Biological and Natural Resource Sciences, Bachelor of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• At least 66 units of major requirements 

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

• For this major the prefixes include BSC and BIO. 

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Major GPA	C
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 125
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Required
Research	Required
Progression Plan Link	View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Biological and Natural Resource Sciences program is to provide an excellent, integrated education to prepare students from the Lower Colorado River region to enter the health, teaching, research, and natural resource management professions and to promote life-long learning. 
 
The BS in Biological and Natural Resource Sciences (B&NRS) provides applied, cross-disciplinary training to prepare students to take part in scientific research and discovery using the scientific method and core knowledge in biology and the natural sciences. Students gain this knowledge through their individual research or internship experiences and coursework in ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, and the physical sciences.  The BS in B&NRS program's rigorous training in the biological and natural sciences prepares graduates for successful careers in industry, government agencies, and research institutions. Our graduates can successfully communicate science at different levels of engagement from research scientists to the general public on a wide range of currently relevant biological topics. The B&NRS curriculum trains students how to describe and perform empirical research and analysis. The research and practical skills gained by B&NRS students help them continue to expand their knowledge long after they graduate from the program. This training and experience helps our graduates assume leadership roles in biological and natural science fields. Finally, the BS in B&NRS program prepares students for entry into graduate and professional programs in the biological sciences, medicine, veterinary science, pharmacy, dentistry, and other related fields if they choose to continue in an academic track.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Graduates can identify, describe, and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in the biological sciences.  Students will be able to identify, describe and apply the following:
• The theory of evolution; that the diversity of life evolved over time by processes of genetic change, diversification, and extinction.
• The basic units of structure define the function of all living things, and that the physical and chemical characteristics of each biological structure influence its interactions with other structures as well as its function.
• Context-specific expression of genetic information regulates growth and behavior of organisms, and that the phenotype of an organism is controlled by its genotype and the environment.
• Biological systems grow and change by processes based upon chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
• Graduates will analyze how the biological knowledge base has and continues to be acquired utilizing core scientific principles.  Students will be able to:
• Apply the process of science, particularly that science is evidence-based and grounded in the formal practices of observation, experimentation, and hypothesis testing.
• Use quantitative reasoning by evaluating and summarizing experimental evidence using mathematical reasoning.
• Examine models/simulations of ecosystems. 
• Graduates will demonstrate research skills in the biological sciences.  Students will be able to:
• Use computers and other technology for a variety of purposes including the acquisition of relevant and valid information
• Apply basic research methods in research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Critically review empirical research. 
• Graduates can apply the knowledge base and ethical issues in the biological sciences to their professional and personal lives, and when possible, use the scientific approach to solve problems related to the life sciences.  Students will be able to:
• Utilize, communicate with, and collaborate with other disciplines.
• Communicate science in multiple forms, including written, oral, and electronic, to diverse audiences.
• Understand the relationship between science and society.

Major Requirements

• This major requires 66-69 units distributed as follows:

  • Biology and Natural Resource Science Requirements: 40 units
  • Physical Science Foundation: 26-29 units

  
  Take the following 66-69 units including 40 units of Biological Science or biology-related courses. All courses must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better.
  
  Biology core courses (28 units):

  • BIO 181, BIO 181L, BIO 182, BIO 182L (8 units)
  • BSC 350, BSC 350L (4 units)
  • BSC 395, BSC 396 (2 units)
  • BSC 408, or BSC 485 (3 units)
  • BSC 460, BSC 460L, or CHM 360, CHM 360L (4 units)
  • BSC 326, BSC 326LW which meets the junior-level writing requirement (4 units)
  • BSC 435C which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units):
  
  Select additional coursework from (12 units):
  • Any 100 to 200-level BIO course except BIO 100 or any BIO recitation
  • Any BSC course except BSC 310.
  • Up to 6 units from BSC 497
  • Up to 8 units of non-BSC or non-BIO prefix courses from the following:
    • ENV 115, ENV 181, ENV 171, ENV 360
    • FOR 213, FOR 222, FOR 225, FOR 255
    • GLG 102
    • GSP 239

• 
  Please note many of the following major requirements also satisfy the Liberal Studies requirements. 
  
  Physical Science Foundation:

• • Basic chemistry sequence: CHM 151, CHM 151L, CHM 152, CHM 152L (9 units)
  • Organic chemistry sequence: CHM 235, CHM 235L (5 units)

• • Select one of the following math combinations (4-7 units):
    • MAT 125 and (STA 270 or PSY 230) (7 units)
    • MAT 136 (4 units)
  • Select one of the following physics sequences(8 units):
    • PHY 111, PHY 112 (8 units)
    • PHY 161, PHY 262, PHY 262L. If choosing to complete this sequence, then PHY 263 is recommended. (8 units)

General Electives

• Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

  You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
  
  We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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