California State University, Fresno
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Biology - Degrees



You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.


Department of Biology

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
Biology Major


The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology is a 124-unit program. Of the total, 42 units are required to satisfy the university's General Education Program and 22 units are required by the Department of Biology to satisfy the core curriculum in biology. The core curriculum is a sequence of six courses required to be taken by all biology majors. The core curriculum builds the foundation upon which all further learning in biology will be based. Additional requirements, varying from 25-41 units depending upon the option choice the student selects, are specified courses from related fields outside the Department of Biology.

Each biology major must select one of the four option choices to complete the Biology Bachelor of Science degree requirements. All of the four option choices are flexibly designed. As a result, virtually any career goal in the life sciences and related fields can be accommodated by selecting the most appropriate option and by judiciously choosing specific courses within the option.

Academic advising is essential in making these option and course selections. Therefore, all biology majors are assigned faculty advisers. Students majoring in biology should report to the Department of Biology office for assignment of an appropriate adviser. Students should meet with their adviser a minimum of two times a semester so the adviser can review the student's program and progress.

Students planning for graduate and professional schools should be aware that entrance requirements for those programs will often exceed the minimal requirements for a Biology B.S. degree, particularly in the ancillary fields of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. An adviser should be consulted for specific information on graduate and professional school requirements.

Biology Core

The biology core is required of all majors (see Advising Notes for all options.)

BioSc 1A, 1B, 130, 140A-B, 180 (22 units)

In addition to the core, all majors must complete major and additional requirements in one of the four options described as follows:

Organismic and General Biology Option

This versatile option is designed for students who wish to explore the breadth of modern biology. It is highly recommended for students preparing for teaching careers. It is equally useful as preparation for a large variety of careers including clinical laboratory technology, and for additional studies in graduate and professional schools. By carefully selecting courses, students may use this option to obtain strong preparation for careers as botanists, zoologists, entomologists, microbiologists; or they may select courses that produce a broadly based program that does not emphasize a particular taxonomic group. Advising is critically important in this option. Students must consult a faculty adviser for help in determining the appropriate selection of courses and special requirements for their chosen fields.

Option requirements (42 units)

Biology Core (22 units)
A. Select one course from each of the following five lines (16-20 units)
1. Bot 131, 132, 142, 144; Micro 140, 172, 181, 185; M Sci 131
2. Micro 171; Zool 120, 141, 148, 150, 171, 174, 177; M Sci 112, 113, 114
3. Bot 133, 137; PhyAn 134, 135, 158; M Sci 122; Zool 132
4. Bot 130; Genet 172; Micro 161; PhyAn 151, 160, 163
5. Ecol 151, 152, 162; M Sci 103

B. Biological Science Electives (0-4 units)
Select one or more Biology Department course to complete the option. Only one elective course may be lower division.

Additional requirements (25 units)
1. Chem 3A, 8, and 150 (10 units)
2. Math 70 or 75 (4 units)
3. C Sci 101 (3 units)
4. Math 101 or Psych 42 or M Sci 104 (4 units)
5. One course selected from Phys 2A; M Sci 142, 143; Geol 1; SW 101 (4 units)

Remaining General Education requirements* (42 units)

Electives and remaining degree requirements (15 units)
(See Degree Requirements); may be used toward a dual major or minor.

Total (124 units)

__________

* Nine units of General Education requirements are satisfied to the following extent by major and additional requirements: CORE, Category 3 by Math 70, 72, or 75; Psych 42; BREADTH, Division 1 by Chem 3A, Division 2 by BioSc 1A. Consult your major academic adviser for details.

Molecular and Cellular Biology Option

This degree option is intended for students who wish to study the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular structure and function as well as the molecular and cellular interactions occurring in the operation and development of organ systems. Molecular biology combines the knowledge and techniques of genetics, cell biology and biochemistry, forming a basis for in-depth inquiry into all aspects of biology. The option introduces students to molecular inquiry at several levels of organization and provides the requisite background for the many career opportunities in biotechnology. The option also provides a solid foundation for graduate and professional studies emphasizing cellular and molecular processes, including the postbaccalaureate certificate of advanced studies in biotechnology offered by this department. Students preparing for the biotechnology certificate program should select a general microbiology course with laboratory and a biochemistry laboratory course among their elective courses. Students planning to enter professional and graduate programs should elect Chem 1A-B and 128A-B rather than Chem 3A and 8, and should consult an adviser about additional mathematics requirements as well.

Option requirements (40 units)

Biology Core (22 units)
A. Select two courses from the following list (7-8 units)
Bot 137; Genet 171, 172; Micro 161, 185; PhyAn 160 and 160L

B. Select two additional courses from the following list or from other courses listed in Category A (6-8 units)
Genet 172; PhyAn 140, 158, 162, 165

C. Biological Science Electives (2-5 units)
Select sufficient Biology Department courses other than those listed in Categories A and B to complete the option. Only one elective course may be lower division.

Additional requirements (32-41 units)
1. Chem 3A or 1A-B, 8 or 128A-B, 109 or 129A, 150 or 155 (13-22 units)
2. Phys 2A-B (8 units)
3. Math 70 or 75 (4 units)
4. C Sci 101 (3 units)
5. Math 101 or Psych 42 (4 units)

Remaining General Education requirements* (42 units)

Electives and remaining degree requirements (1-11 units)
(See Degree Requirements); may be used toward a dual major or minor.

Total (124 units)

__________

* Nine units of General Education requirements are satisfied to the following extent by major and additional requirements: CORE, Category 3 by Math 70, 72, or 75; Psych 42; BREADTH, Division 1 by Chem 3A, Division 2 by BioSc 1A. Consult your major academic adviser for details.

Physiology Option

This degree program is designed to help students understand basic cellular phenomena and to analyze complex multicellular biological systems in preparation for medical, clinical, academic or research careers that require physiology as a foundation. The ultimate goal of physiology is to understand, in physical and chemical terms, the mechanisms that operate in living organisms. This option encompasses three major branches of physiology: cellular; systemic; and whole organism. Physiology is one of the central disciplines in biology and is of particular importance in the health professions and agriculture. This option offers excellent preprofessional preparation for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, various careers requiring physiology, and for advanced graduate study. Students planning to enter professional and graduate programs should elect Chem 1A-B and 128A-B rather than Chem 3A and 8, and should consult an adviser about additional mathematics requirements as well.

Option requirements (41 units)

Biology Core (22 units)
A. Select one course from each of these three lines (9-12 units)
1. Bot 133; PhyAn 130, 134, 135; Zool 132
2. Bot 137; Genet 172; Micro 161; PhyAn 160 and 160L
3. Bot 130; PhyAn 151; Zool 141

B. Select two additional courses from the following list or from other courses listed in category A (6 -8 units)
Genet 172; PhyAn 140, 158, 162, 163, 165, 172

C. Biological Science Electives (0-4 units)
Select sufficient Biology Department courses to complete the option. Only one elective course may be lower division.

Additional requirements (32-41 units)
1. Chem 3A or 1A-B, 8 or 128A-B, 109 or 129A, 150 or 155 (13-22 units)
2. Phys 2A-B (8 units)
3. Math 70 or 75 (4 units)
4. C Sci 101 (3 units)
5. Math 101 or Psych 42 (4 units)

Remaining General Education requirements* (42 units)

Electives and remaining degree requirements (0-9 units)
(See Degree Requirements); may be used toward a dual major or minor.

Total (124 units)

_________

* Nine units of General Education requirements are satisfied to the following extent by major and additional requirements: CORE, Category 3 by Math 70, 72, or 75; Psych 42; BREADTH, Division 1 by Chem 3A, Division 2 by BioSc 1A. Consult your major academic adviser for details.

Ecology Option

This degree program is intended for students who wish to study the interrelationships between living things and their environments. This option has a strong field component that takes full advantage of the outstanding natural environments conveniently located near our campus. Students in this program gain an in-depth understanding of ecology and evolution, and acquire the skills to apply that understanding to important question in fresh-water, marine, and terrestrial systems, in fisheries and wildlife management, or other branches of applied ecology. Students completing this option are well prepared for entry into a wide range of environmental careers with governmental field research agencies, in agriculture-related areas, environmental microbiology, environmental law and consulting firms, or for graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in ecology, management, and evolution. Students may obtain an emphasis in marine science by selecting electives offered at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Faculty advising plays an important role in this program. Students must consult an adviser for help in selecting courses appropriate to their interests and career objectives.

Option requirements (47 units)

Biology Core (22 units)
A. Select one course from the following (4 units)
Ecol 151, 152; M Sci 103

B. Select one course from the following (3-4 units)
Bot 130; Micro 161; PhyAn 151

At least one botany (Bot) or microbiology (Micro) course must be selected from categories C or D below. M Sci 131 is also acceptable.

C. Select one course (3-4 units) from the following:
Bot 131, 132; Micro 140; Zool 120, 141, 150; M Sci 124, 131

D. Biological Science Electives (13-15 units)
Select sufficient Biology Department courses, including those listed in categories A, B, and C, to complete the option. Only one elective course may be lower division.

Additional requirements (24-25 units)

1. Chem 3A, 8, and 150 (10 units)
2. Math 70 or 75 (4 units)
3. C Sci 101 (3 units)
4. Math 101 or Psych 42 (4 units)
5. Select one course (3-4 units) from the following:
C Sci 20; Phys 2A; M Sci 142, 143; Geol 1, 105; SW 101

Remaining General Education requirements* (42 units)

Electives and remaining degree requirements (10-11 units)
(See Degree Requirements); may be used toward a dual major or minor.

Total (124 units)

________

* Nine units of General Education requirements are satisfied to the following extent by major and additional requirements: CORE, Category 3 by Math 70, 72, or 75; Psych 42; BREADTH, Division 1 by Chem 3A, Division 2 by BioSc 1A. Consult your major academic adviser for details.

Advising Notes for all Options
within the Bachelor of Science in Biology

  1. B.S. biology majors who have taken introductory sequences other than BioSc 1A and 1B must consult with their faculty adviser or department chair for equivalency evaluation prior to beginning their upper-division coursework.
  2. Chem 1A may be taken as a substitute for Chem 3A, and Chem 128A and 128B may substitute for Chem 8. The reverse substitutions are not permissible. Premedical students should take Chem 1A and 1B and 128A and 128B instead of Chem 3A and 8.
  3. Math 71 plus 72 may be taken as a substitute for Math 70 or 75.
  4. B.S. biology majors selecting options in Molecular and Cellular Biology or in Physiology can complete a Minor in Chemistry with the addition of Chem 105. Consult the chemistry department chair for details (see Chemistry Minor).
  5. No course used to satisfy General Education CAPSTONE requirements may be used to satisfy biology major requirements.
  6. CR/NC grading is not permitted in the biology major.
  7. General Education, additional, and elective requirements may be used toward a dual major or minor (see Dual Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for additional information.


Suggested Sequence of
Courses for B.S. Degree in Biology

The following comments on timing and sequence are intended for full-time students who plan to complete the B.S. degree in four years. Students with extensive extracurricular obligations should make appropriate timing adjustments to avoid overloads. See your adviser for assistance.

A total of 124 units must be completed for all Biology B.S. degree options. In addition to courses required for the major, full-time students should add General Education requirements and electives to bring semester totals to 15-17 units. Electives may include minor and credential requirements.

During the first two years, both resident and transfer students should complete most General Education requirements, BioSc 1A and 1B, all lower-division additional requirements for the option they have selected, and any lower-division electives that might be selected within that option. BioSc 130, 140A-B, C Sci 101, and statistics should be completed as early as possible but no sooner than the term in which 60 units of coursework are completed and preferably no later than the end of the third year. The remainder of the third and fourth years should be spent completing requirements for the selected option, General Education Capstone courses, and electives in biology and other fields. BioSc 180 is a senior requirement and must be taken during the fourth year.

Biology Minor

A Minor in Biology may be earned by completing the 22-unit biology core:
BioSc 1A, 1B, 130, 140A-B, 180.

Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences

Teaching Credential - Biology Emphasis

The B.A. in Natural Sciences serves as a waiver program for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science. This degree program is designed for students who wish to become high school science teachers. The full program is described in the Natural Science section in this catalog. The program consists of two parts. The Core requirements are courses required of all natural science students and the Emphasis provides training in biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics. Students may also earn the credential while obtaining a degree in biology. The B.A. in Natural Sciences with the Biology Emphasis is as follows.

Core requirements (48-49 units)
Biology (12-13 units)
--- BioSc 1A or Biol 15, BioSc 1B and 130

Chemistry (13 units)
--- Chem 1A, 1B; Chem 8 or 128A

Geology (5 units)
--- Geol 1 and 3 (or 15)

Natural Science (3 units)
--- N Sci 106

Physics (8 units)
--- Phys 2A, 2B

Physical Science (7 units)
--- P Sci 21, 168

Biology Emphasis (20-22 units)
(See Note 1)

BioSc 140A, 140B (7 units)
BioSc 180 (3 units)
Micro 140 (4 units)

Select one course from the following:

A. Bot 131, 132, 144, Micro 171, Ecol 151, 152, 162, Zool 120, 141, 148, 150, 174, 177 (3-4 units)

B. Bot 130, Micro 161, PhyAn 151, 163 (3-4 units)

Additional requirements (8 units)
Math 70 or 75 and 101 or Psych 42

General Education (42 units)
(See Note 2)
6-unit CAPSTONE requirement to be met by Geol/Geog 168

Electives and remaining degree requirements (3-6 units)
(See Note 3 and Degree Requirements)

Total (124 units)

Notes

  1. Consult your faculty adviser regarding the selection of your elective units to have this emphasis used as the Science Waiver Program.
  2. This figure takes into account that 9 units in the major and additional requirements may also be applied to satisfy General Education requirements as follows: CORE, Quantitative Reasoning Math 70 or 75 (3 units); BREADTH, Division 1 Chem 1A or Geol 1 or 15 or Phys 2A (3 units); and Division 2 -- BioSc 1A or Biol 15 (3 units). Consult your major academic adviser for details. (See General Education.)
  3. Students should be sure to take sufficient upper-division units in their General Education courses and electives to satisfy the university requirement of 40 upper-division units for graduation.

Graduate Programs

The Biology Department offers the Master of Arts degree in Biology with the opportunity for specialization in several areas of study. Among these areas are ecologically oriented field studies; molecular and cellular biology; physiology at both invertebrate and vertebrate levels; entomology; microbiology; parasitology; botany; systematics; animal behavior. The program also prepares candidates for teaching various biological science disciplines at the primary and secondary education levels. A further objective of the master's program is to provide a foundation for those seeking advanced education at universities offering the doctorate or other professional degrees. The Biology Department has further informational materials available upon request.

The Biology Department and the university are located in a region uniquely suited to the pursuit of projects that are environmentally oriented. High Sierra, foothill, coastal, and forest environments are all within three hours drive of California State University, Fresno. Facilities are available at the campus for studies involving genetic recombination, electron microscopy, use of radioactive materials, and metabolic studies on all living forms. Cooperation with local physicians and hospital facilities provides additional opportunities to pursue medically oriented research.

The Biology Department is a member of a consortium that manages and operates the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory (MLML). MLML is located on the California coastline between Santa Cruz and Monterey. A master's candidate interested in pursuing marine science studies must meet California State University, Fresno Biology Department master's candidate requirements as well as those of MLML. Such candidates are encouraged to consult the Biology Department's MLML coordinator for information and to read the MLML information presented at the end of this section.

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree program in Biology assumes preparation equivalent to a California State University, Fresno undergraduate major in biology. Students having undergraduate majors in fields other than the biological sciences may enter the program, but may reasonably expect additional requirements to produce equivalent preparation.

There are five steps that must be completed for the Master of Arts degree in Biology:

  1. Admission to graduate standing (constitutes admission to the university)
  2. Admission to classified graduate standing (constitutes admission to the department program)
  3. Advancement to candidacy (formalizes thesis committee and project)
  4. Completion of a thesis and associated requirements
  5. Completion of all additional requirements for award of master's degree

Normal progress toward the Master of Arts degree in Biology requires that classified graduate standing be achieved in the first semester of graduate study and that advancement to candidacy be granted the following semester. Completion of the thesis and all other program requirements will normally require two additional semesters of study. Procedures for completing these steps are outlined in the following sections. Students are personally responsible for ensuring that all graduate degree requirements have been met in sequence; therefore, each student should read the procedures thoroughly to be sure all requirements are understood. Students should also meet with the departmental graduate adviser at the earliest possible date.

Admission to Graduate Standing

Admission to the university is handled through the Admissions Office of California State University, Fresno. For admission to postbaccalaureate/graduate standing, a student must have completed a four-year college program and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 2.5 in the last 60 units.

To be considered for classified standing in biology, the following additional steps are required of students planning to enter the biology graduate program.

  1. Arrange to take the Aptitude and Advanced Biology sections of the Graduate Record Examination prior to application. Information about dates, fees, and application procedures may be obtained through the Division of Graduate Studies. The Biology Department requires that GRE advanced scores be current. Scores dating from five years previous to application are not considered valid.
  2. Contact the graduate adviser in the Biology Department prior to registration for assignment of a temporary faculty adviser who will assist in the planning of initial courses. Students may request the assignment of any biology faculty member to serve in this capacity.
  3. Meet with the temporary adviser prior to registration and develop an approved initial program of at least 9 units that is mutually agreeable to the student and the adviser. These courses are to be entered on the "Approved Preliminary Program" form (available from the graduate adviser) and signed by the student, temporary adviser, and departmental graduate adviser. This will constitute the Approved Initial Graduate Program. All students are required to have the "Approved Preliminary Program" form approved and on file prior to registration. When this form is submitted, the Graduate Committee will consider your request for classified standing.

Admission to Classified Graduate Standing

Admission to classified graduate standing constitutes official admission into the graduate program in the Department of Biology and requires the approval of the Biology Department. Classified standing must be attained no later than the semester in which a student completes 10 units, including transfer and postbaccalaureate credit, to be used toward the master's degree, so students should attempt to obtain classified graduate standing as early as possible in their graduate careers to avoid possible loss of units. Normal progress toward the degree requires that this be accomplished in the first semester of graduate work.

Students applying for classified standing should be sure they have submitted an "Approved Preliminary Program" form to the departmental graduate adviser.

Admission to classified graduate standing must be recommended by the graduate coordinator in consultation with the Graduate Committee of the Biology Department. To be recommended, the student must demonstrate competency in verbal or written communication, quantitative analytical skills and disciplinary knowledge.

Competencies may be demonstrated in the following manner:

  1. For verbal or written communication, students must achieve either a verbal GRE score in the top 40th percentile or no less than a grade of B in an upper-division writing class. In exceptional cases the Graduate Committee may consider alternative evidence of verbal or writing skills.
  2. For quantitative analytical skills, students must achieve either a quantitative GRE score in the top 40th percentile or no less than a grade of B in a mathematics class at least at the level of Math 70.
  3. For disciplinary knowledge, students must achieve at least one of the following: (a.) A score on the Advanced Biology section of the GRE in the top 40th percentile. The Advanced Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology section will fulfill this requirement only in conjunction with coursework in ecology. (b.) No less than a grade of B in each of the upper-division core courses or their equivalents. Equivalency will be determined by the graduate coordinator in consultation with faculty teaching the core courses at this university. (c.) No less than a grade of C in each of the upper-division core courses or their equivalents, as well as an overall GPA of 3.0 or better for at least 25 semester units of upper-division lecture or lecture/laboratory courses in natural science.

On recommendation, students will be assigned to one of the following three categories:

  1. Classified graduate standing will be assigned to students meeting the standards in verbal written communication, quantitative analytical skills, and disciplinary knowledge.
  2. Conditional classified standing will be assigned to students meeting a majority of the classification standards yet having specific identifiable deficiencies that may be easily corrected within a single semester. While this classification gives students the opportunity to remedy identified deficiencies, those remedial courses taken to correct deficiencies may not be applied to the graduate program.
  3. Nonclassified standing will be assigned to students who do not meet the classification standards or whose deficiencies will require more than one semester for remediation.

Students recommended for classified graduate standing may proceed with the completion of requirements for advancement to candidacy, the next step in the graduate program. Students granted conditional classified status or denied admission (remaining in postbaccalaureate unclassified standing) will not have been admitted to the graduate program in biology and must attempt to increase their classification score to gain classified standing. The graduate adviser will provide further information on how this may be accomplished.

When any requirements for a change in graduate standing have been completed, the student must see the graduate adviser and file appropriate forms with the graduate division.

Advancement to Candidacy

Acceptance to classified graduate standing indicates that the student's academic background and perceived ability are sufficiently high to merit admission into the biology graduate program. Advancement to candidacy signifies that the student has developed a coherent program of study for the Master of Arts degree that meets with the approval of the Biology Department. Advancement to candidacy requires the establishment of the Thesis Committee, identification of the thesis topic, and the approval of all coursework that must fit within the following framework:

Courses in 200-series (21 units)
Electives (9 units)
(May be 100- or 200-series)
Total (30 units)

No less than 18 units of the approved coursework must be in the biological sciences. Nine units must be completed prior to advancement to candidacy. The Biology Department also requires that at least 10 units of approved coursework be completed after advancement to candidacy.

Units completed during the semester that advancement is achieved will be considered to have been completed after advancement to candidacy. Students must also show competence in writing skills through an appropriate examination or course. Normal degree progress requires that advancement to candidacy be achieved in the semester following admission to classified standing. A student must be advanced to candidacy, possess a GPA of 3.0 or better, and file a Thesis Committee Assignment Form before enrolling in thesis (Biol 299).

A complete list of the steps required for advancement to candidacy is available from the departmental graduate adviser.

Completion of a Thesis

The Master of Arts in Biology requires completion of a research thesis (Biol 299). The thesis must show originality, appropriate organization, clarity of purpose, critical analysis, and accuracy and completeness of documentation where needed. Critical and independent thinking are required. The finished thesis must meet standards appropriate for publication in the scholarly journals of the field. A colloquium is required of all students before graduation. Additional information on the completion of the thesis is available from the departmental graduate adviser.

Completion of All Requirements for Award
of Master of Arts Degree in Biology


In addition to the above requirements, in order to receive the Master of Arts degree in Biology the student must:

  1. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all graduate coursework undertaken from the date of embarking on the first course of the approved program. Students wishing to explore other academic areas without jeopardizing this grade point average should attempt to use the CR/NC grade option for this purpose.
  2. File an application for the granting of the Master of Arts degree and pay the diploma fee. Applications should be submitted during the first two weeks of the semester (or the first week of a summer session) in which the degree is to be completed and are available from the Division of Graduate Studies, Thomas Administration, Room 132.

Master of Science Degree Requirements

Marine Sciences Major

This degree program to be offered as an interdepartmental degree in cooperation with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) provides the opportunity for students to acquire a practical and theoretical education in the marine sciences to prepare them for careers as marine specialists, scientists, and teachers. The program at Moss Landing provides extensive field and laboratory work for advanced study in the marine sciences, which is not duplicated on individual CSU campuses.

The Master of Science in Marine Sciences degree program is administered through MLML and a consortium campus with emphasis on biology, geology, or other department, depending on the choice of the student. The prospective student must meet the entrance requirements for the home campus department and will be accepted into classified or conditionally classified status by normal procedures at that campus (see previous information for biology procedures summary). Conditionally classified students must become classified by home campus procedures. MLML may impose additional requirements for classification.

The Thesis Committee will be composed of at least three members, including one faculty member from MLML (who is ordinarily the thesis adviser) and, at the discretion of the home campus, a representative of that campus. The other member or members of the Thesis Committee may be from MLML, the home campus, or elsewhere with the approval of the thesis adviser. The final colloquium must be given at the home campus.

Additional MLML Degree Requirements Including Coursework. A student becomes eligible for the master's degree in marine science after the following requirements have been satisfied:

Courses in 100-series (requires any three of the following five courses: M Sci 103, M Sci 141, M Sci 142, M Sci 143, M Sci 144) (12 units)

Courses in 200-series (including 2 units of M Sci 285T, 286T or 287T, and 4 units of M Sci 299) (15 units)

Electives (course(s) in the 100- and/or 200-series) approved by Thesis Committee (3 units)

Total (30 units)

Note: Quantitative Marine Science, M Sci 104, does not count toward the degree.

Biotechnology Certificate Program

California State University, Fresno offers a Certificate of Advanced Study Program in Biotechnology. This intensive one-year postbaccalaureate program emphasizes molecular biology and a wide range of laboratory skills at the forefront of modern biotechnology. The biotechnology field is growing rapidly and, as new products and applications are commercialized, there is increased need for highly skilled personnel capable of working in both research and production areas. Enrollment is limited to 12 to 15 students per year who work closely with faculty in a variety of lecture and laboratory courses. Among the techniques studied are purification of biological macromolecules, gene splicing, DNA sequencing, culturing of mammalian cells, hybridoma production, and plant cell culturing and cloning.

The certificate program can lead to potential careers in expanding fields, such as drug and hormone production in the pharmaceutical industry, monoclonal antibody production for medical diagnostics, crop improvement, industrial bioprocessing, forensic science, bioremediation, and medical research. The program also provides a background for further postgraduate studies in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, and agricultural biotechnology. Some of the courses may also be used at California State University, Fresno as components of master's degree programs in biology, chemis try, plant science, and related departments.

Program courses include: Molecular Biology (Biol/Chem 241A-B), Techniques in Protein Purification (Biol/Chem 242), Nucleic Acid Technology Lab (Biol/Chem 243), Cell Culture/Hybridoma Laboratory (Biol/Chem 244), Micropropagation (Plant Science 102), and Seminar in Molecular Biology/Biotechnology (Biol/Chem 248).

Admission to the program requires a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA and science GPA of 3.0 or better. Upper-division courses in genetics (minimum 3 units), biochemistry with a laboratory (minimum 5 units), and microbiology with a laboratory (minimum 4 units) are also prerequisites for entrance into the program. Consult with an adviser for determining recommended or equivalent courses.

Upper-Division Course Numbers

Biology Department upper-division course numbers provide information on course level and scheduling. Courses with higher numbers have more prerequisites. Courses with numbers less than 120 are not intended for use on biology majors. Numbers in the range 120 to 149 are third year courses requiring only lower-division prerequisites; 150 to 169 courses require some part of the upper-division core as prerequisite; and course numbers 170 or greater are more specialized fourth year courses. For schedule planning, in general: odd numbered upper-division courses are offered in the fall; even numbered courses are offered in the spring; course numbers ending in zero are offered both fall and spring; and courses offered irregularly end with a nine.

 

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