College of Science & Engineering
The Department of Biology at SF State provides an outstanding education for undergraduate and graduate students, preparing the next generation of leaders, contributing to the nation’s future with a science-literate, educated public.
Students experience an integrated approach to biology at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population and ecosystem levels, emphasizing environmental sustainability, equity and social justice. We value and communicate the excitement of discovery through intensive laboratory and field experiences, active learning and immersion in cutting-edge investigation conducted in our own nationally-recognized research laboratories and programs.
We are committed to serving the needs of a diverse student population, a geographic region rich in ecological complexity and a developing workforce at the forefront of fundamental life science, conservation, biotechnology and health.
We offer a BA in General Biology that is appropriate for students who aspire to be teachers or who want a broad Biology degree. This could include students who are considering jobs in the health industry.
The BA is for students wishing to gain a broad exposure to different sub-disciplines in Biology. Future teachers often enroll in the BA as do students in pre-health pathways.
The BS is intended for students who wish to focus more intensely on a specific area of interest. These students are often drawn toward more research oriented pathways. Students who want a more focused degree or who are hoping to do research or continue in graduate school might want to think about one of the concentrations offered in our BS degree program.
Also see these two websites:
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy-to-follow semester-by-semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Biology
Hensill Hall Building, Room 534
Phone: (415) 338-1549
Email: biology@sfsu.edu
Website: https://biology.sfsu.edu/, https://biology.sfsu.edu/undergraduate/general
Chair: Laura Burrus
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations
- Please view the appropriate first-semester course recommendations based on the math course you selected.
- Be sure to read the Advisor Footnotes below.
If you chose to take either MATH 226 Calc I or MATH 124 Stats
|
Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
Class selected from Step 1 of your Freshmen Class Planner |
3 units |
Will vary depending on your class selection: GE Area A2 or GE Area E |
|
MATH 226 Calculus I#1 #2 #3 #5 #7 OR MATH 124 Elementary Statistics #1 #4 #5 #6 |
4 units |
Either MATH 226 or MATH 124 can be used to meet a major requirement. Both classes are GE-Area B4. |
|
Class selected from Step 3 of your Freshmen Class Planner |
3 units |
Will vary depending on your class selection: GE Area A1 or GE Area A3 |
|
CHEM 115 General Chemistry I#7 #8 #9 OR BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I #7 #10 |
5 units |
Both classes are lower division major requirements. *Class option not selected can be taken next semester. |
Advisor Footnotes:
-
#1 For the General Biology major, students can take either MATH 226 OR MATH 124. However, if you did not take pre-calculus or calculus in high school, it is recommended that you take either with MATH 197/198 or MATH 199 or MATH 226 to meet the pre-calculus prerequisite for your future General Physics courses.
-
#2AP Calculus AB (or AB subscore), or BC score of 4 or 5 (but not 3) satisfies MATH 226 requirement (4 units)
-
#3 Prerequisite for MATH 226 is high school pre-calculus with “B” or better, or high school calculus with a grade of “C” or better; or a college-level pre-calculus course with a “C” or better
-
#4 AP Statistics score of 4 or 5 (but not 3) satisfies MATH 124.
-
#5 Take the First-Year Math Advising Exercise before choosing your math course
-
#6 There is a two-unit optional support class, MATH 123, that pairs with MATH 124.
-
#7 1-unit Supplemental Instruction courses (SCI) are offered for these classes as additional support. These courses can be found in the SFSU Class Schedule (https://webapps.sfsu.edu/public/classservices/classsearch) by searching for the "SCI" department prefix.
-
#8 Prerequisites for CHEM 115 are a student needs to have Category/Pathway 1 or Category/Pathway 2 for math. Satisfactory score on the Chemistry readiness assessment. CHEM 100 is recommended for students needing additional preparation for CHEM 115.
-
#9 AP Chemistry score of a 4 or 5 (but not 3) satisfies CHEM 115 requirement.
-
#10 AP Biology score of a 4 or 5 (but not 3) satisfies BIOL 230 requirement.
If any of the class(es) above ends up being FULL by the time you register, consider choosing more General Education courses to build up your schedule. Do not pick General Education Area B courses, as GE Area B requirements will be fulfilled with major classes.
If you chose to take either MATH 199 Pre-Calc I or MATH 197 Prelude to Calc I
|
Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
Class selected from Step 1 of your Freshmen Class Planner |
3 units |
Will vary depending on your class selection: GE Area A2 or GE Area E |
|
MATH 199 Pre-Calculus #1 #3 OR MATH 197 Prelude to Calculus I #1 |
3-4 units |
MATH 199 is GE B4. For the MATH 197 selection, MATH 198 will be taken the following semester and GE B4 will be met with the completion of MATH 198. |
|
CHEM 100 Preparation for Chemistry #2 OR Class selected from Step 3 of your Freshmen Class Planner |
3 units |
Will vary depending on your class selection.
|
|
BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I #3 |
5 units |
Lower division major requirement |
Advisor Footnotes:
-
#1 Take the First-Year Math Advising Exercise before choosing this course
-
#2 Students looking for additional preparation for CHEM 115 General Chemistry I, should take CHEM 100 instead of a GE A1 or GE A3 course.
-
#3 1-unit Supplemental Instruction courses (SCI) are offered for these classes as additional support. These courses can be found in the SFSU Class Schedule (https://webapps.sfsu.edu/public/classservices/classsearch) by searching for the "SCI" department prefix.
If any of the class(es) above ends up being FULL by the time you register, consider choosing more General Education courses to build up your schedule. Do not pick General Education Area B courses, as GE Area B requirements will be fulfilled with major classes.
- Students in Category/Pathway 1 or Category/Pathway 2 for math, who are not planning on taking CHEM 100 for additional chemistry preparation, may take CHEM 115 General Chemistry I, if BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I is not available.
-
If more units are needed, consider General Education courses from the areas suggested in the "GE Area Recommendations" section below. Do not pick General Education Area B courses, as GE Area B requirements will be fulfilled with major classes.
Once you have made your course choices for Steps 1-4, you may already have between 12-15 units chosen for your first semester—about 4 to 5 classes.
If more units are needed, you will proceed to "Step 5 - Choosing GE Courses" from your Orientation Advising Module after considering the following recommendations...
|
GE Area |
Advisor Notes |
|
A1 Oral Communication |
Covered in “Step 3” on Class Planner |
|
A2 Written English Communication |
Covered in “Step 1” on Class Planner |
|
A3 Critical Thinking |
Covered in “Step 3” on Class Planner |
|
B1 Physical Science |
There are major courses for this area |
|
B2 Life Science |
There are major courses for this area |
|
B3 Laboratory Science |
There are major courses for this area |
|
B4 Quantitative Reasoning |
There are major courses for this area |
|
C1 Arts |
Choose any |
|
C2 Humanities |
Choose any |
|
D Social Sciences |
Choose any |
|
D US History |
Choose any |
|
E Lifelong Learning & Self-Development (LLD) |
Covered in “Step 1” on Class Planner |
|
F Ethnic Studies |
Choose any |
|
US/CA Government |
Choose any |
We do have some choices in various degrees. However, the choices for FTF are clear...
BIOL 230 and 240
Transfer students will similarly need BIOL 355 (Genetics) and likely BIOL 337 (Evolution - required of all BS students and an option for BA students).
Yes.
AP exam (score 4 or 5)
Courses:
Biology, Biol 230, 5 units
Calculus AB or BC, Math 226, 4 units
Chemistry, Chem 115, 5 units
Computer Science A, CSC 210, 3 units
Physics AP-C Mechanics, Phys 111 or 220, 3 units (need to take lab)
- Health and veterinary careers
- Biotech
- Environmental conservation and restoration
- Education (teachers)
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.