Biology is the study of life, its origins, diversity and intricacies. It emphasizes the relationship between structure and function in living systems and the processes by which organisms grow, reproduce and interact with each other and their environment. The Biology Program provides students with a strong theoretical foundation in biology, combined with extensive hands-on laboratory experiences using state-of-the-art technology. Students takes a series of core courses augmented by electives selected from areas of special interest.

Visit the program website: https://biology.csuci.edu/index.htm
Review the Biology, B.A. Major Requirements

Four Year Academic Roadmap

Print Four Year Roadmap

  • Fall Freshman

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    BIOL200Principles of Organismal and Population Biology4Major & GEB2/B3

    BIOL or

    Math

    203 or

    105 or

    150

    BIOL 203: Statistics for Biologists, or
    MATH 105: Pre-Calculus, or
    MATH 150: Calculus

    4If taking MATH 105, please check Math Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.Major & GEB4
    CHEM121General Chemistry I4Major & GEB1/B3
    GEStudent's ChoiceA2 - Written Communication3Please check English Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.GEA2

    Total Units

    #

    Milestones

    • Schedule an appointment with a Peer Advisor or Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising Center
    • Attend Major Fair (First Week of October)

    Spring Freshman

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    BIOL201Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology4Major & GEB2/B3
    CHEM122General Chemistry II4Major
    GEStudent's ChoiceA1 - Oral Communication3GEA1
    GEStudent's ChoiceA3 - Critical Thinking3Highly Recommended: BIOL 150GEA3
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary1Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • Complete Golden 4 GE (A1, A2, A3, and B4)
    • Attend Summer Scheduling workshop
    • Attend Study Abroad information session (if interested)
  • Fall Sophomore

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    BIOL300Cell Biology4Major & GWAR
    GEStudent's ChoiceC1 - Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater3GEC1
    GEStudent's ChoiceF - Ethnic Studies3Also fulfills Multicultural Perspectives RequirementGE & GraduationF/Multicultural Perspectives
    GE/LanguageStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Units may vary between 3-4 units depending on language chosen. Also, double-counts with GE:C2.GE & GraduationC2/Language
    GEStudent's ChoiceD - Social Sciences3Course must be a different subject than Political ScienceGED

    Total Units

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    Milestones

      Spring Sophomore

      Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
      BIOL302Genetics4Major
      GEStudent's ChoiceEither C1 or C23GEAdditional C
      GEStudent's ChoiceE - Lifelong Learning and Self-Development3GEE
      HISTStudent's ChoiceUS History3Choose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275. CHS 350 is an option, however, will need to be taken in semester 5 or laterGraduationAIR: US History
      Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary1Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement

      Total Units

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      Milestones

      • Fall Junior

        Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
        BIOL303Evolutionary Biology3Major
        Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary4With Lab (at least 2 courses must include lab). 20 units of Major Electives are required.
        See catalog for list of course titles and descriptions.
        Major
        POLS150American Political Institutions3Double-counts as GE:D and American Institutions RequirementsGE & GraduationD/AIR: CA Local & State Govt
        Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement
        Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement

        Total Units

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        Milestones

        • Meet w/Graduate Studies Center to discuss graduate school programs
        • Meet w/Career Development & Alumni Engagement to discuss internship/job opportunities
        • Meet with your program faculty advisor at least once in your Junior year (either in the Fall or Spring semester)

        Spring Junior

        Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
        BIOL433Ecology and the Environment4Major & GEUDGE B
        Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Without Lab (at least 2 courses must include lab). 20 units of Major Electives are required.
        See catalog for list of course titles and descriptions.
        Major
        UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE D - Social Sciences3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsGEUDGE D
        Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement
        Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary1Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement

        Total Units

        #

        Milestones

        • Fall Senior

          Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
          Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary4With Lab (at least 2 courses must include lab). 20 units of Major Electives are required.
          See catalog for list of course titles and descriptions.
          Major
          Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Without Lab (at least 2 courses must include lab). 20 units of Major Electives are required.
          See catalog for list of course titles and descriptions.
          Major
          UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE C - Arts and Humanities3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsGEUDGE C
          Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement
          Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement

          Total Units

          #

          Milestones

          • Apply for Graduation (Priority deadline – October 1st)
          • Attend Grad Check workshop or schedule a Grad Check appointment with Academic Advising
          • Meet w/Career Development & Alumni Engagement to learn more about Alumni services
          • Meet with your program faculty advisor at least once before you graduate (either in the Fall or Spring semester)

          Spring Senior

          Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
          Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Without Lab (at least 2 courses must include lab). 20 units of Major Electives are required.
          See catalog for course titles & descriptions
          Major
          Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Without Lab (at least 2 courses must include lab). 20 units of Major Electives are required.
          See catalog for course titles & descriptions
          Major
          Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement
          Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement
          Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective2Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.GraduationUnit Requirement

          Total Units

          #

          Milestones

          • Attend Grad Fest in March
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