Department Awards

The Natural History Department Award recognizes achievement by students interested in careers in natural history interpretation, freshwater and marine fisheries, forestry, environmental monitoring and wildlife management.  The curriculum for the Natural History Department Award is individually designed with the student's career goals, interests and talents in mind. The courses are selected in consultation with the Faculty Adviser for Natural History. The Faculty Adviser submits this program of study to the Biological Sciences Department for review and approval.  

Following departmental approval, students are given an Approved Program of Study comprising 29-30 units from one of the many emphases in natural history, such as field identification, ecology, nature photography, aquatic biology, zoology, botany, and biological illustration. To qualify for the Natural History Departmental Award, students must complete each of the courses in the approved program of study with "C" or better.  It is important that the student pursuing a Natural History Award consult with the Faculty Adviser early for program approval.
Faculty Advisers:  Jennifer Maupin (805.730.4196, maupin@sbcc.edu) for on-campus students and Larry Friesen (friesen@pipeline.sbcc.edu) for online students.

Required Classes and when they are usually offered

Required Classes
Class #	Title	Units	Fall	Spring	Summ I	Summ II
BIOL 110	Natural Science OR	3	X	X	X	X
BIOL 120	Natural History OR	4	X*	X
BIOL 140	Principles of Biology	3	X	X	X
BIOL 112	Evolution & Adaptation OR	3	X	X*
BIOL 150	Biodiversity	3				X
BIOL 122	Ecology  AND	3	X	X		X
BIOL 123	Ecology Lab	1	X
BIOL 144	Biogeography OR	3
ERTH 141/GEOG 101	Physical Geography	3	X and X*	X and X*
BOT 121	Plant Diversity	4	X	X		X
ZOOL 122	Animal Diversity	3	X	X	X

 X* = On campus class, X = online class.  
BIOL 101 may substitute for BOT 121. ZOOL 123: Animal Diversity lab is recommended. 
BIOL 102: Animal Biology may substitute for ZOOL 122 & 123.

Plus 9 units of Natural History electives: Students may choose courses from the areas of Anthropology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Botany, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology.  Courses must be selected in consultation with the Natural HIstory Advisor and approved by the Biological Sciences Department.

A student must complete each of the courses required with a grade of "C" or better.

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The Bio-Medical Sciences Departmental Award recognizes achievement by students interested in careers in the allied health fields, physical/health education, recreation and sports technology. Core courses consist of BMS 107: Human Anatomy, BMS 108: Human Physiology and BMS 127: Medical Microbiology. In addition to the core curriculum, students must select 18 units of electives from an approved listing of courses in biology, anthropology, art, chemistry, physical/health education, recreation and human biology. A student must complete each of the courses in the Approved Program of Study with a grade of “C” or better.  

Bio-Medical Sciences Required Classes and when they are offered

Required Classes			Semester offered
Class #	Title	Units	Fall	Spring	Summer  I	Summer  II
BMS 107	Human Anatomy	4	X	X	X (Hybrid)
BMS 108	Human Physiology	4	X	X	X (Hybrid or online)	X (Online)
BMS 127	Medical Microbiology	4	X	X

In addition to the required classes, the student must select 18 units of Bio-Medical Sciences electives from an approved listing of courses in biology, anthropology, art, chemistry, physical/health education, recreation and human biology. The students should consult with the faculty adviser to select appropriate courses to best match the student's interests and goals. Department Requirements: 31 units Back to Top

The Marine Science Departmental Award comprises 21 units and signifies that students have a broad background in the physical and biological processes of the world’s oceans and the tools and techniques with which they are studied. The curriculum includes courses from Biology, Marine Technology and Earth and Planetary Sciences, and is especially suited to students interested in the fields of mariculture, boating and recreation, skin and Scuba diving, fishing, scientific research and marine science. Students interested in a Marine Biology major should take the Biological Sciences majors sequence. You are encouraged to supplement this sequence with courses in Marine Science

Marine Science Required Courses (21 units) Students planning on completing the Marine Science curriculum in two semesters can begin in either Fall or Spring.

Fall Semester
BIOL 124* — Biological Oceanography ..............................4
ERTH 152 — Weather and Climate or GEOG 152 — Weather and Climate .................................3
MDT 108 — Rigging..........................................................1.6
MDT 109 — Seamanship and Small Boat Handling..........2.1
HE 103* — Responding to Medical Emergencies................2

Spring Semester
BIOL 125* — Marine Biology................................................4
MDT 101 — Information and Introduction to Marine Diving Technology .........................................................0.3
ERTH 151/151L — Introductory Physical Oceanography & Lab........................................................4
Plus completion of Basic Scuba Diving Certificate
*Substitutions: The combination of BIOL 101 (Plant Biology) and BIOL 102 (Animal Biology) can be substituted for BIOL 125. The completion of AH 110 can be substituted for HE 103. The completion of BIOL 142 can be substituted for BIOL 124.

A student must complete each of the required courses (or use substitution options) with a grade of “C” or better.

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