COURSE CURRICULUM

The Biology major at California Lutheran University requires a minimum of 32 credits, with at least 20 of those being upper-division credits. In addition to the core biology courses, students must complete 19 supporting credits, bringing the total to around 51 credits. At least 16 of the biology credits must be taken at Cal Lutheran.The core courses include foundational subjects such as Introduction to Ecology and Populations (BIOL 120), Introduction to Cells and Organisms (BIOL 121), Introduction to Metabolism, Genes & Development (BIOL 122), and two laboratory courses in biological experimentation (BIOL 123L and BIOL 124L). Evolution (BIOL 311) is also a required course. Students must then choose one course from either Scientific Literature (BIOL 463) or participate in Junior/Senior Honors Capstone projects (BIOL 399/498/499).Students are required to select three upper-division courses, with at least one from each of the three categories: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Organismal Biology and Ecology, and Functional Biology. These categories cover a range of subjects such as Genetics, Microbiology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Environmental Ecology, Marine Biology, Animal Behavior, Comparative Anatomy, and Vertebrate Physiology, often including lab components.Supporting courses include General Chemistry I and II with labs (CHEM 151/151L and CHEM 152/152L), Organic Chemistry with lab (CHEM 331/341), and a choice between Essential Statistics (MATH 131) or Calculus I (MATH 251).This curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in biology and related sciences while offering flexibility to tailor their education toward their interests and career goals. Typically, students complete this degree within four years.