Biology

Dr. Isabelle Haithcox, Chair, (650) 508-3496, ihaithcox@ndnu.edu

The Natural Sciences Department offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. A Master of Arts in Teaching Biology is available in collaboration with the School of Education and Leadership. Degrees in the Department lead directly to employment, graduate study, or entrance into professional schools in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, allied health, or education. The Department offers a selection of courses satisfying Core Curriculum Requirements and encourages students in other majors to pursue a minor in the Natural Sciences. 

The program is structured to provide interdisciplinary study in the Natural Sciences and to promote interaction among faculty and students in all fields.  The Biology major provides students with the breadth of knowledge and strong skills necessary for careers in the biological sciences.  By choosing elective courses with their advisor, Biology majors can focus their studies in Cell and Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Organismal Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Science, or Forensic Science.

All incoming students intending to major in an area of the Natural Sciences must take the placement examinations for: Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.  Having declared their major, a prospective biology student must achieve a score of 89% or better on the biology placement examination; if that level is not attained, the student must take BIO1009 or its equivalent and earn a B or better before being allowed to take further biology courses.  AP biology courses, or examinations, will not be considered as substitutes.  Transfer students must submit proof of successful (B or better) completion of a course equivalent to BIO1009 or take the biology placement examination.

Bachelor of Science: Biology

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.
Prerequisites		Units
BIO1101/1101L	General Biology I	3/1
BIO1103/1103L	General Biology II	3/1
CHE1202/1202L	General Chemistry I	3/1
CHE1204/1204L	General Chemistry II	3/1
CHE2203/2203L	Organic Chemistry I	3/1
CHE2205/2205L	Organic Chemistry II	3/1
MTH1320 or MTH1322 or MTH2502	Calculus I (4) Applied Calculus (4) Statistics (3)	3-4
PHY1003/1003Land PHY1205/1205L or PHY1304/1304Land PHY1306/1306L	College Physics I College Physics II Physics for Scientists I Physics for Scientists II	8
Total Prerequisites		39-40
Major Requirements		Units
BIO2200/2200L	Developmental Biology	3/1
BIO2210/2210L	Human Physiology	3/2
BIO2215/2215L	Genetics	3/1
BIO2275/2275L	General Microbiology	3/2
BIO2277/2277L or CHE2370/2370L	Immunology Biochemistry I	3/1
Upper-division electives in Biology approved by the advisor		8
Total Major Requirements		30
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives * Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History).		57
Total Unit Requirement		124
Biology Elective Courses
BIO1465	Natural Sciences Seminar (1)
BIO2108/2108L	Contemporary Environmental Issues (3/1)
BIO2114/2114L	An Introduction to the Diverse World of Plants (3/1)
BIO2124	Forensic Science (4)
BIO2132/2132L	General Ecology (3/1)
BIO2138/2138L	Environmental Toxicology (3/1)
BIO2143/2143L	Invertebrate Zoology (3/1)
BIO2148/2148L	Vertebrate Zoology (3/1)
BIO2252/2252L	Cellular and Molecular Biology (3/1)
BIO2354	Molecular Biology for Computer Scientists (3)
BIO2884	Research (1-3)
BIO2994	Laboratory Assistant (1-3)
BIO2997	Honors Thesis Research (2-4)
BIO2999	Independent Study in Biology (1-3)
CHE2210/2210L	Chemical Analysis and Instrumental Methods (3/2)
CHE2312/2312L	Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences (3/1)
CHE2370/2370L	Biochemistry I (3/1)
CHE2375/2375L	Biochemistry II (3/1)
NSC2012	Introduction to Nutrition (3)
PHY2000/2000L	Science in Action (3/1)
Future medical, dental, veterinary medicine, or graduate students are advised to take PHY1304, PHY1304L, PHY1306, PHY1306L and MTH1220. Biology majors are encouraged to fulfill the Career Development requirement with an appropriate internship. Students anticipating graduate study should consult the individual schools to which they intend to apply for specific undergraduate course requirements.

Bachelor of Arts: Biology

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.
Prerequisites		Units
BIO1101/1101L	General Biology I	3/1
BIO1103/1103L	General Biology II	3/1
CHE1202/1202L	General Chemistry I	3/1
CHE1204/1204L	General Chemistry II	3/1
CHE2203/2203L	Organic Chemistry I	3/1
CHE2205/2205L	Organic Chemistry II	3/1
MTH1214	College Algebra	3
MTH2502	Statistics	3
PHY1003/1003L	General Physics I
PHY1205/1205L	General Physics II
Total Prerequisites		30
Major Requirements		Units
BIO2200/2200L	Developmental Biology	3/1
BI02210/2210L	Human Physiology	3/2
BIO2215/2215L	Genetics	3/1
BIO2275/2275L	General Microbiology	3/2
BIO2277/2277L or CHE2370/2370L	Immunology Biochemistry I	3/1
Upper-division electives in Biology approved by the advisor		8
Total Major Requirements		30
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives * Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History).		64
Total Unit Requirement		124

Minor Requirements: Biology

Required Courses		Units
BIO1101/1101L	General Biology I	3/1
BIO1103/1103L	General Biology II	3/1
CHE1101 or	Introductory Chemistry	3
CHE1202/1202L	General Chemistry I	3/1
CHE1204/1204L	General Chemistry II	3/1
Upper-division units in Biology, approved by Department Chair		12