Marine & Conservation Biology, BS, Four-Year Plan

Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Science in Marine and Conservation Biology

Sample Plan for New Students

This sample plan is not the only way to complete this degree. The number of credits is in parentheses. *Some classes have prerequisites. 

Important Major Information

  • Minimum Credits to Graduate: 180
  • Credits in Major: 112
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
  • Students must earn C in prerequisite biology courses and C- in other prerequisite science courses
  • At least 25 credits of BIOL 3000- or 4000-level courses are required
  • For MCON Study Abroad options, including Blakely Island Field Station, see the Biology website, or visit or email the Biology Department
  • Questions? Visit Sinegal (SINE) 401 or email biology@seattleu.edu 
  • Please see my.seattleu.edu for elective options

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 *BIOL 1620 – Evolution & Ecology + BIOL 1621 – *Lab (4+1) *BIOL 1610 – Molecular & Cellular Biology + *BIOL 1611 – Lab (4+1) *BIOL 1630 – Physiology & Development + BIOL 1631 – Lab (4+1)
Course 2 *CHEM 1500 – General Chemistry I + CHEM 1501 – Lab (4+1) *CHEM 1510 – General Chemistry II + CHEM 1511 – Lab (4+2) *CHEM 1520 – General Chemistry III (4) OR *CHEM 1590 – Research Focused General Chemistry III (5)
Course 3 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)
Course 4 BIOL 1400 – 1st Yr Experience (1)    

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Explore your major and draft an education plan in MySeattleU.
  • Meet with your advisor quarterly for discussion & educational plan approval
  • Get involved in campus activities.
  • Talk to biology faculty mentors. 

Year 2

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 BIOL Elective* (5) *BIOL 2700 – Genetics (5) *BIOL 2600 – Ecology (5)
Course 2 *MATH 1210 – Statistics for Life Sciences (5) *BIOL 3500 – Evolution (5) *MATH 1230 - Calculus for Life Sciences (5)
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 & consult with your advisor.
  • Be involved in campus and local activities and attend seminars and career events.
  • Consider how you can study abroad.

Year 3

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 *BIOL Elective (5) *Natural Sciences Elective (5) *BIOL 3650 – Marine Biology (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 2XXX – University Core (5)

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Revise your 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

Year 4

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 *BIOL 4991 – Senior Synthesis I (2-4) *BIOL 4992 – Senior Synthesis II (2-4) *BIOL 4993 – Senior Synthesis III (1)
Course 2 *Natural Sciences Elective (5) *BIOL Elective (5) *BIOL 4996 – Biology Senior Synthesis Seminar (1)
Course 3 *Social Sciences/Humanities Elective (5) General Electives (9) General Electives (9)
Course 4 *UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5)    

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Finalize 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 (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: 

  • 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 & Global Challenges

Curriculum Notes

  • Plan assumes placement in MATH 1230/1334 by ALEKS exam or college credit, and if MATH 1028 (Trig, 2 credits) has not been fulfilled, it must be a MATH 1230/1334 corequisite
  • BIOL electives must include the following, including one plant* course:
    • Choose one: BIOL 2350, 2360, 2520,* 2530*
    • Choose one: BIOL 4620, 4630, 4640, 4650, 4660
    • Choose one: BIOL 3250, 3300, 3800, 3820, 3850,* 3880, 3890
  • Social Sciences/Humanities (choose one): EVST 3500, HIST 3510, PLSC 3000
  • Natural Science (choose one): BIOL ≥2350, CHEM ≥2100, ENSC ≥3000, PHYS ≥2000
  • 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.

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