Mar 19, 2024  
University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Natural Science, B.S.


The Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science provides broad training across several science disciplines and is offered as three options: Interdisciplinary Science (Option I), Teaching (Option II), and Applied Science (Option III). Natural Science majors choose one option. Majors choosing the Interdisciplinary Science or Teaching option must select an emphasis area (biology, chemistry, geoscience, or physics), and majors choosing the Applied Science option must select an emphasis area in food science, medical science, or bridge to clinical laboratory science. The bridge to clinical laboratory science emphasis area prepares students to be eligible to apply for post-baccalaureate training programs in clinical laboratory science and is limited to students who have already completed a medical laboratory technician program of coursework and/or have obtained a medical laboratory technician license in the State of California. Students should speak with a Natural Science adviser before choosing an option.

High school preparation is recommended in algebra (two years), chemistry, geometry, physics, and trigonometry.

In  each option students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses that satisfy the following university, general education or major requirements.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science, Interdisciplinary Science Option is 120 units, of which 71-79 units are in the major depending on the emphasis selected.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science Teaching Option is 120units, of which 81 units are in the major.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science, Applied Science Option is 120 units, of which 70-76 units are in the major, depending on the emphasis selected.

Consult with an advisor for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree including General Education, 40 upper-division unit graduation requirement, and elective units needed to complete the major.

Option I - Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science (Interdisciplinary Science)


The Interdisciplinary Science Option of the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science is of value  to those seeking careers where a broad science background is useful, including careers in academia, business, government, law, medicine, nonprofit organizations, and other fields. Students study multiple natural science disciplines (i.e., biology, chemistry, geoscience, and physics) and choose one area from biology, chemistry, geoscience, and physics as an emphasis area of study. Total number of units required for the degree is  120.

Requirements for the Major (71-79 units)


Core Requirements (39-46 units)

Students must choose one emphasis area from among biology, chemistry, geology, or physics as a focus of study that determines additional Core requirements specific to each emphasis area.

Capstone Course (3 units)

Additional Core requirements based on Emphasis area (18-25 units)

Choose two sets of courses from the following three sets:

Geoscience Emphasis (18-25 units)

Select One Emphasis


Students must choose the same emphasis area that was chosen to determine their additional Core requirements.

Upper Division Electives (12 units)

Select upper division electives with advisor approval from the following: upper division BIOL, CHEM, GEOG, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or NATS courses. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Free Electives (3-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper division electives with advisor approval. Completion of additional Core courses in ASTR (2,1 units), CHEM (5,5 units), GEOL (3,4 units) and/or PHYS (4,4 units) is strongly recommended.

Chemistry Emphasis (32 units)

Upper Division Electives (10 units)

Select upper division electives with advisor approval from the following: upper division BIOL, CHEM, GEOG, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or NATS courses. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Free Electives (3-8 units)

Select lower and/or upper division electives with advisor approval. Completion of additional Core courses in ASTR (3 units), GEOL (3, 4 units), and/or PHYS (8 units) is strongly recommended.

Geoscience Emphasis (32 units)

Upper Division Electives (13 units)

Select upper division electives with advisor approval from the following: upper division BIOL, CHEM, GEOG, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or NATS courses. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Free Electives (3-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper division electives with advisor approval. Completion of additional Core courses in ASTR (3 units), CHEM (5, 5 units), and/or PHYS (8 units) is strongly recommended.

Physics Emphasis (35 units)

Upper Division Electives (25 units)

Select upper division electives with advisor approval from the following: upper division BIOL, CHEM, GEOG, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or NATS courses. Must include one PHYS lab course. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Free Electives (3-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper division electives with advisor approval. Completion of additional Core courses in CHEM (5, 5 units), and/or GEOL (3,4 units) is strongly recommended.

The table below summarizes the various unit requirements for each emphasis area of the Interdisciplinary Science Option of the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science.

Table 1. Unit distribution for Interdisciplinary Science option (Option I) for each emphasis area.

 

Option I

(Biology Emphasis)

Option I

(Chemistry Emphasis
Option I (Geoscience Emphasis)

Option I

(Physics Emphasis)
1Lower division GE 30 30 30 30
Upper division GE 9 9 9 9
Lower division major core 28 18 18 18
Lower division major core (additional) 10-15 20-25 18-25 20-23
Upper division major core 3 3 3 3
Emphasis specific required courses 20 22 19 10
Upper division elective courses 12 10 13 25
2Free electives 3-10 3-8 3-10 2-5

Total units

120 120 120 120

1Natural Science majors are required to take lower division core courses in science and math that also meet the requirements for Block B Natural Sciences and Mathematics (9 units).
2It is strongly recommended that Natural Science majors complete additional Core courses from ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, and/or PHYS.
 

Option II - Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science (Teaching)


The  Teaching Option of the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science is designed specifically for pre-service middle and high school science teachers.  The degree option satisfies the subject matter requirement for a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science. In order to earn the Single Subject Teaching Credential, individuals must complete a separate program of professional education courses approved by the State of California as a teacher preparation program (credential program). Although the Teaching Option in Natural Science meets the subject matter requirement for obtaining a teaching credential, this degree option is not a credential program. Students should consult with a Natural Science program adviser and with a credential adviser in the Charter College of Education for additional requirements for earning a teaching credential in California. Students selecting the Teaching Option must choose one area from biology, chemistry, geoscience, and physics as an emphasis area of study. Total number of units required for the degree is 120.

Requirements for the Major (81 units)


Select One Emphasis


Biology Emphasis ( 31 units)

Upper Division Electives (5 units)

Select upper division BIOL course(s) as electives with advisor approval. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Chemistry Emphasis ( 31 units)

Upper Division Electives (2 units)

Select upper division CHEM course(s) as electives with advisor approval. A maximum of 2 units of directed study is allowed.

Geoscience Emphasis ( 31 units)

Upper Division Electives (6 units)

Select upper division GEOL or GEOG course(s) as electives with advisor approval. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Physics Emphasis (29 units)

Upper Division Electives (17 units)

Select upper division PHYS or MATH course(s) as electives with advisor approval. Must include one PHYS lab course. A maximum of two MATH courses is allowed. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

The table below summarizes the various unit requirements for each emphasis area of the Teaching Option of the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science

Table 2. Unit distribution for Teaching option (Option II) for each emphasis area.

 

Option II

(Biology Emphasis)

Option II

(Chemistry Emphasis)
Option II (Geoscience Emphasis)

Option II

(Physics Emphasis)
Lower division GE* 30 30 30 30
Upper division GE 9 9 9 9
Lower division major core 45 45 45 47
Upper division major core 5 5 5 5
Emphasis specific required courses 26 29 25 12
Upper division elective courses 5 2 6 17
Total units 120 120 120 120

*Natural Science majors are required to take lower division core courses in science and math that also meet the requirements for Block B Natural Sciences and Mathematics (9 units).

Option III - Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science (Applied Science)


The Applied Science Option of the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science is designed primarily for preparation for broad careers in science requiring application of a general natural science background to human behavior. Total number of units required for the degree is 120. A minimum of 24 additional units of upper division coursework is required in the emphasis area, and two courses must be designated as GE Writing Intensive (WI).

Requirements for the Major (70-76 units)


Select One Emphasis


Bridge to Clinical Laboratory Science Emphasis (30 units)

Food Science Emphasis (21 units)

Required (21 units)

Select upper division NTRS courses totaling at least 21 units with advisor approval.

Free Elective (11 units)

Select courses with advisor approval.

Medical Science Emphasis (21 units)

Required Upper Division Elective (21 units)

Select upper division NURS courses totaling at least 21 units with advisor approval.

Free Elective (11 units)

Select courses with advisor approval.

Table 3. Unit distribution for Applied Science option (Option III) for each emphasis area.


 

Option III

(Bridge to CLS Emphasis)

Option III

(Food Science Emphasis)

Option III

(Medical Science Emphasis)

Lower division GE* 30 30 30
Upper division GE 09 09 09
Lower division major core 36 39 39
Lower division major core(additional) 0 0 0
Upper division major core 16 10 10
Emphasis specific required courses 15 0 0
Upper division elective courses 15 21 21
Free Electives 05 11 11
Total units 120 120 120

*Natural Science majors are required to take lower division core courses in science and math that also meet the requirements for Block B Natural Sciences and Mathematics (9 units).

Natural Science Subject Matter Program


For students who already possess a bachelor’s degree, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has approved the following program as satisfying the subject matter requirements of the Single Subject teaching credential in Science. The following programs are not degree programs; they are intended to meet the subject matter requirements as part of the teacher credentialing process.  Students should consult with a Natural Science program adviser and with a credential adviser in the Charter College of Education. Refer to the Charter College of Education section for regulations governing all teaching credential programs.

Single Subject Credential in Science ( 72 or 74 units)


Core Requirements ( 48 or 50 units)


Same as core requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science,  Teaching Option, except that NATS 3980 is not required and NATS 4950 replaces NATS 4960.

Capstone Course ( 3 units)

Select One Emphasis


Biology Emphasis (24 units)


Upper Division Electives (7 units)

Select upper division electives with advisor approval from the following list. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Chemistry Emphasis (26 units)


Geoscience Emphasis ( 24 units)


Physics Emphasis ( 22 units)


Upper Division Electives (15 units)

Select upper division electives with advisor approval from the following list. Must include one PHYS lab course. A maximum of two MATH courses is allowed. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.