Biology (BA)
Program Description
The BA in Biology provides a broad foundation in biology and is especially appropriate for students planning to teach at the elementary or secondary level.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Biology (BA)
78 Credits Minimum, Including 28 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Core Requirements | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| BIO 4330 | Evolutionary Mechanisms | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Medical Virology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Principles of Development | ||
| Biodiversity: Parasites and Pests | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 43 | |
| Required Supporting Courses | ||
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Select one of the following Groups: | 5-10 | |
| Group A: | ||
| Survey of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Group B: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 20-25 | |
| Botany Requirement 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Section Credits Required | 0 | |
| Electives | ||
| Biology Courses | 15 | |
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 78-83 | |
- 1
May be met in other sections.
Additional Requirements and Information
- Max 6 credits from BIO 4900-4999 may be applied to major.
Suggested Course Sequence
This suggested course sequence is a potential plan for how to complete the major within four years. Please consult with a departmental faculty advisor for course advisement.
- Students should take the Chemistry Placement test (available in Canvas) prior to New Student Advising.
- A Chemistry Placement score >35 is a pre-requisite for BIO 2101 General Biology and CHM 1211 General Chemistry I.
- Students who score <35 on the Chemistry Placement test, or who would benefit from an introduction to Chemistry, should take CHM 1000 Preparation for General Chemistry in Autumn quarter, then take BIO 2101 General Biology and CHM 1211 General Chemistry I in Winter quarter.
- Students interested in earning a secondary teaching certificate should contact the Certification Officer in SPU's School of Education prior to their junior year to learn more about the process.
Four-Year Plan: >35 on Chemistry Placement Test
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology 1 | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry 2 | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3453 | Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy 3 | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Select 5 credits of Ecology from the following: | 5 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn or Winter | ||
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| Select 5 credits of Physiology core from the following: | 5 | |
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Medical Virology | ||
| Select 5 credits of taxonomy/diversity from the following: | 5 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Principles of Development | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4330 | Evolutionary Mechanisms | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 84 | |
- 1
Students who test at Math Placement Level B and who either score >45 on the Chemistry Placement Test or transfer in the complete General Chemistry sequence may take BIO 2103 General Biology in Autumn 2024.
- 2
CHM 3371 Organic Chemistry I and CHM 3372 Organic Chemistry II (10 cr) may replace CHM 1330 Survey of Organic Chemistry.
- 3
BIO 4415 Plant Physiology or BIO 4744 Marine Botany can be used to meet the Botany requirement instead. The Botany requirement can also count toward another category in the major.
Freshman Notes
- Take Math Placement Test (in Canvas) if you are at Math Level 0 or A at time of admission.
- Math Level B is a prerequisite for BIO 2102 General Biology, BIO 2103 General Biology, CHM 1212 General Chemistry II and MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences.
- Students who test into Level 0 or A should plan to take MAT 0144 College Readiness Math I and/or MAT 0145 College Readiness Math II to achieve Math Level B.
Sophomore Notes
Junior Notes
- BIO 3325 Genetics is offered both Autumn and Winter. It is a pre-requisite for BIO 4330 Evolutionary Mechanisms, which is only offered in Winter.
- Check the time schedule, as most upper division courses are offered only in certain quarters.
- Ensure that you will have sufficient upper-division credits to meet the 60 minimum required for graduation.
Senior Notes
- Ensure that you have ≥8 credits of "W" courses (can by any course, not just in major).
Four-Year Plan: <35 on Chemistry Placement Test
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| CHM 1000 | Preparation for General Chemistry | 2 |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 1330 | Survey of Organic Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3453 | Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy 2 | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Select 5 credits of Ecology from the following: | 5 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Ecology | ||
| Forest Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn or Winter | ||
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| Select 5 credits of taxonomy/diversity from the following: | 5 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Biodiversity: Plant Identification and Taxonomy | ||
| Principles of Development | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Select 5 credits of Physiology from the following: | 5 | |
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Medical Virology | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4330 | Evolutionary Mechanisms | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 86 | |
- 1
CHM 3371 Organic Chemistry I and CHM 3372 Organic Chemistry II (10 cr) may replace CHM 1330 Survey of Organic Chemistry.
- 2
BIO 4415 Plant Physiology or BIO 4744 Marine Botany can be used to meet the Botany requirement instead. The Botany requirement can also count toward another category in the major.
Freshman Notes
- Take Math Placement Test (in Canvas) if you are at Math Level 0 or A at time of admission.
- Math Level B is a prerequisite for BIO 2102 General Biology, BIO 2103 General Biology, CHM 1212 General Chemistry II and MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences.
- Students who test into Level 0 or A should plan to take MAT 0144 College Readiness Math I and/or MAT 0145 College Readiness Math II to achieve Math Level B.
- BIO 2102 General Biology and BIO 2103 General Biology can be taken in either order.
Sophomore Notes
Junior Notes
- BIO 3325 Genetics is offered both Autumn and Winter. It is a pre-requisite for BIO 4330 Evolutionary Mechanisms, which is only offered in Winter.
- Check the time schedule, as most upper division courses are offered only in certain quarters.
- Ensure that you will have sufficient upper-division credits to meet the 60 minimum required for graduation.
Senior Notes
Ensure that you have ≥8 credits of "W" courses (can by any course, not just in major).