Natural Science, B.S.

Location(s): Main Campus

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Overview

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science provides broad training across several science disciplines and is offered as four options: Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience, and Physics.

The Natural Science degree is of value to those seeking careers where a broad science background is useful, including careers in education, business, government, law, medicine, nonprofit organizations, and other fields. In addition to providing broad science training, the degree also fulfils the content knowledge for students seeking a Single-Subject Teaching Credential, and is sufficient to waive the CSET (subject matter exam).

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

Degree Requirements

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science is 120 units, of which 74-83 units are in the major.
Students study multiple natural science disciplines, and choose one option among biology, chemistry, geoscience, and physics & astronomy.
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.

Admission Criteria Learning Outcomes Roadmap

Requirements for the Major (74-83 units)

Core Requirement (42-51 units)

Lower Division Core Courses (36-45 units)

BIOL 1100 - Cellular Basis of Life [5]
BIOL 1200 - Diversity of Life [5]
MATH 2110 - Calculus I [4]
MATH 2120 - Calculus II [4]
And complete any three sets of courses from the following list:

Set 1
ASTR 1510 - Principles of Astronomy [2]
ASTR 1520 - Principles of Astronomy: Laboratory [1]
Set 2
CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I [5]
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry II [5]
Set 3
GEOL 1500 - Earth Revealed [3]
GEOL 2520 - Historical Geology [4]
Set 4 - select one group
Group A:
PHYS 1100 - Physics for the Life Sciences I [4]
PHYS 1200 - Physics for the Life Sciences II [4]
Group B:
PHYS 2100 - General Physics I: Mechanics [4]
PHYS 2200 - General Physics II: Electromagnetism and Circuits [4]

Upper Division Elective Core Course (3 units)

Select one course. Consultation with an advisor is strongly recommended.

Capstone Course (3 units)

NATS 4950 - Natural Science Field Studies [3]

Option Requirements (32 units)

Select one option

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Natural Science, B.S.

Location(s): Main Campus

Requirements for the Major (74-83 units)

Core Requirement (42-51 units)

Lower Division Core Courses (36-45 units)

Upper Division Elective Core Course (3 units)

Capstone Course (3 units)

Option Requirements (32 units)

I. Biology Option (32 units)

Required Courses for Biology Option (21 units)

Biology Upper Division Electives (8 units)

Directed Electives for Biology Option (3 units)

II. Chemistry Option (32 units)

Required Courses for Option (22 units)

Chemistry Upper Division Electives (7 units)

Directed Electives for Chemistry Option (3 units)

III. Geoscience Option (32 units)

Required Courses for Option (20 units)

Geoscience Upper Division Electives (9 units)

Directed Electives for Geoscience Option (3 units)

IV. Physics Option (32 units)

Required Courses for Option (17 units)

Physics Upper Division Electives (12 units)

Directed Electives for Physics Option (3 units)