Mar 29, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2022-2023 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, B.S.


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The B.S. in Biology degree prepares students for a variety of careers following graduation. Substantial numbers of students go on to health professional schools to study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine. Other students go on to various graduate programs in the basic biological sciences (e.g., physiology, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, marine biology, ecology, etc.), college teaching, and positions in industry and in research and development.

Student learning outcomes for the B.S. degree in Biology:


  • Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of biological systems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of biological systems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of information flow, exchange, and storage in biological systems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of pathways and transformations of energy and matter in biological systems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the interconnections and interactions in biological systems
  • Be able to apply the scientific method to solve problems in biology
  • Effectively communicate biological concepts in written and oral forms
  • Have experience using field and laboratory skills
  • Apply computational and quantitative methods to describe biological systems

Major Requirements, Lower Division: B.S. in Biology


Note:


(MATH 131 , MATH 132  may be substituted for MATH 122 , MATH 123 )

* A student must complete with a C (2.0) average the lower division requirements indicated by asterisks, including a C (2.0) average in BIOL 101 BIOL 102 , BIOL 111 , BIOL 112 , BIOL 201 , and BIOL 202 , prior to becoming eligible to take any upper division biology course.

Major Requirements, Upper Division: B.S. in Biology


27 (B.S.) upper division semester hours in Biology, to be selected from the groups listed below, and include at least 7 lecture and 4 laboratory courses (these may include lecture/lab combinations, which are 4 semester hours, and a 2-semester-hour seminar or research course.

The following are required (a-h below):

(a) One course in Cell/Organism Function to be selected from:


(c) One course in Organismal Diversity to be selected from:


(d) One course in Populations to be selected from:


(e) Four laboratory courses to be selected from:


Note:


CHEM 371  can be used to count as an upper division biology lab in the major. Students who are minoring or majoring in biochemistry cannot use CHEM 371  to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major. 

Note:


Classes above can only satisfy ONE area (a-d), even if listed in more than one.

(f) One 2-semester-hour 500-level seminar or research course


(g) Additional upper division biology courses (3 courses for the B.S.)


CHEM 370  can be used to count as an upper division biology elective in the major.  In addition, one other upper division non-biology course can be used to count as an upper division biology elective in the major.  

Students who wish to take a non-biology course (besides CHEM 370 ) for upper division biology elective credit must receive approval from the chairperson of the biology department prior to taking the course. 

Students who are minoring or majoring in biochemistry cannot use CHEM 370  to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major. 

(h) The above requirements (a-g) must also include:


(i) One plant biology course to be selected from:


(ii) One field biology course to be selected from:


Note:


BIOL 312  can satisfy only one of these two categories (either plant OR field, not both).

Upper division biology courses may be taken as electives. Students preparing for specific graduate careers should discuss appropriate courses with their advisors.

To graduate as a biology major, a student must accumulate a C (2.0) average in all major requirements.

B.S. Degree–Biology Curriculum


(124 S.H.)*

Freshman Year


Total: 16 semester hours

Total: 16-17 semester hours

Sophomore Year


Fall Semester


Total: 15 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 15 semester hours

Junior Year


Fall Semester


  • BIOL Upper Division 4 semester hours
  • 4 semester hours ***
  • University Core 4 semester hours
  •  

  • University Core 4 semester hours or
  • Elective 4 semester hours****
Total: 16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • BIOL Upper Division 4 semester hours
  • BIOL Upper Division 3 semester hours
  • 4 semester hours
  • University Core 4 semester hours
Total: 15 semester hours

Senior Year


Fall Semester


  • BIOL Upper Division 4 semester hours
  • BIOL Upper Division 3 semester hours
  • BIOL Seminar or Research 2 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 4 semester hours
Total: 16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • BIOL Upper Division 4 semester hours
  • BIOL Upper Division 3 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3 semester hours
  • Elective 3 semester hours
  • Elective 3 semester hours
Total: 16 semester hours

Total: 124 semester hours


* A minimum of 124 semester hours including 45 upper division hours are required to complete the degree.

** The course sequence in Mathematics depends on the results of the Mathematics Placement Exam.

*** Students who have completed MATH 122  or MATH 131  may begin the physics sequence in the Fall semester of either the sophomore or junior year.

**** A minimum of 32 core semester hours are required. The sequence of the University Core courses should be discussed with the student’s advisor.

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