BIOL, BA, Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Sample Plan for New Students
This is a sample and not the only way to complete this plan. Number of credits are in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites.
- Plan assumes placement in MATH 1230/1334 by ALEKS exam or college credit, & if MATH 1028 (Trig) has not been fulfilled, it must be a MATH 1230/1334 corequisite.
Important Major Information
- Minimum Total Credits: 180
- Credits in Major: 92
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
Four-Year Plan For New Students
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 1620 – Evolution & Ecology + BIOL 1621 – Lab (4+1) | BIOL 1610 – Molecular & Cellular + BIOL 1611 – Lab (4+1) | BIOL 1630 – Physiology & Development + BIOL 1631 – Lab (4+1) |
| Course 2 | BIOL 1400 – 1st Yr Experience (1) | ||
| Course 3 | CHEM 1500 – General Chem I + CHEM 1501 – Lab (4+1) | CHEM 1510 – General Chem I + CHEM 1511 – Lab (4+2) | CHEM 1520 – General Chem III (4) OR CHEM 1590 – Research-Based III (5) |
| Course 4 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Explore your major and draft an educational plan in MySeattleU.
- Talk to biology faculty mentors.
- Meet with your advisor quarterly for discussion & educational plan approval
- Meet peers, learn about campus activities, and get involved.
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL Elective (5) | BIOL 2700 Genetics (5) | BIOL Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | †Choose MATH 1210, MATH 1230, OR MATH1334 | Science Elective (5) | Science Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
†Choose MATH 1210 – Statistics for Life Sciences (5), MATH 1230 – Calculus for Life Sciences, OR MATH 1334 – Calculus I (5)
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Revise educational plan & consult quarterly with your advisor
- Be involved in campus and local activities.
- Attend career events.
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL Elective (5) | BIOL Elective (5) | BIOL Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS Nat/Phys Science (5) |
CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS Nat/Phys Science (5) |
General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Revise educational plan & consult quarterly with your advisor.
- Participate in local activities and organizations.
- Investigate career options, attend career events, and think about post-SU educational programs or internships.
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 4991 – Senior Synthesis I (2) | BIOL 4992 – Senior Synthesis II (2) | BIOL 4993 – Senior Synthesis III (1) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | General Electives (15) | BIOL 4996 – Senior Synthesis Seminar (1) |
| Course 3 | General Electives (10) | General Elective (8) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Finalize plan for graduation & review with your advisor.
- Apply for graduation on mySeattleU.
- Attend career events and consult with a Career Coach or consider school options.
- Apply for jobs, internships, or graduate or professional programs
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
Module II:
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
- UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning
Module III:
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
- UCOR 3600 Social Sciences & Global Challenges
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges
Curriculum Notes
- Students must earn C in prerequisite biology courses and C- in other prerequisite science courses.
- Natural/Physical Science courses (CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS) may include:
CHEM ≥2100, CPSC ≥1220, ENSC ≥3000, MATH ≥1210, PHYS ≥1050/51. - A science elective course must be a major’s level course and may be a biology course.
- At least 15 credits of the BIOL elective credits must be 3000- or 4000- level courses.
- BIOL electives must include the following:
- Choose one: BIOL 2200, 2210, 3250, 3300, 3850, 3880, or 3890
- Choose one: BIOL 2350, 2520, 2530, 2600, 3500, 3650, 3660, 3800, 4620/30/40
- Choose one: BIOL 2220, 3100, 3150, 3820, 4100, 4150, 4700, or 4750+4751.
- Discuss your academic and future plans with your Biology Faculty Mentor for discipline-specific guidance and suggestions.
- If you have questions email biology@seattleu.edu
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CSE Advising at se-adv@seattleu.edu.