Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Concentration in Forensic Science

at California State University - East Bay USA

Biology is concerned with living matter in all its forms, responses, and interactions. It deals with the study of anything that has been or is alive: microbes, fungi, plants, “protists” and all animals, including humans. The science of biology includes a large number of highly integrated sub-disciplines such as microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, systematics, and behavior. Biologists must draw upon a wide variety of academic disciplines to make observations and form conclusions, and well-trained biologists have solid backgrounds in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, and the humanities, as required by graduate programs and professional schools, to meet the demands of professions in the life sciences.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a diversified curriculum in the life sciences. Courses are designed for biology majors with specific degree objectives, for students seeking applied technical training, and for non-major students with general interest in biological subjects. Undergraduate programs will prepare students for both graduate work and for a diversity of careers. Biology majors may enter specialized or general careers in life science and find themselves working in laboratories, offices, the field, administrative posts, academic institutions, industry, government agencies, private foundations, botanic gardens, wildlife preserves and zoos.  Simply put, biologists study the living planet.

The Master of Science degree in Biological Science offers students the opportunity to obtain advanced academic and research experience in specialized areas.  Biological science is an exciting field offering students numerous options for rewarding careers and scientific advancement. The M.S. in Biological Science is a research-based thesis program that provides students with opportunities to develop and complete research projects to enhance advancement and career opportunities in biology.  It requires 30 semester units of coursework.

Biology is concerned with living matter in all its forms, responses, and interactions. It deals with the study of anything that has been or is alive: microbes, fungi, plants, “protists” and all animals, including humans. The science of biology includes a large number of highly integrated sub-disciplines such as microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, systematics, and behavior. Biologists must draw upon a wide variety of academic disciplines to make observations and form conclusions, and well-trained biologists have solid backgrounds in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, and the humanities, as required by graduate programs and professional schools, to meet the demands of professions in the life sciences.

The Liberal Studies Major aims to provide a rich liberal art educational experience through selected courses from a wide range of academic disciplines, while at the same time allowing students to select a field for in-depth study of their own interest.  The broad-based, interdisciplinary nature of Liberal Studies provides a solid well-rounded undergraduate educational experience, integrating knowledge from arts and humanities, social science, and natural sciences, with analytical and communication skills well suited for many careers and professions.

The major consists of a common core and a choice from seven concentrations, designed to meet diverse student interests and needs not only for school teaching, but also for leadership in government, non-profit organizations, and business, and for graduate education in law, counseling, social work and services, public affairs and administration, and educational leadership.

The Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology is offered by the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. The objective of this degree program is the professional preparation of each student, academically and clinically, for state licensure (CA), national certification in Speech-Language Pathology by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and the Speech-Language-Hearing Services credential to work in public school settings in California.

Speech-language pathology and Audiology are clinical professions, with goals of making effective communication a human right for all persons, and for competently serving children and adults with disorders and differences of speech, language, hearing, cognition, and swallowing.

This program has rigorous and balanced academic and clinical training. *The Master’s degree program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

The mission of the B.A. program in Sociology is to provide a stimulating and cooperative learning atmosphere for a highly diverse group of students. The program seeks to foster a lifelong love of learning about the social, cultural, political, and economic institutions humans have created and the directions they are changing. The program’s goal is for students to think deeply about ways social structures and processes influence individuals’ lives and opportunities, and how individuals can contribute to building more inclusive and satisfying communities and organizations. The program’s faculty members are dedicated to providing students with tools that will empower and prepare them to be active citizens in their families, communities, organizations, and workplaces, and to expand their understanding of community engagement to include national and global projects aimed at addressing larger social problems. The wide range of courses and flexible program structure prepare successful students to enter master’s and doctoral programs in several fields including Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Law, Political Science, Counseling, Education, and Public Administration.

Students will increase their appreciation of the value of all human beings and a commitment to an inclusive and just society that addresses the needs of all groups of people. In acquiring a deep understanding of the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and human interaction within these contexts, students develop their capacity for more personally rewarding and socially responsible participation and leadership in their families, their work, their communities, and society as a whole.

The Master of Science in Counseling degree requires 60 units organized according to university and degree program requirements. Requirements are established to ensure that each degree candidate obtains adequate breadth in subject matter, field experiences, and research.

School Counseling Concentration
The School Counseling concentration is designed to prepare candidates to be professional school counselors who use data-driven, comprehensive programs and services to advocate for social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in P-20 settings.  Candidates have an option to complete additional fieldwork hours to acquire an Associate Marriage and Family Therapy License (Intern License) to increase their options to work with children and families inside and outside of schools.  The School Counseling Program is committed to training socially just candidates who are competent in developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive programs and services that are designed to be educational and preventative with a focus on developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive approaches. 

The Department of Criminal Justice offers an undergraduate degree designed for the development of knowledge and understanding of practices, criminological theory, and concepts of the criminal justice system. Through the examination of crime prevention, forensic science and investigation, corrections and community-based programs, equity and diversity, and impact of victimization students will be provided with a general understanding of the issues facing the criminal and juvenile justice systems. This major will prepare students to be leaders for positive change in the community along with careers in law enforcement, corrections, victim advocacy, law, and community-based programs.

Many local, state, federal and private agencies employ Cal State East Bay criminal justice graduates. Senior majors may qualify for internship placement in criminal justice agencies throughout the Bay Area.

Local level agencies include municipal police departments, county sheriffs’ offices, probation departments, halfway and pre-release houses, group homes, crisis centers, juvenile halls, welfare fraud units, computer crime analysis, and retail and industrial security agencies. State level agencies include: the Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Departments of Justice, Fish and Game, and Forestry. Federal level agencies include the Border Patrol; F.B.I.; Secret Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Internal Revenue Service; National Park Service; Customs; Postal Inspection Service; and Federal Prisons.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides a strong education in chemistry and biochemistry that prepares its students to function and thrive in our society. The department attempts to increase the problem solving and critical thinking skills of all students. Non-science students learn about the scientific and chemical aspects of everyday life that allow them to understand issues related to the environment, energy production, disease prevention, and nutrition. Students of the sciences learn the fundamentals of chemistry that control the interactions of elements and molecules. Building on an understanding of mathematics, physics, and biology, biochemistry majors receive a background in the major disciplines of chemistry including inorganic, analytical, organic, and physical, and take in-depth coursework in biochemistry. Students learn the protocols and techniques for working safely with chemicals and biochemicals. The department recognizes the importance of the pursuit of new knowledge in the development of skilled scientists and productive members of society, and encourages its students to participate in research projects and cooperative educational opportunities.

The Bachelor of Science degree, major in Biochemistry, is designed to prepare students for entrance into graduate programs of biochemistry and professional health-related programs such as pharmacy, dentistry or medicine. In addition, students completing this program are prepared to secure employment in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology and related fields. This program is intended for students desiring the highest degree of technical proficiency in this specialized area at the undergraduate level.

The Communication Department features the integration of theories and criticism with the essential skills for media production, professional engagement, and meaningful research. Graduates will be able to make a positive, professional, and important contribution in communication theory and research, Strategic Communication, Multimedia Journalism, and Communication and Media Studies. Students will study, research and analyze the perspectives that will lead to their becoming inclusive, ethical, and effective leaders and participants in global and local communities. They will acquire skills in critical analysis, speaking, writing, and visual presentations across all media. They will learn about the changing world of today’s and future media as well as the long history of the relationship between communication, self, and society and they will be prepared for a broad array of careers or graduate studies. All undergraduates must complete 32 units in 8 core courses in communication and elect one of three concentrations: Multimedia Journalism emphasizing digital journalism for social justice that converges print, audio, visual, and video; Strategic Communication that converges the study of Advertising, Public Relations and Organizational Communication; and Communication and Media Studies that is designed to give students maximum flexibility in the 21st century job market while providing ample depth for those wishing to pursue graduate study.