Admission Under Impaction

To be eligible for admission to the major, first-time freshmen must have: a minimum high school CSU college prep GPA of 3.00; a minimum SAT (math and critical reading only) score of 900 or an ACT composite score of 20; and must meet the campus impaction admission criteria.
Lower division continuing students who wish to be accepted as Biology majors must: have a minimum GPA of 2.25; have completed Principles of Biology I (BIOL 1100 or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better; have completed General Chemistry I (CHEM 1100 or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better; and  at least be calculus ready..
Upper division continuing students who wish to change their major to Biology or transfer students who want to enter the Biology BS program must: have a minimum GPA of 2.75; have completed General Chemistry I-II (CHEM 1100-and CHEM 1110 or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or better in each course; and at least be calculus ready.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides an integrative experience emphasizing core concepts and cutting-edge techniques from areas such as molecular, cellular and developmental biology; genetics; and organismal, ecological, and environmental biology. The degree may lead to graduate study in biology or related fields, entrance into health professional schools, or employment in other technical applications of biology. The department also participates in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree program in Natural Science.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology is 120 units, of which 48 units are required in General Education (GE) with 9 units of GE double-counted for GE and major, which leaves  81 units in the major. For GE, Biology majors must complete 9 units of Communication and Critical Thinking (GE Block A1, A2, and A3) + 6 units of American Institutions + 6 units of Arts and Humanities (GE Block C) + 6 units of Social Sciences (GE Block D) + 3 units of Life-Long Understanding (GE block E, which can be fulfilled by completing  the IHE course) + 9 units of Upper Division (UD) GE. To fulfill the Upper Division GE requirement, students must complete one course in each of the three following breadth areas (Natural Science and Mathematics; Humanities; and Social Sciences). Two GE courses must be certified as Diversity courses (d = Designated Diversity courses). At least one diversity course must focus on race and ethnicity and will be designated with re in the catalog (re = Race and Ethnicity Designated Diversity course). One GE course at the upper division level must contain a Civic Learning or Community Engagement component (CL = Designated Civic Learning/Community Engagement courses). In addition to composition courses taken for Blocks A2 and A3, students will complete at least two writing intensive courses with at least one in the major (WI = Designated Writing Intensive Courses). Biology majors fulfill 9 units of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (GE Block B1, B2, and B4) by completing required major or equivalent courses: either CHEM 1100 OR PHYS 1100 (whichever one is completed first) for GE Block B1; BIOL 1100 for GE Block B2 + Biology majors fulfill Mathematics (GE - Block B4) by completing required major course (MATH 2040 or MATH 2050 or equivalent) or prerequisite course (MATH 1050 or MATH 1081 or MATH 1085 or equivalent) or other college level math (if changing major to biology). Consult with a department advisor for more specifics on free electives, GE, and other university requirements.