Apr 18, 2025

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology Concentration, BS

The BS Biological Sciences, concentration in Molecular Biology degree, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences , prepares students for careers in the biotechnology industry including research, drug development, marketing, and management, for graduate or professional school (PhD, MD, other health science-related programs), and for patent law. The program includes a strong theoretical background as well as intensive hands-on laboratory experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements	38
Major Preparation	17
Major Core Requirements	28
Major Electives	14
Chemistry Minor Requirements	23
Total	120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums).

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

Students in this major must complete all lower division courses in the Requirements of the Major with a “C- or better” to graduate.

Prerequisite Requirements

Enrollment in any chemistry course requires that the prerequisite courses be passed with a grade of “C or better” (C- not accepted). Exceptions may be made only with instructor consent or if not explicitly stated in the course description. Refer to the SJSU Course Catalog for specific information regarding course prerequisites.

University Requirements

Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (24 units)

Of the 39 units required by the university, 15 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (6 units)

Of the 9 units required by the university, 3 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with a major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

U.S. History and Government (6 units)

Complete One US1: US History Course

AMS 10 - Stories that Make America 3 unit(s) (C2+US1)
HIST 15 - Essentials of U.S. History 3 unit(s) (D+US1)
HIST 170S - Topics in American History: American Identities and Institutions 3 unit(s) (S+US1)

Complete One US23: US Constitution and California Government Course

AMS 11 - Visions of Democracy 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 15 - Essentials of U.S. & California Government 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 16 - Power and Ideas in American Politics 3 unit(s) (C2+US23)
POLS 170V - American Politics in Global Perspective 3 unit(s) (V+US23)

Physical Education (2 units)

All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) is satisfied by a course in the major.

Major Preparation (17 units)

BIOL 100W - Scientific Communication Workshop 3 unit(s) (R+WID)
BIOL 155 - Hypothesis Testing 3 unit(s)
PHYS 2A - Fundamentals of Physics 4 unit(s) (B1+B3)
PHYS 2B - Fundamentals of Physics 4 unit(s) (B1+B3)
MATH 30 - Calculus I 3 unit(s) (B4) (Note: MATH 30X (3 units) or Advanced Placement (AP) Exam with a score of 3 or higher is also acceptable)

Major Requirements (42 units)

Core Courses (28 units)

BIOL 30 - Principles of Biology I 4 unit(s) (B2+B3)
BIOL 31 - Principles of Biology II 4 unit(s) (B2+B3)
BIOL 115 - General Genetics 4 unit(s)
BIOL 116 - Molecular Genetics 4 unit(s)
BIOL 116L - Molecular Genetics Laboratory 3 unit(s)
BIOL 135A - Eukaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology I 3 unit(s)
BIOL 135B - Eukaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology II 3 unit(s) (R)
BIOL 135L - Molecular Cell Biology Lab 3 unit(s)

Major Electives (14 units)

Complete 14 units of major electives:

BIOL 105 - Principles of Developmental Biology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 107 - Immunology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 107L - Immunology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
BIOL 117 - Human Genetics 3 unit(s)
BIOL 119 - Neurogenetics 3 unit(s)
BIOL 123A - Bioinformatics I 3 unit(s)
BIOL 123B - Bioinformatics II 3 unit(s)
BIOL 124 - Systems Physiology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 125 - Systems Physiology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
BIOL 136 - Vertebrate Neurophysiology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 137 - Introduction to Principles of Toxicology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 138 - Stem Cell Biology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 139 - Cancer Biology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 180 - Individual Studies 1-4 unit(s)
BIOL 182 - Tutor Assistant in Biology 1-2 unit(s)
BIOL 184 - Directed Reading 1-4 unit(s)
BIOL 186 - Senior Thesis 2-4 unit(s)
BIOL 198 - Undergraduate Research 0.5-4 unit(s) (1-4 units required)
CHEM 180 - Individual Studies 1-4 unit(s)
MICR 101 - General Microbiology 5 unit(s)
MICR 166 - Bacterial Genetics 4 unit(s)
MICR 170 - General Virology 3 unit(s) (or other courses with prior advisor approval, at least 9 elective units must be in Biological Sciences)
*Any combination of BIOL 180, 182, 184, 186, or CHEM 180 may be taken for a maximum of 4 units.

Chemistry Minor Requirements (23 units)

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (B1+B3)
CHEM 1B - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (B1+B3)
CHEM 112A - Organic Chemistry 3 unit(s)
CHEM 112B - Organic Chemistry 3 unit(s)
CHEM 113A - Organic Chemistry Lab 2 unit(s)
CHEM 120S - Chemical Safety Seminar 1 unit(s)
CHEM 135 - General Biochemistry 4 unit(s)

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