Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Concentration in Ecology (STEM) Study Group - California State University San Marcos, USA

Biology is the study of living processes from the interaction of species with each other and their environment to the operant molecular mechanisms. The California State University San Marcos Biological Sciences Department presents a broad program of courses that deal with life on the ecosystem, population, organismal, and molecular levels. Life is a complicated series of chemical reactions and interactions, and we seek to understand the relationship of organisms to each other, to their environment, and within themselves in biochemical terms. Biological Sciences majors may choose between: A General Concentration, A Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration, An Ecology Concentration and A Physiology Concentration. The general concentration provides wide exposure to the range of Biological Sciences while the cell/molecular, ecology, and physiology concentrations offer majors the opportunity to focus their studies. With an appropriate choice of Biological Sciences electives and General Education electives, graduates can meet the requirements of admission to graduate, medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, and other professional schools.

The Biological Sciences Department has well-equipped, modern laboratories. The academic atmosphere is enriched by a close faculty/student interaction, and by numerous hands-on laboratory experiences. Students receive training that will enable them to gain rewarding employment in a number of areas, including teaching, research, the health sciences, biotechnology, ecology, and environmental science.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Use the scientific method to ask testable questions and to design and conduct laboratory, field, or theoretical investigations to address these questions.
• Employ mathematical and computational skills to organize, analyze, and evaluate biological data.
• Locate, determine the reliability of, critically evaluate and summarize scientific literature and other sources of biological information.
• Communicate biological information in an appropriate written and/or oral format to both scientific and general audiences.