Mission Statement
1. A. Department Mission Statement
The fundamental mission of the Biology Department is to
provide an intensive, progressive, and balanced learning
experience in cell and molecular biology, organismal
biology, and environmental biology to serve a student
population that is highly diverse, both in educational and
ethnic background, and in academic and career goals. To
accomplish this mission, the department offers three
baccalaureate programs, an M.S program, and two Minor
programs. Recognizing the crucial role of research in
science education, the Biology Department is committed to
offering research opportunities to all interested and
qualified students. The department also offers courses that
satisfy General Education Section B2B, and service courses
for majors in Clinical Sciences, Health Sciences, Liberal
Studies, Physical Education, and Human Services. All
courses are offered in the evening, on a rotating basis, to
accommodate working students.
1.
A. (Supplement) Biology Program Mission Statements
B.A.
The mission of the B.A. program is to provide balanced
learning experiences, in theory and basic laboratory
skills, in cell and molecular biology, organismal biology,
population and community biology, and environmental
science. Elective courses and the requirement for a minor
in another discipline allow maximum flexibility to fit
student needs and career goals.
B.S.
(General Option)
The mission of the B.S. program is to provide the same
basic learning experiences as the B.A. program and, in
addition, to provide more intensive and extensive depth of
knowledge in at least one area of specialization in modern
biology. Since many students in the B.S. program plan
further study in graduate programs, the Biology Department
is committed to offering research opportunities to all
interested and qualified B.S.students as part of their
undergraduate education.
B.S.
(Microbiology Option)
The mission of the B.S. in Microbiology program is to
provide basic education in core subjects of modern biology
and advanced and intensive training, with an emphasis on
laboratory methodology, in microbiology, immunology,
parasitology, and related areas for students planning
careers in applied biology.
M.S.
The mission of the M.S. Program is to provide advanced
training in modern biology through lecture, seminar, and
independent research as a preparation for further study in
a doctoral program or professional school or for a career
in teaching or laboratory research. Since research
experience plays a crucial role in science education, and
in acceptance to doctoral and professional programs, all
students are required to conduct independent research, with
faculty supervision, leading to a thesis.
Minor
in Biology (General Option)
The mission of the Minor in Biology (General Option) is to
provide maximum flexibility to satisfy the needs of a
highly disparate population of students with majors in
other departments, who, nevertheless, need enough biology
coursework to constitute a Minor.
Minor
in Microbiology
The mission of the Minor in Microbiology is to provide
intensive training in microbiology, immunology, and
biochemistry, with fewer overall units than a baccalaureate
program, for majors in sciences other than biology, who
have career goals in clinical microbiology, food science,
or biotechnology laboratories.
Service
and General Studies Courses
The mission of Biology 102 and 103L is to provide a
detailed overview of modern thought in the life sciences,
the scientific method as applied to biology, and the
implications of modern biology for society. Service courses
are designed to satisfy requirements of other departments,
and may also be used as electives for the Minor in Biology
(General Option).
1. B. Relationship of Departmental Mission to University
Mission
According to the University
Mission, CSUDH is
“…a multicultural, multiethnic teaching and learning
community dedicated to excellence and committed to
educating a student population of unprecedented diversity
for leadership roles in the global community of the 21 st
century.”
The programs offered by the Biology Department are designed
to serve a student population that is highly diverse, both
in educational and ethnic background, and in academic and
career goals. In terms of ethnicity, undergraduate and
graduate biology students are representative of the CSUDH
student body. Many are the first generation in their
families to attend college. Finally, many undergraduate and
graduate biology students have family responsibilities and
work at least part-time; this is particularly true of
graduate students, a significant fraction of which are K-12
teachers. Consequently all courses are offered in the
evening at least once per year, consistent with the
University Mission,
“These programs are offered at times and locations
convenient for the students we serve.”
A baccalaureate in biology is the gateway to a career in a
medical profession, or in biomedical research at the Ph.D.
level. Almost 3/4 of all biology majors come from ethnic
groups traditionally underrepresented in these fields.
Thus, an implicit mission of the Biology Department is to
provide opportunities for these students to enter
professions from which they have been historically
excluded.
Experience in independent research is a very important
factor in acceptance into medical schools and doctoral
programs in biology. Hands-on training in research is also
crucial for K-12 teachers to be able to convey to their
students how science works and how to distinguishing
science from pseudo-science. Thus, an essential mission of
the Biology Department is to provide opportunities for
independent research for all graduate students and all
interested and qualified undergraduate biology majors. To
accomplish that mission, we have cooperative relationships
with Harbor-UCLA, King-Drew, USC and several local agencies
like the Orange County Water Quality District, to allow
expanded research and service opportunities for our
students. This is consistent with the University
Mission
, “…pursues productive relationships with educational,
public sector, and business communities….”
The Minor in Biology programs, service courses, and General
Education courses serve a very broad population of
students. Since Biology 102 and 103L are the only life
science courses many of these students, including Liberal
Studies majors, will ever take, we take our mission of
providing a high quality experience in these courses very
seriously. As an example, we have developed sections of
Biology 103L specifically designed for Liberal Studies
majors and taught by practicing
teachers.