Units required for Major: 63-67
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The Department of Biological Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. At the undergraduate level, students are able to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, or a Minor in Biological Sciences.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (37-41 Units) | ||
| BIO 1 | Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology 1 | 5 |
| BIO 2 | Cells, Molecules and Genes | 5 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I 1 | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 - 6 | |
| Organic Chemistry Lecture--Brief Course 2 | ||
| Organic Chemistry Lecture I Organic Chemistry Lecture II | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 - 4 | |
| Calculus I for the Social and Life Sciences | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| PHYS 5A | General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound | 4 |
| PHYS 5B | General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics | 4 |
| STAT 1 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Courses (23 Units) | ||
| BIO 100 | Introduction to Scientific Analysis | 3 |
| BIO 121 | Molecular Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 139 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 160 | General Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 184 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 188 | Evolution | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | General Biochemistry 3 | 3 |
| Elective Courses (3 Units) | ||
| Select one course from the following Structure and Function Electives: | 3 | |
| Physiology of Human Reproduction | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy | ||
| Neuroanatomy | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Morphology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Plant Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Histology | ||
| Systemic Physiology | ||
| Neurophysiology | ||
| Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Physiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Total Units | 63-67 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
CHEM 24 and CHEM 124 may be taken in lieu of CHEM 20. (CHEM 124 is not counted toward the 24 upper division unit requirement in the major.)
- 3
CHEM 160A and CHEM 160B may be taken in lieu of CHEM 161. Only three units of the package may be counted toward the upper division major requirement.
Notes:
- Pre-Health Professional students should take the Chemistry and Math requirements as stated in the Pre-Health Professional Program section of this catalog.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (3 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science 2 | 0 | |
| B2 - Life Forms 2 | 0 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 2 | 0 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts 2 | 0 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 39 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Biological Science, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| MATH 26A or MATH 30 |
Calculus I for the Social and Life Sciences 3 or Calculus I |
3 - 4 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| STAT 1 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 1 | Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 2 | Cells, Molecules and Genes | 5 |
| CHEM 20 |
Organic Chemistry Lecture--Brief Course 3 or Organic Chemistry Lecture I or Organic Chemistry Lecture II |
3 |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 100 | Introduction to Scientific Analysis | 3 |
| BIO 184 | General Genetics | 4 |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 121 | Molecular Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 160 | General Ecology | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 139 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 188 | Evolution | 3 |
| PHYS 5A | General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound | 4 |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS 5B | General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics | 4 |
| Biological Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 122-123 | |
Biological Science, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| BIO 100 | Introduction to Scientific Analysis | 3 |
| BIO 184 | General Genetics | 4 |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 121 | Molecular Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 160 | General Ecology | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 139 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 188 | Evolution | 3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Biological Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 61 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.