Advising Information
All Biology majors start with the same group of gateway courses. Students should start taking biology classes as soon as possible! An ideal first-year schedule is to take Marine Biology (BIO 105), Organisms on Earth (Bio 110), or General Zoology (Bio 115) in the fall semester, along with Foundations of General Chemistry (CHEM 120 or CHEM 130). This would be followed in the spring semester by Cell and Molecular Biology (BIO 130).
Placement Information
Most students who are interested in majoring in Biology should take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if any of the following are true:
- You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam;
- You received an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;
- You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university.
Sample 4-Year Plan
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Fall
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Spring
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Year 1
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Spring FYS course
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CHEM 120 or CHEM 130 (CPLS)
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Core Requirement (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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Year 2
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Year 3
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300-level BIO
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200-level Cell & Molecular
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General Elective (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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Year 4
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BIO 490 or 300-level BIO
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General Elective (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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Curricular Notes