Biology, BS, Four-Year Plan

Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Science 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. 

Important Major Information

  • Minimum Credits to Graduate: 180
  • Credits in Major: 114
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
  • Students must earn C in prerequisite biology courses and C- in other prerequisite science and math courses
  • At least 25 credits of 3000- or 4000-level BIOL courses are required
  • Additional questions? – visit Sinegal (SINE) 401 or email biology@seattleu.edu 

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 *BIOL 1620 – Evolution and 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 OR *CHEM 1590 – Research-Based III (4 or 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.
  • Meet with your advisor quarterly for discussion & educational plan approval.
  • Meet biology faculty mentors and peers, and get involved in campus activities.

Year 2

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 BIOL Elective (5) *BIOL 2700 – Genetics (5) *BIOL 2600 – Ecology (5)
Course 2 *MATH 1230 – Calculus for Life Sciences AND MATH 1028 – Trigonometry [if needed] (3+2) CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/Math (5-6) CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/Math (5-6)
Course 3 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) *UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) *UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5)

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Revise your educational plan and consult your advisor quarterly.
  • Be active in campus and local activities, and attend seminars and career events.
  • Consider how you could study abroad.

Year 3

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 *MATH 1210 – Statistics for Life Sciences (5) BIOL Elective (5) BIOL Elective (5)
Course 2 *PHYS 1050 – Mechanics + *PHYS 1051 – Lab (4+1) *PHYS 1060 – Waves, Sound, Electricity, & Magnetism + *PHYS 1061 – Lab (4+1) *PHYS 1070 – Thermodynamics, Optics, & Modern Physics* + *PHYS 1071+ Lab (4+1)
Course 3 *UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) *UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) *UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5)

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Revise your educational plan and consult your advisor quarterly.
  • Participate in local activities and organizations.
  • Investigate career options, attend career events, and think about internships or post-SU educational programs.

Course 1FallWinterSpring

Year 4

Course 1 *BIOL 4991 – Senior Synthesis I (2-4) *BIOL 4992 – Senior Synthesis II (2-4) *BIOL 4993 – Senior Synthesis III (1)
Course 2 *BIOL Elective (5) *BIOL Elective (5) *BIOL 4966 – Senior Synthesis Seminar
Course 3 *UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) General Electives (8) *BIOL Elective (5)
Course 4 General Elective (5)   General Electives (5)

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Finalize your plan for graduation and review it with your advisor and faculty mentor.
  • Apply for graduation on MySeattleU.
  • Attend career events, consult with a career coach, and consider graduate or professional school options.
  • Apply for jobs, internships, or graduate/professional programs.

University Core Requirements

UCOR classes (SU's general education courses) are listed in the sample plan by what module is recommended. Some courses (*) have been fulfilled by your Associate Degree coursework and requirements in your major. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and http://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 Reasoning
  • 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: 

  • Satisfied in Major: UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context   
  • UCOR 3400 Humanities & Global Challenges OR
  • UCOR 3600 Social Sciences & Global Challenges 
  • Satisfied in Major: UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences & Global Challenges

Curriculum Notes

  • 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
  • Natural/Physical Science courses (CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH) may include: CHEM ≥2100, CPSC ≥1220, ENSC 3500 or 3700, MATH ≥1210
  • BIOL electives (BIOL≥2210) must include the following and one plant course:
    • Choose one: BIOL 2750+2751 Biotechnology + Lab, 3150 Virology, 4700 Molecular Genetics, or 4750+4751 Cell Biology + Lab
    • Choose one: BIOL 2350 Invertebrate Zoology & Biodiversity Science, 2520 Plant Systematics, 3500 Evolution, or 3650 Marine Biology
    • Choose one: BIOL 3250 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, 3300 Developmental Biology, 3850 Plant Physiology, or 3880 Animal Physiology 
  • Discuss your academic and future plans with your Biology Faculty Mentor for discipline-specific guidance and suggestions
  • 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 in BANN 323 (Science Wing), M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30p.m or email Science & Engineering Advising at se-adv@seattleu.edu.

Here to Help