Bachelor of Science in Biology: Concentration in Physiology
General Information and Requirements
- Candidates entering the bachelor’s programs in biology should have completed three years of high school mathematics and one year of high school chemistry to allow completion of the curriculum in a timely fashion (see Undergraduate Admission Requirements).
- All major coursework must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC is not acceptable).
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all coursework is required to receive a degree in these programs.
- To remain enrolled in a biology course, students must be prepared to provide copies of transcripts demonstrating completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C– or better.
- At least 12 units in biology must be completed at SF State.
- Early in the first semester, and at regular intervals thereafter, students must consult with a biology advisor to plan a program of study. For the most current advising information, go to biology.sfsu.edu.
Program Learning Outcomes
Core Competencies
- Understanding the Process of Science: Students will demonstrate how a theory is supported or can be rejected based on data from experiments.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Students will be able to create graphs and perform simple statistical tests to determine whether or not differences between groups are significant.
- Relationship Between Science and Society: Students will be able to explain a biological process or phenomenon as it relates to a societal issue.
Core Concepts
- Evolution: Students will be able to understand the fundamental concepts of evolution, role of selective pressures, how genes change
- Relationship Between Structure and Function: Students will be able to describe how variation in the structure of an organ in a plant or animal contributes to variation in its function
- Information Flow and Storage Students will be able to explain the transmission of heritable traits
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)
Students must earn a C or better in a GWAR course to satisfy the requirement.
Biology majors have the flexibility for which GWAR course they can take to meet their requirement, as long as the prerequisites for the course have been completed.
In general,
- Cell & Molecular Biology majors should take BIOL 351GW;
- Microbiology majors should take BIOL 402GW;
- Botany, Ecology, and Zoology majors may choose between BIOL 475GW, BIOL 478GW or BIOL 529GW;
- Marine Biology majors may choose between BIOL 570GW or BIOL 631GW; and
- Physiology majors may choose between BIOL 613GW or BIOL 631GW.
- General Biology majors may take any BIOL GWAR class.
See also the Department of Biology home page for GWAR in Biology: biology.sfsu.edu/content/gwar or contact a departmental advisor for further information.
The department does not permit multiple concentrations within the Biology degree program. All of the curricula require preliminary work in physics and chemistry because many important biological concepts are based squarely upon principles in the physical sciences. Also, each curriculum includes upper-division work in the biological sciences so that students will receive reasonable breadth and depth in their degree program. Because of the sequential arrangement of courses, students are urged to consult the descriptions for the prerequisites of all their courses.
Although course electives are listed for most of the majors, new electives are always being added to various programs. Therefore, we highly recommend that students seek advisement prior to enrolling in elective courses in their major.
Concentration in Physiology
This program is designed to provide a firm foundation in physiology. Students interested in vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant physiology will find this concentration appropriate. The program is especially suited for preparation for advanced study at the postgraduate level or to prepare for careers in the health professions. In addition to major curricula in physiology, service courses are provided for nursing, clinical science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and physical therapy majors.
Biology (B.S.): Concentration in Physiology — 67-70 units
General Education Requirements Met in the Major
The requirements below are deemed “met in the major” upon completion of the courses listed (even though the courses and their prerequisites are not approved for GE). This is true whether or not the student completes the major.
- Area B1 (Physical Science) is satisfied upon completion of CHEM 130 or CHEM 233 .
- Areas B2 (Life Science) and B3 (Laboratory Science) are satisfied upon completion of BIOL 240.
- Upper-Division General Education, Physical, and Life Sciences (UD–B) is satisfied upon completion of BIOL 355.
The GWAR in the B.S. Biology: Concentration in Physiology can be satisfied with the physiology lab courses BIOL 613GW or BIOL 631GW. Note: Either BIOL 612 or BIOL 630 may be used as prerequisites or corequisites for either BIOL 613GW or BIOL 631GW.
Lower-Division Requirements (38–39 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 230 | Introductory Biology I | 5 |
| BIOL 240 | Introductory Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 130 | General Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 215 & CHEM 216 | General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts and General Chemistry II Laboratory: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts | 5 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Select 3-4 units: | 3-4 | |
| Forensic Genetics: Math Matters 2 | ||
| Biometry | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Select one PHYS sequence: | ||
| PHYS 111 & PHYS 112 & PHYS 121 & PHYS 122 | General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory and General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | 8 |
| or PHYS 220 & PHYS 222 & PHYS 230 & PHYS 232 | General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory and General Physics with Calculus II and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory | |
Upper-Division Requirements (20-22 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select One: | 3 | |
| Biochemistry I | ||
| General Biochemistry | ||
| BIOL 350 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 355 | Genetics | 3 |
| Physiology Core Courses | ||
| Select 9 units from the following (one course must be BIOL 612 or BIOL 630): | 9 | |
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Cardiorespiratory Physiology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Biology of Aging | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Reproductive Physiology | ||
| Hormones and Behavior | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Cellular Neurosciences | ||
| Neural Systems Physiology | ||
| Physiology Lab | ||
| Select one course (2-4 units): | 2-4 | |
| Plant Molecular Physiology Laboratory 3 | ||
| Human Physiology Laboratory - GWAR | ||
| Animal Physiology Laboratory - GWAR | ||
Guided Electives (9-11 units)
Selected in consultation with an advisor:
Criteria for elective units:
- one elective must contain a laboratory component;
- one elective must be selected from each area listed below;
- and additional electives may be selected from the list of Physiology core courses and/or either of the areas listed below.
Cellular and Molecular
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 351GW | Experiments in Cell and Molecular Biology - GWAR | 4 |
| BIOL 357 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 382 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 435 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIOL 615 | Molecular Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BIOL 652 | Science Education Partners in Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 699 | Independent Study in Biology | 1-3 |
| BIOL 623 | Pharmacology (undergraduate students only) | 3 |
| BIOL 865 | Advances in Physiology and Behavioral Biology | 2 |
| CHEM 343 | Biochemistry I Laboratory | 3 |
Ecological, Anatomical, and Evolutionary
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 328 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 337 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 482 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 504 | Biology of the Fungi | 4 |
| BIOL 505 | Comparative Anatomy of Vascular Plants | 4 |
| BIOL 525 | Plant Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 526 | Plant Molecular Physiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 529GW | Plant Ecology - GWAR | 4 |
| BIOL 555 | Marine Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIOL 570GW | Biology of Fishes - GWAR | 4 |
| BIOL 585 | Marine Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 586 | Marine Ecology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 600 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
| BIOL 614 | Vertebrate Histology | 4 |
| BIOL 652 | Science Education Partners in Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 699 | Independent Study in Biology | 1-3 |
| BIOL 865 | Advances in Physiology and Behavioral Biology | 2 |
Note: A minimum of 30 upper-division units must be completed for the degree (including upper-division units required for the major, general education, electives, etc.). A student can complete this major yet not attain the necessary number of upper-division units required for graduation. In this case, additional upper-division courses will be needed to reach the required total.
Note: Courses may be used only once within the major. No more than one BIOL 699 may be used as an elective.
| 1 | Students interested in pursuing graduate study in physiology should take the one-year organic chemistry sequence (CHEM 233/CHEM 335) and the one-year biochemistry sequence (CHEM 340/CHEM 341) in place of CHEM 130 and CHEM 349. |
| 2 | BIOL 358 may be used as an upper-division Cell and Molecular elective if it has not been used to satisfy any lower-division requirements. |
| 3 | BIOL 526 may satisfy an upper-division Ecological, Anatomical and Evolutional elective if it has not already been used to satisfy the Physiology Lab Requirement. |
General Education Requirements
| Requirement | Course Level | Units | Area Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Communication | LD | 3 | A1 |
| Written English Communication I | LD | 3 | A2 |
| Critical Thinking | LD | 3 | A3 |
| Physical Science | LD | 3 | B1 |
| Life Science | LD | 3 | B2 |
| Lab Science | LD | 1 | B3 |
| Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning | LD | 3 | B4 |
| Arts | LD | 3 | C1 |
| Humanities | LD | 3 | C2 |
| Arts or Humanities | LD | 3 | C1 or C2 |
| Social Sciences | LD | 3 | D1 |
| Social Sciences: US History | LD | 3 | D2 |
| Social Sciences: US & CA Government | LD | 3 | D3 |
| Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (LLD) | LD | 3 | E |
| Physical and/or Life Science | UD | 3 | UD-B |
| Arts and/or Humanities | UD | 3 | UD-C |
| Social Sciences | UD | 3 | UD-D |
| SF State Studies | |||
| Courses certified as meeting the SF State Studies requirements may be upper or lower division in General Education (GE), a major or minor, or an elective. | |||
| American Ethnic and Racial Minorities | LD or UD | 3 | AERM |
| Environmental Sustainability | LD or UD | 3 | ES |
| Global Perspectives | LD or UD | 3 | GP |
| Social Justice | LD or UD | 3 | SJ |
Note: LD = Lower-Division; UD = Upper-Division.
First-Time Student Roadmap (4 Year)
Find the correct roadmap (A, B, C, or D):
- Select the row that matches your English Course choice for A2.*
- Select the column that matches your QR Category (found at your student center under Math Alert).
- Click the Roadmap that lines up with your row and column.
For example, if you are taking ENG 104 as your first English course and your student center math alert says you are QR Category III, you should choose Roadmap D.
| Pathway | QR Cat I/II | QR Cat III/IV |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 114 | Roadmap A | Roadmap C |
| ENG 104/ENG 105 | Roadmap B | Roadmap D |
*Composition for Multilingual Students: If taking ENG 209 as your first English course, choose the ENG 114 row. If taking ENG 204 for your first English course, choose the ENG 104/ENG 105 row.
Transfer Student Roadmap
For students with an AS-T in Biology. This roadmap opens in a new tab.
This degree program is an approved pathway (“similar” major) for students earning the ADT in Biology
California legislation SB 1440 (2009) mandated the creation of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) to be awarded by the California Community Colleges. Two types of ADTs are awarded: Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T).
Note: no specific degree is required for admission as an upper-division student. However, the ADT includes specific guarantees related to admission and graduation and is designed to clarify the transfer process and strengthen lower-division preparation for the major.
An ADT totals 60 units and in most cases includes completion of all lower-division General Education requirements and at least 18 units in a specific major. (The Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science AS-T degrees defer 3 units in lower-division GE area C and 3 units in lower-division GE area D until after transfer.) Students pursuing an ADT are guaranteed admission to the CSU if minimum eligibility requirements are met, though not necessarily to the CSU campus of primary choice.
Upon verification that the ADT has been awarded prior to matriculation at SF State, students are guaranteed B.A. or B.S. completion in 60 units if pursuing a “similar” major after transfer. Determinations about “similar” majors at SF State are made by faculty in the discipline.
Degree completion in 60 units cannot be guaranteed when a student simultaneously pursues an additional major, a minor, certificate, or credential.
A sample advising roadmap for students who have earned an ADT and continue in a "similar" major at SF State is available on the Roadmaps tab on the degree requirements page for the major. The roadmap displays:
- How many lower-division units required for the major have been completed upon entry based on the award of a specific ADT;
- Which lower-division requirements are considered complete upon entry based on the award of a specific ADT;
- How to complete the remaining 60 units for the degree in four semesters.
Students who have earned an ADT should seek advising in the major department during the first semester of attendance.
General Advising Information for Transfer Students
- Before transfer, complete as many lower-division requirements or electives for this major as possible.
- The following courses are not required for admission but are required for graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to complete these units before transfer; doing so will provide more flexibility in course selection after transfer.
- a course in U.S. History
- a course in U.S. & California Government
For information about satisfying the requirements described in (1) and (2) above at a California Community College (CCC), please visit http://www.assist.org. Check any geographically accessible CCCs; sometimes options include more than one college. Use ASSIST to determine:
- Which courses at a CCC satisfy any lower-division major requirements for this major;
- Which courses at a CCC satisfy CSU GE, US History, and US & CA Government requirements.
Remedial courses are not transferable and do not apply to the minimum 60 semester units/90 quarter units required for admission.
Additional units for courses that are repeated do not apply to the minimum 60 units required for upper-division transfer (for example, if a course was not passed on the first attempt or was taken to earn a better grade).
Before leaving the last California Community College of attendance, obtain a summary of completion of lower-division General Education units (IGETC or CSU GE Breadth). This is often referred to as a GE certification worksheet. SF State does not require delivery of this certification to Admissions, but students should retain this document for verifying degree progress after transfer.
Credit for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College-Level Examination Program courses: AP/IB/CLEP credit is not automatically transferred from the previous institution. Units are transferred only when an official score report is delivered to SF State. Credit is based on the academic year during which exams were taken. Refer to the University Bulletin in effect during the year of AP/IB/CLEP examination(s) for details regarding the award of credit for AP/IB/CLEP.
Students pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines often defer 6-9 units of lower-division General Education in Areas C and D until after transfer to focus on preparation courses for the major. This advice does not apply to students pursuing associate degree completion before transfer.
Transferring From Institutions Other Than CCCs or CSUs
Review SF State's lower-division General Education requirements. Note that, as described below, the four basic skills courses required for admission meet A1, A2, A3, and B4 in the SF State GE pattern. Courses that fulfill the remaining areas of SF State’s lower-division GE pattern are available at most two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Of the four required basic skills courses, a course in critical thinking (A3) may not be widely offered outside the CCC and CSU systems. Students should attempt to identify and take an appropriate course no later than the term of application to the CSU. To review more information about the A3 requirement, please visit bulletin.sfsu.edu/undergraduate-education/general-education/lower-division/#AAEL.
Waiting until after transfer to take a single course at SF State that meets both US and CA/local government requirements may be an appropriate option, particularly if transferring from outside of California.
All Students Must Meet the Transfer Eligibility Requirements Outlined Below for Admission.
For more information, visit the Undergraduate Admissions section.
- Complete 60 or more transferable semester units or 90 or more quarter units.
- Earn a college grade point average of 2.0 or better in all transferable courses. Non-local area residents may be held to a higher GPA standard.
- Be in good standing at the last college or university attended.
- Complete 30-semester units (45-quarter units) of General Education, including four basic skills courses:
- One course in oral communication (same as CSU GE Area A1)
- One course in written composition (same as CSU GE Area A2)
- One course in critical thinking (same as CSU GE Area A3)
- One course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning (same as CSU GE Area B4)
- The four basic skills courses and a minimum of 60 transferable semester units (90-quarter units) must be completed by the spring semester prior to fall admission, or by the fall semester prior to spring admission. Earn a C- or better grade in each basic skills course.