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  • Biology, B.A.

Biology, B.A.

2025-2026 Edition

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Student Learning Outcomes for the B.A. Degree in Biology

Program graduates will be able to:

  • 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

Students completing a B.A. with a Secondary Science Emphasis will also be able to:

  • Think logically and critically evaluate new information
  • Integrate information from different fields of science
  • Synthesize information and communicate ideas to diverse groups of students
  • Design lessons that engage students in the process of inquiry (NGSS)
  • Connect course content to real life situations and local issues
  • Value ongoing assessment and professional development

Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Semester Hours
Lower Division Requirements
BIOL 1010General Biology I 14
BIOL 1110General Biology I Lab 11
BIOL 1020General Biology II 14
BIOL 1120General Biology II Lab 11
BIOL 1900First Year Biology Seminar0
BIOL 2010Cell Function 14
CHEM 110General Chemistry I 13
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab 11
CHEM 112General Chemistry II 13
CHEM 113General Chemistry II Lab 11
CHEM 220Organic Chemistry I3
Six semester hours of mathematics 1, 26
Three additional semester hours in science to be approved by the Department Chairperson3
Subtotal34
Upper Division Requirements
BIOL 3020Genetics4
An additional 18-19 (B.A.) upper division semester hours in Biology, to be selected from the groups listed below, and include at least 4 lecture and 3 laboratory courses (these may include lecture/lab combinations, which are 5 semester hours).
Organismal Form and Function area requirement. Select one of the following courses: 34
BIOL 3110Plant Interactions
BIOL 3350Comparative Anatomy and lab
BIOL 3400Embryology
BIOL 3430Developmental Biology
BIOL 3510General Physiology
BIOL 3530Plant Physiology
BIOL 3550Plants, Pharmacy, and Medicine
BIOL 3570Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL 3610General Microbiology
BIOL 4400Molecular Neurobiology
BIOL 4460Behavioral Endocrinology
BIOL 4490Immunology
BIOL 4500Physiology of Disease
BIOL 4590Stem Cell Biology
Cell and Molecular area requirement. Select one of the following courses: 34
BIOL 3430Developmental Biology
BIOL 3560Cell Biology
BIOL 3670Biological Databases
BIOL 3700Plant Biotechnology
BIOL 3750Special Topics in Genetics
BIOL 3880Biomathmatical Modeling
BIOL 4370Plant Development
BIOL 4390Molecular Biology Applications
BIOL 4400Molecular Neurobiology
BIOL 4430Molecular Biology
BIOL 4590Stem Cell Biology
BIOL 4780Molecular Genomics with Lab
BIOL 4790Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity area requirement. Select one of the following courses: 34
BIOL 3040Biostatistical Analysis
BIOL 3090Applied Plant Ecology
BIOL 3120Field Botany and Lab
BIOL 3150World Vegetation Ecology
BIOL 3180Ecology with lab
BIOL 3190Coastal Ecology
BIOL 3210Urban Ecology
BIOL 3350Comparative Anatomy and lab
BIOL 3380Animal Behavior with Lab
BIOL 3500Sex and Gender: Beyond the Binary
BIOL 3550Plants, Pharmacy, and Medicine
BIOL 3610General Microbiology
BIOL 4220Marine Biology with Lab
BIOL 4230Marine Conservation Biology
BIOL 4600Environmental Microbiology
BIOL 4740Evolution
BIOL 4750Evolution with Lab
Select one additional upper division biology lecture course 53-4
Laboratory requirement. Select three of the following laboratory courses: 43
BIOL 3120Field Botany and Lab
BIOL 3180Ecology with lab
BIOL 3200Coastal Ecology Lab
BIOL 3220Urban Ecology Lab
BIOL 3250Avian Biology Lab
BIOL 3270Quantifying Biodiversity Field Laboratory
BIOL 3350Comparative Anatomy and lab
BIOL 3380Animal Behavior with Lab
BIOL 3390Animal Behavior Lab
BIOL 3410Embryology Lab
BIOL 3440Developmental Biology Lab
BIOL 3520General Physiology Lab
BIOL 3540Plant Physiology Lab
BIOL 3600Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory
BIOL 3620General Microbiology Lab
BIOL 3630Microbial Genomics Laboratory
BIOL 3640Cell Culture Lab
BIOL 3680Bioinformatics Lab
BIOL 3710Protein Biotechnology Lab
BIOL 3760Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 4220Marine Biology with Lab
BIOL 4240Marine Physiology Lab
BIOL 4380Plant Development Lab
BIOL 4390Molecular Biology Applications
BIOL 4750Evolution with Lab
BIOL 4760Evolution Field Lab
BIOL 4780Molecular Genomics with Lab
Plant requirement. At least one of the upper division courses is one of the following Plant biology courses:
BIOL 3090Applied Plant Ecology
BIOL 3110Plant Interactions
BIOL 3120Field Botany and Lab 6
BIOL 3150World Vegetation Ecology
BIOL 3530Plant Physiology
BIOL 3550Plants, Pharmacy, and Medicine
BIOL 3700Plant Biotechnology
BIOL 4370Plant Development
Field requirement. At least one of the upper division courses is one of the following Field biology lab courses:
BIOL 3120Field Botany and Lab 6
BIOL 3130Field Botany Lab
BIOL 3180Ecology with lab
BIOL 3200Coastal Ecology Lab
BIOL 3220Urban Ecology Lab
BIOL 3250Avian Biology Lab
BIOL 3270Quantifying Biodiversity Field Laboratory
BIOL 3380Animal Behavior with Lab
BIOL 3390Animal Behavior Lab
BIOL 4220Marine Biology with Lab
BIOL 4240Marine Physiology Lab
BIOL 4750Evolution with Lab
BIOL 4760Evolution Field Lab
Subtotal22-23
Total Semester Hours56-57
1

A student must complete with a C (2.0) average the courses indicated, including a C (2.0) average in BIOL 1010 General Biology I, BIOL 1020 General Biology II, BIOL 1110 General Biology I Lab, BIOL 1120 General Biology II Lab, and BIOL 2010 Cell Function prior to becoming eligible to take any upper division biology course.

2

to include MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I

3

Courses can only satisfy one of the area requirements, even if listed in more than one area.

4

CHEM 371 Biochemistry Lab 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 Biochemistry Lab to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major.

5

CHEM 370 Biochemistry and/or HSEG 515 Healthcare Delivery Systems can be used to count as an upper division biology elective in the major.  If neither or only one of those is taken, 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 Biochemistry or HSEG 515 Healthcare Delivery Systems) 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 Biochemistry to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major.

6

BIOL 3120 Field Botany and Lab can be used to satisfy either the Plant or Field requirement, but not both. 

Note:
All lower-division and upper-division biology classes must be taken in residence at LMU.

Upper division biology courses that are taken to fulfill requirements for a different major or minor may not be used to fulfill biology major course requirements.

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.A. Degree–Biology Secondary Science Education Emphasis Curriculum

The goal of the B.A. with a Secondary Science Emphasis is to produce students that can become teachers who are confident in their ability to implement the next generation science standards (NGSS), to adapt to future changes, and who have the capacity to teach science as a process of inquiry and excite curiosity in their students. A student who has successfully completed the  program should possess the knowledge and expertise that will enable him/her to become a confident, enthusiastic, and effective teacher.

For the B.A. in Biology, Secondary Science Education Emphasis, the prescribed 32 upper division semester hours provide the depth of subject matter content desired by the State of California. Unlike the B.S. and B.A. in Biology, the SSE curriculum includes specific Biology course requirements rather than a choice of classes within different area requirements.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Semester Hours
Lower Division Requirements
BIOL 1010General Biology I4
BIOL 1110General Biology I Lab1
BIOL 1020General Biology II4
BIOL 1120General Biology II Lab1
BIOL 1900First Year Biology Seminar0
BIOL 2010Cell Function4
CHEM 110General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 112General Chemistry II3
CHEM 113General Chemistry II Lab1
CHEM 220Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry I Lab1
ENVS 250Earth System Science3
MATH 122Calculus for the Life Sciences I 13
MATH 123Calculus for the Life Sciences II 13-4
or MATH 205 Applied Statistics
PHYS 2500General Physics I4
PHYS 2550General Physics II4
PHYS 2710Astronomy3
Subtotal46-47
Upper Division Requirements
32 upper division semester hours, as follows:
BIOL 3020Genetics4
BIOL 3180Ecology with lab5
BIOL 3510General Physiology4
BIOL 3520General Physiology Lab1
BIOL 4740Evolution4
or BIOL 4750 Evolution with Lab
ENVS 358Environmental Chemistry: Water, Soil, and Sediment3
SCEM 370Workshop Biology: Life Works I3
SCEM 371Workshop Biology: Life Works I Laboratory1
SCEM 372Workshop Biology: Life Works II3
SCEM 373Workshop Biology: Life Works II Laboratory1
SCEM 491Science Education Internship3-4
or SCEM 591 Science Education Internship
Subtotal32-33
Total Semester Hours78-80
1

MATH 131 Calculus I, MATH 132 Calculus II may be substituted for MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I, MATH 123 Calculus for the Life Sciences II/MATH 205 Applied Statistics

Notes:
All lower-division and upper-division biology classes must be taken in residence at LMU.

A student must complete the lower division requirements with a C (2.0) average.

In order to graduate as a biology major and receive a subject matter waiver, a student must accumulate a C (2.0) average in all major requirements.

B.A. Degree–Biology Curriculum

(120 S.H.)1

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallSemester Hours
BIOL 1010 General Biology I 4
BIOL 1110 General Biology I Lab 1
BIOL 1900 First Year Biology Seminar 0
CHEM 110 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Lab 1
ORNT 1000 First Year Forum 0
FFYS 1000 First Year Seminar 4
MATH Mathematics 2 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
BIOL 1020 General Biology II 4
BIOL 1120 General Biology II Lab 1
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II Lab 1
MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I 3
RHET 1000 Rhetorical Arts 3-4
 Semester Hours15-16
Sophomore Year
Fall
BIOL 2010 Cell Function 4
CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry I 3
University Core 4
University Core 4
 Semester Hours15
Spring
BIOL 3020 Genetics 4
Science Elective 3
University Core 4
University Core 4
 Semester Hours15
Junior Year
Fall
BIOL Upper Division 4
BIOL Upper Division Lab 1
University Core 4
Select one of the following: 3 4
University Core
 
Elective
 
Elective 4
 Semester Hours17
Spring
BIOL Upper Division 4
BIOL Upper Division Lab 1
University Core 4
Elective 4
 Semester Hours13
Senior Year
Fall
BIOL Upper Division 4
Upper Division Elective 4
Upper Division Elective 4
Elective 4
 Semester Hours16
Spring
BIOL Upper Division 4
BIOL Upper Division Lab 1
Upper Division Elective 4
Upper Division Elective 4
 Semester Hours13
 Minimum Semester Hours120-121
1

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

2

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

3

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

B.A. Degree–Biology Secondary Science Education Emphasis Curriculum Four Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallSemester Hours
BIOL 1010 General Biology I 4
BIOL 1110 General Biology I Lab 1
BIOL 1900 First Year Biology Seminar 0
CHEM 110 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Lab 1
MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I 3
FFYS 1000 First Year Seminar 4
ORNT 1000 First Year Forum 0
 Semester Hours16
Spring
BIOL 1020 General Biology II 4
BIOL 1120 General Biology II Lab 1
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II Lab 1
MATH 123
or MATH 205
Calculus for the Life Sciences II
or Applied Statistics
3-4
RHET 1000 Rhetorical Arts 3-4
 Semester Hours15-17
Sophomore Year
Fall
BIOL 2010 Cell Function 4
CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1
Select one of the following: 4
HIST 1300
Becoming America  
HIST 1301
American and the Atlantic World 1450-1850  
HIST 1401
The United States and the Pacific World  
University Core * 3-4
 Semester Hours15-16
Spring
BIOL 3020 Genetics 4
ENVS 250 Earth System Science 3
University Core 4
University Core 4
 Semester Hours15
Junior Year
Fall
BIOL 3180 Ecology with lab 5
PHYS 2500 General Physics I 4
SCEM 370 Workshop Biology: Life Works I 3
SCEM 371 Workshop Biology: Life Works I Laboratory 1
Upper Division Elective 3-4
 Semester Hours16-17
Spring
SCEM 372 Workshop Biology: Life Works II 3
SCEM 373 Workshop Biology: Life Works II Laboratory 1
PHYS 2550 General Physics II 4
University Core 4
Upper Division Elective 3-4
 Semester Hours15-16
Senior Year
Fall
BIOL 3510 General Physiology 4
BIOL 3520 General Physiology Lab 1
PHYS 2710 Astronomy 3
SCEM 491
or SCEM 591
Science Education Internship
or Science Education Internship
3-4
Upper Division Elective 3-4
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
BIOL 4740
or BIOL 4750
Evolution
or Evolution with Lab
4
ENVS 358 Environmental Chemistry: Water, Soil, and Sediment 3
University Core 4
Upper Division Elective 3-4
 Semester Hours14-15
 Minimum Semester Hours120-128

Note:

  1. The course sequence in Mathematics depends on the results of the mathematics placement examination.
  2. Each of the listed history courses meets the US Constitution credential requirement for future teachers.
  3. The science education internship is placed in the paradigm during the senior year where the units can be accommodated. However, students are encouraged to complete the internship requirement as early as possible after completion of their sophomore year.
  4. Both ENVS 357 Environmental Chemistry: Atmosphere and Climate and ENVS 358 Environmental Chemistry: Water, Soil, and Sediment meet the environmental science requirement; however, ENVS 357 Environmental Chemistry: Atmosphere and Climate is offered in the Fall, therefore students must plan accordingly.

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

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