 4990, Undergraduate Directed Study, for 1 unit, prior to or concurrently with BIOL 3960 or MICR 3960, is required. Students can apply these units to their degree program. A prospectus, a written thesis, and a final oral examination about the thesis, administered by the committee, are required parts of the program. Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Biology/Microbiology”.
Department Honors Forms
Departmental Honors Prospectus Form