南加州大學

This major allows students the chance to study the natural world to better understand living systems—from the biochemical to genes and from cells to global biodiversity. The department has research faculty with specialties in four disciplines: marine environmental biology, molecular and computational biology, human and evolutionary biology, and neurobiology. A diversity of upper division undergraduate courses permit students to choose an emphasis in any of these four disciplines Undergraduates in Biological Sciences have the opportunity to become involved in laboratory or field research with faculty.

Learning Objectives

A. General Skills and Breadth

Develop the ability to manage one’s time, work independently, take initiative, and collaborate.

Develop the ability to think critically, analyze, synthesize, and use information to solve problems.

Acquire broad knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, and understand the relevance of these disciplines to the biological sciences.

Develop the ability to communicate scientific ideas, orally and in writing.

Develop facility in the use of computer applications and the internet.

B. Scientific and Experimental Skills

Understand and apply the scientific method, including forming hypotheses, designing experiments to test hypotheses, and collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data.

Develop the ability to use appropriate laboratory or field procedures, methods, and instrumentation for biological studies.

C. Biological Skills

Develop breadth of knowledge in the biological sciences, including the fields of biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, evolution, molecular biology and genetics, and physiology.

Acquire an appreciation for all levels of biological organization, including the molecular, cellular, organismal, and systems levels.

Understand the processes that underlie embryonic development, cellular differentiation, and reproduction.

D. Ethics / Society

Be able to place biological knowledge into an ethical context, especially how biology can contribute to the resolution of ethical, social, and environmental issues.

E. After Graduation

Prepare students with a sufficient depth of knowledge and abilities to prepare them for entry-level employment in a wide variety of fields, or for graduate study in the health professions or other biology-related disciplines.