You are in the official 2002-2003 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Biology
College of Science and Mathematics
FRED SCHREIBER, Chair
VIRGIE WALMSLEY, Administrative Support Coordinator
Science Building, Room 106
(559) 278-2001
FAX: (559) 278-3963
http://www.csufresno.edu/biology
B.S. in Biology
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Option
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Biology Option
Organismic and General Biology Option
Physiology and Anatomy Option
B.A. in Natural Sciences
Teaching Credential
Minor in Biology
Biotechnology Certificate
Single Subject
Teaching Credential in Science
Preprofessional Advising in
Dentistry, Forestry,
Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine
Faculty
Fred Schreiber, Chair
Brian Tsukimura, Graduate Coordinator
Bert Tribbey, Marine Science Coordinator
Gregor M. Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Coordinator
David M. Andrews, Credential Adviser
Undergraduate advisers are assigned by the department chair.
Raymond H. Abhold, Jorge A. Benitez, Steven C. Blumenshine, Alejandro Calderon-Urrea,
David L. Chesemore, S. Fai Cheuk, William K. Collin, Paul R. Crosbie, Stephen
Ervin, David E. Grubbs, Ethelynda E. Harding, Ruth A. Kern, Shirley A. Kovacs,
Thomas E. Mallory, James P. Prince, Vivian A. Vidoli, Alice D.Wright, Lenore
Yousef, Fredrick W. Zechman
Faculty expertise spans the range of biology from molecular to ecological,
with a broad representation of taxonomic specialties. Laboratories in upper-division
major courses are taught by faculty, and individualized student/faculty
research participation through independent study is encouraged.
The Department
Biology is the scientific study of life: its properties, its complexity,
and its incredible variety. Biological studies may focus on objects as small
as molecules or as large as whales. They range from the inner workings of
cells to the structure of whole ecosystems, and they lead biologists from
the tops of mountains and the deepest ocean trenches into sophisticated
modern laboratories.
The Department of Biology offers a diversified undergraduate program that
matches the breadth and excitement of modern biology and prepares students
for the hundreds of career opportunities that use biology as a foundation.
The Bachelor of Science degree requires the successful completion of the
core program and one of the following four options:
- Organismic and General Biology allows students to develop a broad program that cuts across taxonomic lines or to specialize in a particular taxonomic group. This option is also appropriate for students planning to enter the field of clinical laboratory technology.
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology utilizes advanced technology to uncover the fundamental unifying processes of living things.
- Physiology and Anatomy seeks to understand the mechanisms that operate within the individual organism.
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology focuses on the interrelationships between living organisms and their environments.
The biology major we offer has three programmatic goals:
- To provide students with a solid foundation in all aspects of modern biology and also the intellectual skills that will serve as the basis for a lifetime of future achievement.
- To provide students with the specialized educational opportunities that will allow them to compete successfully for careers in the biological sciences or for advanced studies in major doctoral programs.
- To provide preprofessional students with the knowledge needed for advanced study in the many fields that build upon a biological foundation.
Our undergraduate biology major is excellent preparation for graduate
programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, forestry, veterinary medicine,
optometry, doctoral programs, and many others.
The department offers a Master of Science degree in Biology for qualified
students who wish to explore biology in greater depth. It also participates
in a postbaccalaureate certificate program in biotechnology.
Advising is an integral part of the departmental program and all biology
majors are assigned advisers. This student/faculty collaboration on program
planning is undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the postgraduate successes
of our students.
Faculty and Facilities
Faculty expertise spans the range of biology from molecular to ecological, with a broad representation of taxonomic specialties. Laboratories in upper-division major courses are taught by faculty, and individualized student/faculty research participation through independent study is encouraged.
The department is housed in a well-equipped, modern science building.
Excellent greenhouse and animal care facilities provide support to the instructional
program. Fresno's proximity to both the Sierra Nevada crest and the Pacific
coast, provides an "outdoor laboratory" with numerous field trip
opportunities that are rarely equalled at other institutions. Students with
interests in marine biology can study at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
(MLML).
Biology
Courses