Department of Biological Sciences

DEPARTMENT OFFICE
Biological Sciences 142
Phone: (323) 343-2050
E-mail: Biomicr@calstatela.edu
Website: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/biol/

The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. The Department of Biological Sciences also offers three minor programs, four certificate programs, and participates in one credential program.

The Faculty

The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology.

Professors: Robert A. Desharnais, Lawrence Fritz, Patrick Krug, Philip S. LaPolt, Nancy L. McQueen, Paul Narguizian, Amelia A. Russo-Neustadt, Robert Nissen (Chair), Edith Porter, Tina Salmassi, Elizabeth Torres, H. Howard Xu.
Associate Professors: Kirsten Fisher, Hyunsook Park.
Assistant Professors: Andres Aguilar, Laura Cocas, Edward Eivers, Eric Wood, Katrina Yamazaki.

Emeriti: Wayne Paul Alley, Kenneth Anderson, Roger R. Bowers, Brian Capon, Theodore J. Crovello, Richard Fleming, John Gamon, William R. Hanson, Margaret J. Hartman, James W. Harvey, James Henrickson, George E. Jakway, Margaret C. Jefferson, Genaro A. Lopez, Daniel P. Mahoney, Rosemarie Marshall, Alan E. Muchlinski, Evan K. Oyakawa, Betsy Peitz, Carlos D. Robles, Howard Rosen, James M. Rosser, Mercer Price Russell, Joseph T. Seto, Sandra B. Sharp, David L. Soltz, Richard M. Straw, Velma J. Vance, Richard J. Vogl.

Departmental Honors Program in Biology

The Department of Biological Sciences offers an honors program for upper division biology students who have completed 70 semester units, including 30 units in the major, with a minimum B (3.0) grade point average both overall and in the major. Students shall have completed 18 units of the major in residence at Cal State L.A.

The honors program introduces superior students to intensive research experience in biology. Honor students are assisted by an honors adviser and two other committee members. Enrollment in BIOL 3960 , Honors Thesis in Biology, for 4 units is required, and enrollment in BIOL 4990 , Undergraduate Directed Study, for 1-3 units, is optional. A prospectus, a written thesis, and a final oral examination about the thesis, administered by the committee, are required parts of the program. Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Biology.”

Departmental Honors Program in Microbiology

The Department of Biological Sciences offers an honors program for upper division microbiology students who have completed 94-quarter units, including 40 units in the major, with a minimum B (3.0) grade point average both overall and in the major. Students shall have completed 24 units of the major in residence at Cal State L. A.

The honors program introduces highly motivated students to intensive research experience in microbiology. Honors students are assisted by an honors adviser and two other committee members. Enrollment in MICR 3960 Honors Thesis in Microbiology, for 4 units is required. Students can apply these units to their degree program. A prospectus, a written thesis, and a final oral examination about the thesis, administered by the committee, are required parts of the program. Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Microbiology.” Enrollment in MICR 4990 , Undergraduate Directed Study, for 1-3 units, prior to MICR 3960 is optional, though recommended.

The Credential Program

The Department of Biological Sciences participates in the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree program in Natural Science, with an emphasis in Biological Sciences (http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/natsci),which satisfies the subject matter requirements for the Single Subject credential in Science. That program is described later in this chapter of the catalog. Students should consult advisers in the department and in the Charter College of Education. Refer to the undergraduate Charter College of Education chapter of this catalog for regulations governing all teaching credential programs.