Field Biologist - Major #6083

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The Field Biologist Certificate is a program designed to provide students with education and training in various aspects of field biology in preparation for 1) entry level employment in the environmental consulting field or government agencies 2) entry level field research assistant and 3) continuing education in biology. A certificated field biologist may work in the field doing plant and animals surveys, threatened and endangered species surveys, sensitive habitat delineation, biological construction monitoring or scientific data collection, all under the direction of qualified professional biologists. Students planning for a career in biology in most cases will need to earn at least a Bachelor’s Degree. Therefore biology students are strongly encouraged to meet with a counselor about transfer requirements (IGETC/CSU certification) early in their program. Biology students should also meet with biology faculty about course/program offerings as soon as possible in order to complete the program in a timely manner.

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Apply field sampling techniques that qualitatively and quantitatively measure and describe the role of a living organism in its environment.
  2. 2. Identify major habitat types and ecological phenomena in the field.
  3. 4. Correctly use various plant and animal taxonomic keys.
  4. 3. Describe the natural history of select plants, animals, and fungi of California.
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester

Term 1

9 units

BIOL 11A
Biology for Science Majors I

5 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
The first of two introductory courses for biology majors, focusing on concepts in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, inheritance, and evolution. Intended for biology, pre-medical, pre-veterinarian, and pre-pharmacy majors. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: MATH 103
  2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    1. CSU Transfer

      Select one of the following (7 units in total are required):

      4 units

      RECOMMEND GEOL 1

      ANTHRO 16A
      Field Archaeology I

      2 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      Students in this course gain hands-on field experience in archaeology, focusing on the development of practical skills. This includes training in archaeological survey techniques, excavation methods, mapping procedures, and site recording. The curriculum also covers the identification of artifacts, features, sites, and cultural landscapes in real field situations. Students will learn about the logistics involved in archaeological projects. Participation in a required orientation meeting precedes the field experience. (A, CSU, UC)

      BIOL 14
      Conservation Biology

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      An introductory course in conservation biology. An exploration of phenomena influencing Earth's biological diversity with an emphasis on ecological principles and human impacts. A focus on natural resource use, management and future challenges for a growing human population. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
      Course Details:
      1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
        1. CSU Transfer

          BIOL 15
          Animal Biology

          4 units
          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
          Introductory course exploring biological concepts as they relate to animal structure and function, inheritance, ecology, and evolution. Recommended for non-biological science majors and liberal studies majors. Field trips required. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
          Course Details:
          1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
            1. CSU Transfer

              BIOL 16
              Plant Biology

              4 units
              Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
              Introductory course exploring biological concepts as they relate to plant structure and function, inheritance, ecology, and evolution. Recommended for non-biological science majors and liberal studies majors. Field trips required. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
              Course Details:
              1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                1. CSU Transfer

                  BIOL 71
                  Field Biology of the High and Eastern Sierra Nevada

                  1 unit
                  Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
                  Investigation of plants, animals, and fungi with an emphasis on the natural history and ecology of the High Sierra and its eastern slope. This is a short-term field-based course with required field trips. Multi-day camping and moderate hiking at high elevation are a part of this course. Additional costs for food, campground and entrance fees. (A, CSU)
                  Course Details:
                  1. Advisory: BIOL 7
                    1. CSU Transfer

                      BIOL 72
                      Field Biology of the Central California Coast

                      1 unit
                      Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
                      Investigation of plants, animals, and fungi with an emphasis on the natural history and ecology of the Central California Coast. This is a short-term field-based course with required field trips. Multi-day camping and moderate hiking in the elements are a part of this course. Additional costs for food, campground and entrance fees. (A, CSU)
                      Course Details:
                      1. Advisory: BIOL 7
                        1. CSU Transfer

                          GEOG 1
                          Physical Geography

                          4 units
                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                          The Earth’s dynamic physical systems and processes. Topics include weather, climate, geomorphology, soils, and the biosphere. Emphasis on interrelationships among systems and processes and their resulting patterns and distributions. Tools of geographic inquiry include maps, remote sensing, graphic data, and models. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                          Course Details:
                              1. CSU Transfer

                                GEOG 10
                                Introduction to GIS

                                3 units
                                Effective Term: 2023 Fall Semester
                                Introduction to the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including familiarization with commonly used GIS software, data sources, organization and input of data, display of spatial data, querying and methods of data analysis, and real-world applications of GIS to problem-solving. (A, CSU, UC)
                                Course Details:
                                    1. CSU Transfer

                                      GEOL 1
                                      Physical Geology

                                      4 units
                                      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                      This course consists of an introduction to the principles and unifying concepts of earth science including geologic time, formation and internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, rock and mineral identification, weathering processes, landforms, earthquakes, volcanic activity, flooding and groundwater resources. Laboratory exercises will include rock and mineral identification, and interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. Optional field trips to classic geologic locations. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                      Course Details:
                                          1. CSU Transfer

                                            GEOL 3
                                            Geology Field Studies

                                            1 unit
                                            Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
                                            This course consists of geology field studies of a classic geologic location, such as Death Valley, Eastern Sierra, Lassen, Kings Canyon, San Andreas Fault, etc. Required camping field trips. Additional costs for food, campground, and entrance fees. (A, CSU, UC)
                                            Course Details:
                                                1. CSU Transfer

                                                  GEOL 4
                                                  Geology of California

                                                  3 units
                                                  Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                  This course is an introduction to the geologic setting and evolution of California using the concepts of plate tectonics, stratigraphy, and processes that have and are still shaping the landscape, including volcanism, earthquakes, and erosion. Optional field trips. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                  Course Details:
                                                      1. CSU Transfer

                                                        Term 2

                                                        13 units

                                                        BIOL 7
                                                        Field Biology

                                                        5 units
                                                        Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                        Field-based investigation of plants, animals, and fungi emphasizing natural history, taxonomy, and ecology of local species and methods of field study. Weekly required field trips with moderate hiking and a multi-day field trip are included. This is a required course for the Field Biologist Certificate at FCC. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                        Course Details:
                                                        1. Prerequisite: BIOL 3
                                                        2. Prerequisite: BIOL 11A
                                                        3. Prerequisite: BIOL 15
                                                        4. Prerequisite: BIOL 16
                                                          1. CSU Transfer

                                                            BIOL 11B
                                                            Biology for Science Majors II

                                                            5 units
                                                            Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                            The second of two introductory courses for biology majors, focusing on concepts surrounding the evolution and classification of Earth's biodiversity, the structure and function of organisms, and ecology. Intended for biology, pre-medical, pre-veterinarian, and pre-pharmacy majors. Field trips are included in this course. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                            Course Details:
                                                            1. Prerequisite: BIOL 11A
                                                            2. Prerequisite: MATH 103
                                                              1. CSU Transfer

                                                                Select 3 units from the following (7 units in total are required):

                                                                3 units

                                                                ANTHRO 16A
                                                                Field Archaeology I

                                                                2 units
                                                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                Students in this course gain hands-on field experience in archaeology, focusing on the development of practical skills. This includes training in archaeological survey techniques, excavation methods, mapping procedures, and site recording. The curriculum also covers the identification of artifacts, features, sites, and cultural landscapes in real field situations. Students will learn about the logistics involved in archaeological projects. Participation in a required orientation meeting precedes the field experience. (A, CSU, UC)

                                                                BIOL 14
                                                                Conservation Biology

                                                                3 units
                                                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                An introductory course in conservation biology. An exploration of phenomena influencing Earth's biological diversity with an emphasis on ecological principles and human impacts. A focus on natural resource use, management and future challenges for a growing human population. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                                Course Details:
                                                                1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                                                                  1. CSU Transfer

                                                                    BIOL 15
                                                                    Animal Biology

                                                                    4 units
                                                                    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                    Introductory course exploring biological concepts as they relate to animal structure and function, inheritance, ecology, and evolution. Recommended for non-biological science majors and liberal studies majors. Field trips required. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                                    Course Details:
                                                                    1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                                                                      1. CSU Transfer

                                                                        BIOL 16
                                                                        Plant Biology

                                                                        4 units
                                                                        Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                        Introductory course exploring biological concepts as they relate to plant structure and function, inheritance, ecology, and evolution. Recommended for non-biological science majors and liberal studies majors. Field trips required. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                                        Course Details:
                                                                        1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                                                                          1. CSU Transfer

                                                                            BIOL 71
                                                                            Field Biology of the High and Eastern Sierra Nevada

                                                                            1 unit
                                                                            Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
                                                                            Investigation of plants, animals, and fungi with an emphasis on the natural history and ecology of the High Sierra and its eastern slope. This is a short-term field-based course with required field trips. Multi-day camping and moderate hiking at high elevation are a part of this course. Additional costs for food, campground and entrance fees. (A, CSU)
                                                                            Course Details:
                                                                            1. Advisory: BIOL 7
                                                                              1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                BIOL 72
                                                                                Field Biology of the Central California Coast

                                                                                1 unit
                                                                                Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
                                                                                Investigation of plants, animals, and fungi with an emphasis on the natural history and ecology of the Central California Coast. This is a short-term field-based course with required field trips. Multi-day camping and moderate hiking in the elements are a part of this course. Additional costs for food, campground and entrance fees. (A, CSU)
                                                                                Course Details:
                                                                                1. Advisory: BIOL 7
                                                                                  1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                    GEOG 1
                                                                                    Physical Geography

                                                                                    4 units
                                                                                    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                    The Earth’s dynamic physical systems and processes. Topics include weather, climate, geomorphology, soils, and the biosphere. Emphasis on interrelationships among systems and processes and their resulting patterns and distributions. Tools of geographic inquiry include maps, remote sensing, graphic data, and models. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                                                    Course Details:
                                                                                        1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                          GEOG 10
                                                                                          Introduction to GIS

                                                                                          3 units
                                                                                          Effective Term: 2023 Fall Semester
                                                                                          Introduction to the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including familiarization with commonly used GIS software, data sources, organization and input of data, display of spatial data, querying and methods of data analysis, and real-world applications of GIS to problem-solving. (A, CSU, UC)
                                                                                          Course Details:
                                                                                              1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                                GEOL 1
                                                                                                Physical Geology

                                                                                                4 units
                                                                                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                This course consists of an introduction to the principles and unifying concepts of earth science including geologic time, formation and internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, rock and mineral identification, weathering processes, landforms, earthquakes, volcanic activity, flooding and groundwater resources. Laboratory exercises will include rock and mineral identification, and interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. Optional field trips to classic geologic locations. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                                                                Course Details:
                                                                                                    1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                                      GEOL 3
                                                                                                      Geology Field Studies

                                                                                                      1 unit
                                                                                                      Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
                                                                                                      This course consists of geology field studies of a classic geologic location, such as Death Valley, Eastern Sierra, Lassen, Kings Canyon, San Andreas Fault, etc. Required camping field trips. Additional costs for food, campground, and entrance fees. (A, CSU, UC)
                                                                                                      Course Details:
                                                                                                          1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                                            GEOL 4
                                                                                                            Geology of California

                                                                                                            3 units
                                                                                                            Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                            This course is an introduction to the geologic setting and evolution of California using the concepts of plate tectonics, stratigraphy, and processes that have and are still shaping the landscape, including volcanism, earthquakes, and erosion. Optional field trips. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
                                                                                                            Course Details:
                                                                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                  Total: 22 units