Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2020-2021 
    
University Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Natural Science, B.S.


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The Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science provides broad training across several science disciplines and is offered as three options:

  • Option I - Interdisciplinary Science
  • Option II - Teaching
  • Option III - Applied Science

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 health 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.

Major Requirements

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 72-90 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 120 units, of which 72-90 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, Applied Science Option is 120 units, of which 81-84 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 requirements, 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 (72-90 units)


Emphasis Courses (30-39 units)


Select one emphasis. Students must choose the same emphasis area from among biology, chemistry, geology, or physics as a focus of study.

Biology Emphasis (30-39 units)


Upper Division Electives (9 units)

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

Electives (1-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, CHEM, GEOL, and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

Chemistry Emphasis (30-39 units)


Upper Division Electives (7 units)

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

Electives (1-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, GEOL, NATS,  and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

Geoscience Emphasis (30-39 units)


Upper Division Electives (9 units)

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

Electives (1-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, CHEM, and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

Physics Emphasis (30-39 units)


Upper Division Electives (18 units)

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

Electives (2-11 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in CHEM, GEOL, and/or NATS is strongly recommended.

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 (72-90 units)


Emphasis Courses (29-38 units)


Select one emphasis. Students must choose one emphasis area from among biology, chemistry, geology, or physics as a focus of study.

Biology Emphasis (29-38 units)


Upper Division Electives (8 units)

Select upper division BIOL or NATS courses as electives. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Electives (1-10 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, CHEM, GEOL, NATS, and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

Chemistry Emphasis (29-38 units)


Upper Division Electives (6 units)

Select upper division CHEM or NATS courses as electives. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Electives (0-9 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, CHEM, GEOL, NATS, and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

Geoscience Emphasis (29-38 units)


Upper Division Electives (9 units)

Select upper division GEOL, GEOG, or NATS courses as electives. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Electives (0-9 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, CHEM, GEOL, NATS, and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

Physics Emphasis (29-38 units)


Upper Division Electives (21 units)

Select upper division PHYS, MATH, or NATS courses as electives. Must include one PHYS lab course. A maximum of two MATH courses is allowed. A maximum of 3 units of directed study is allowed.

Electives (2-11 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional courses in ASTR, CHEM, GEOL, NATS, and/or PHYS is strongly recommended.

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 (81-84 units)


Emphasis Courses (32-35 units)


Select one emphasis. Students must choose one emphasis area from bridge to clinical laboratory science or health science as a focus of study.

Bridge to Clinical Laboratory Science Emphasis (35 units)


Health Science Emphasis (32 units)


Upper Division Electives (21 units)

Select upper-division electives from the following list of courses. Consulting with and advisor is strongly recommended.

Free Electives (11 units)

Select lower and/or upper-division electives. Completion of additional applied science courses is strongly recommended,

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