Bachelor of Arts in General Biology Roadmap
120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 58
This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 231 | Advising for Success as a Biology Major (Major Lower-Division Core) | 1 |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I (Major Lower-Division Core) | 4 |
| ENG 114 | Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice (A2) 1 | 3 |
| Select One (Major Lower-Division Core, B4): 2 | 4 | |
| Pre-Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| GE Area A 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOL 230 | Introductory Biology I (Major Lower-Division Core) | 5 |
| PHYS 111 & PHYS 112 |
General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Core, B1, B3) |
4 |
| Select One: | 3 | |
| General Chemistry II (hidden prereq for CHEM 233) | ||
| GE Area E | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| BIOL 240 | Introductory Biology II (Major Lower-Division Core) 5 | 5 |
| Select One (Lower-Division Core): | 3 | |
| General Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| GE Area A | 3 | |
| GE Area C | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 2 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| BIOL 355 | Genetics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| GE Area C - Take Two | 6 | |
| GE Area D - Take Two | 6 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| BIOL 337 | Evolution (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Physiology or Cell Biology | 3-4 | |
| Physiology or Cell Biology Laboratory | 1-4 | |
| GE Area F ± | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 13-17 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| Ecology, Evolution, or Organismal Biology - Take Two | 6-9 | |
| GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective (if needed) | 0-3 | |
| Units | 15-18 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| Upper-Division Electives | 4 | |
| GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Three 4 | 9 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| Upper-Division Electives - Take as needed | 3-12 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective - Take as needed 4 | 3-12 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120-127 | |
- 1
ENG 114 can only be taken if you complete Directed Self-Placement (DSP) and select ENG 114; if you choose ENG 104/ENG 105 through DSP you will satisfy A2 upon successful completion of ENG 105 in the second semester; multilingual students may be advised into alternative English courses.
- 2
To determine the best B4 course option, students should complete the online advising activity at mathadvising.sfsu.edu. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 3
To avoid taking additional units, it is recommended that you meet the SF State Studies (AERM, GP, ES, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.
- 4
Complementary Studies
Students in the B.A. Biology program will satisfy the Complementary Studies Requirement with the completion of courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics that are required for the major.
- 5
GE Area B2 (Life Science) is satisfied upon completion of BIOL 240.
- *
Students must complete at least one GWAR course in order to graduate.
- ±
Given catalog rights, fall 2023 transfer students do not need to complete an Area F course.