College of Natural Sciences

BA in Biological Sciences

Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to becoming Northern California’s premier facility for the education of students, the creation of insightful researchers, skilled professionals, and knowledgeable citizens who will have the capacity to meet biological challenges of the future and will continue contributing towards our understanding of life. We introduce our majors to current research and techniques in biological sciences and prepare them for employment opportunities, graduate education, or professional programs of study. Students are strongly encouraged to become involved in faculty research projects in the laboratory and the field.

Students who pursue a B.S. in Biological Sciences choose one of four options. The Cellular and Molecular Biology Option prepares students for professional programs, graduate studies in cellular and molecular biology, or entry-level positions into the biotechnology industry. The Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology Option prepares students for positions within environmental and resource management or graduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology. The Plant Biology Option prepares students for positions in habitat restoration, field botany, forestry or range management, agricultural biotechnology or graduate studies in plant biology.

The B.A. in Biological Sciences is for those students who want a broad background in the biological sciences. For students who intend to become secondary school teachers, this option offers the necessary preparation for earning a single subject credential. This option also allows students to tailor a curriculum to specific needs.

The B. S. in Microbiology is for majors whose choose either the Option in General Microbiology or Clinical Laboratory Science. The General Microbiology Option is designed to prepare students for careers in biotechnology, environmental or industrial microbiology, pharmaceutical and biomedical research, or graduate studies. The Clinical Laboratory Science Option prepares students for an internship to become a clinical laboratory scientist or public health microbiologist.

Mission

The Department of Biological Sciences at CSU, Chico is committed to becoming Northern California’s premier facility for the education of students, the creation of insightful researchers, skilled professionals, and knowledgeable citizens who will have the capacity to meet biological challenges of the future and will continue to contribute towards our understanding of life.

Goals & Objectives

To prepare biology majors for the next step in their careers and help train the next generation of biological scientists. To provide all students at CSU, Chico with an opportunity to learn how to conduct and criticize scientific investigations, and contribute to the expansion of our biological knowledge. To learn significant and relevant biological facts and, serve as a resource of biological expertise for the campus and surrounding community. To contribute to the pool secondary school teachers in the North State.

Learning Outcomes

Biology BA degree program of lower, upper, and elective coursework is designed for single subject competency for secondary education in the School of Education.

All candidates for the award of BA in biology will demonstrate mastery in the following SLOs:

  1. Students can describe the structure, function, and interaction of the components of living cells
  2. Students can demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms driving evolution and can describe similarities and differences of the major taxonomic groups.
  3. Students can describe how cells interact to develop tissues and organs and how these contribute to a functional organism.
  4. Students can describe how organisms interact with one another and to their environment and are able to explain interactions at the population and community levels.
  5. Students demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to use, the processes and methods of scientific inquiry.

Students can formally communicate the results of biological investigations using both oral and written communication skills.