Biology, B.A.

Program Details

Department: Biology
Modality: In-Person
Semester Hours: 59

The B.A. in Biology degree is a general liberal arts and sciences program. The B.A. will allow for a double major with other liberal arts programs. The B.A. in Biology Secondary Education Emphasis offers classroom experience and internship opportunities in addition to the subject matter content required by the State of California. Pre-professional students should select the program leading to the B.S. degree.

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

Program graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the evolution, structure, and function of biological systems, and their and interconnections and interactions from molecules to organisms to ecosystems
• Apply the scientific method to solve problems in biology 
• Effectively communicate biological concepts in written and oral forms
• Translate and apply knowledge of biological systems in field and laboratory settings
• 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

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 Area requirement, even if listed in more than one Area. However a course can fulfill an Area requirement as well as Plant or Field.

⁴

CHEM 3710 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 3710 Biochemistry Lab to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major.

⁵

CHEM 3700 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 3700 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 3700 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.

Combined lecture and lab courses count as both a lecture and a lab.

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

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

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

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 3570 Env Chem: Atmos & Climate and ENVS 3580 Env Chem: Water, Soil, Sedimnt meet the environmental science requirement; however, ENVS 3570 Env Chem: Atmos & 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.