Program Description

A BS in Biology provides a broader and more in depth preparation than the BA program for students pursuing a wide variety of professional careers in biology including post-graduate training.

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 (BS)

101 Credits Minimum, Including 33 Upper Division (UD)

¹

May be met in other sections.

²

Any UD BIO courses not already used in major may count.

Additional Requirements and Information

• Must include 5 credits with substantial lab/field component
• 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 careers in the health sciences should take PPHS 1200 Introduction to the Health Professions and PPHS 3400 Application Workshop. See the Pre-Professional Health Sciences program website for more information.

Four-Year Plan: >35 on Chemistry Placement Test

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

May take CHM 3225 Quantitative Analysis and Equilibrium or BIO 4360 Biostatistics instead of CHM 1213 General Chemistry III/CHM 2213 Inorganic Qualitative Analysis - consult with your faculty advisor for the best option.

³

Take Calculus Placement Test in Canvas first. MAT 1235 Calculus II may be required by some graduate programs.

⁴

Students have the option of conducting research (BIO 4978 Biological Research Proposal and BIO 4979 Biological Research) or taking BIO 4615 Bioethics to complete their Capstone Experience.

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

• MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences is a pre-requisite for BIO 3325 Genetics and BIO 4360 Biostatistics.

Junior Notes

• BIO 3325 Genetics is offered both Autumn and Winter. It is a pre-requisite for BIO 4330 Evolutionary Mechanisms (Winter only) and BIO 4352 Cell Biology (Spring only).
• Check the time schedule, as most upper division courses are offered only in certain quarters.
• Physics 110x or 112x series is recommended for most graduate programs.

Four-Year Plan: <35 on Chemistry Placement Test

¹

May take CHM 3225 Quantitative Analysis and Equilibrium or BIO 4360 Biostatistics instead of CHM 1213 General Chemistry III/CHM 2213 Inorganic Qualitative Analysis - consult with your faculty advisor for best option.

²

Take Calculus Placement Test in Canvas first. MAT 1235 Calculus II may be required by some graduate programs.

³

Students have the option of conducting research (BIO 4978 Biological Research Proposal and BIO 4979 Biological Research) or taking BIO 4615 Bioethics to complete their Capstone Experience.

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

• MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences is a pre-requisite for BIO 3325 Genetics and BIO 4360 Biostatistics.
• Physics (either 110x or 112x series) is recommended for most graduate programs.

Junior Notes

• BIO 3325 Genetics is offered both Autumn and Winter. It is a pre-requisite for BIO 4330 Evolutionary Mechanisms (Winter only) and BIO 4352 Cell Biology (Spring only).
• Check the time schedule, as most upper division courses are offered only in certain quarters.