Biology: Marine Science and Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Sciences SF Scholars Roadmap

The San Francisco State Scholars program provides undergraduate students with an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree. Students in this program pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. This program allows students to earn graduate credit while in their junior and/or senior year, reducing the number of semesters required for completion of a master’s degree.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterUnits
CHEM 115 General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (Major Lower-Division Core) 5
ENG 114 Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice (A2) 1 3
MATH 226 Calculus I (Major Lower-Division Core, B4) 2 4
GE Area A 3 3
 Units15
Spring Semester
BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I (Major Lower-Division Core) 5
BIOL 231 Advising for Success as a Biology Major (Major Lower-Division Core) 1
CHEM 130 General Organic Chemistry (Major Lower-Division Core) 3
GE Area A 3
GE Area E 3
 Units15
Second Year
Summer Semester
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units6
Fall Semester
BIOL 240 Introductory Biology II (Major Lower-Division Core) 4 5
Select One (Major Lower-Division Core): 5 4-5
General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts
and General Chemistry II Laboratory: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts
 
Calculus II  
Select One (Major Lower-Division Core): 5 4
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory (B1, B3)
 
General Physics with Calculus I
and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (B1, B3)
 
GE Area C 3
 Units16-17
Spring Semester
Select One Set of Courses Not already Taken (Major Lower-Division Core): 4-5
General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts
and General Chemistry II Laboratory: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (Prerequisites for BIOL 580)
 
Calculus II  
General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory 6
 
General Physics with Calculus II
and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory 6
 
GE Area C 3
GE Area D - Take Two 6
 Units13-14
Third Year
Summer Semester
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units6
Fall Semester
BIOL 355 Genetics (Major Upper-Division Core) 7 3
BIOL 458 Biometry (Major Upper-Division Core) 4
GE Area C 3
GE Area F ± 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
 Units16
Spring Semester
BIOL 337 Evolution (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Oceanography Elective - Select One 8 3-4
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
U.S. and California Government 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units15-16
Fourth Year
Summer Semester
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units6
Fall Semester
BIOL 708 Scientific Methods for Professional Aquatic Scientists (Graduate Core) 3
MSCI 709 Foundations in Interdisciplinary Marine & Estuarine Science (Graduate Core) 4
GWAR Option - Select One 9 3-4
Major Upper-Division Electives (6-7 units) - Take One 10 3-4
 Units13-15
Spring Semester
MSCI 715 Writing for Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Scientists (Graduate Core) 3
Major Upper-Division Electives (6-7 units) - Take One 10 3-4
Graduate Electives (4-6 units) 11 4-6
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units13-16
Fifth Year
Fall Semester
MSCI 717 Professional Skills Workshop I: Data Analysis and Visualization (Graduate Core) 2
MSCI 718 Writing and Professional Skills Workshop II (Graduate Core) 2
MSCI 788 Professional Internship in Marine and Estuarine Sciences (Graduate Core) 3
MSCI 885 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Science (Graduate Core) 2
 Units9
Spring Semester
MSCI 885 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Science (Gradaute Core) 2
MSCI 897 Research (Graduate Core) 4
Select One (Culminating Experience): 3-4
Field Study or Applied Research Project  
Master's Thesis  
 Units9-10
 Total Units152-161