First-Time First Year (FTFY)
A First-Time First Year applicant is any student applying directly from secondary school (high school) who has earned no college or university credit.
FTFY Applying with academic course work from outside the U.S. should:
Complete a high/secondary school curriculum which totals 12 years of primary-secondary education, and earn a graduation diploma or certificate
Complete high school curriculum with above satisfactory grades or marks which equals a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on the 4.0 grading scale
Submit official high school transcript (academic record), showing all courses with grades or marks, and graduation diploma or certificate. Official transcript must be in the original language of issue. Submit certified English translations for non-English documents
English requirements
Submit official verification of English proficiency except where English is the applicant's native language and has attended for at least three years’ full time at an institution where English was the principal language of instruction
TOEFL score report with at least a minimum of 61 iBT. or
IELTS score report with at least a minimum of 6.0
Completion of GE Area A2 (Written Communication) with a grade of C- or better
Successful completion of Advanced Level - Sonoma State American Language Institute /Conditional Admission available
Successful completion of English Intensive Program - English Language School (ELS) Level 112 Certificate
Successful completion of Level 6 - UCLA Extension American Language Center
Successful completion of Level 5 - USC International Academy
The California State University (CSU) has temporarily suspended the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2021-2022 academic year. This temporary change of admission eligibility applies only for the Fall 2021, Winter 2022 and Spring 2022 admission cycles.
The "a-g" score is a calculation now based upon your High School Grade Point Average and your Multi Factor score.
The High School Grade Point Average is based on courses taken during 10th through 12th grades which are "college preparatory." Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in 11th and 12th grades with grades of C or higher are awarded an extra grade point.
If you are a Non resident applying to a non-impacted major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you meet the eligibility requirements for Admissions.
If you are a Non Resident applying to an impacted major that requires minimum Multi Factor Score, your application will be subject to Multi Factor score. (If you do not meet impacted major criteria, you will be considered for an alternate major).
If you are a Non Resident and Graduate of a non-California High School with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.99, you will be ranked by using the score as indicated on the Multi Factor scoring chart.
The biology curriculum, supported by physical sciences and mathematics, is designed to provide students with a strong background in the principles of biology and their application to current research questions and biological resource management challenges.
The Department of Biology offers a dynamic learning environment, exciting research and training opportunities, and intensive mentoring of students at all levels. Our distinguished faculty members are dedicated educators and active scholars who engage in primary research to address diverse topics in the biological sciences. The overall mission of our undergraduate and graduate programs is to educate the next generation of scholars, professionals, and citizens so that they are prepared to meet the biological, environmental, and technological challenges of the future.
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Major Core Requirements
BIOL 130 - Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Unit(s): 4
BIOL 131 - Biological Diversity and Ecology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 320 - Ecology and Evolution - An Integrated Approach Unit(s): 4
BIOL 321 - Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology Unit(s): 4
One organismal / diversity course from the following list
(check Concentration for preferred Course Selection)
BIOL 322 - Invertebrate Biology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 323 - Entomology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 327 - Vertebrate Biology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 329 - Plant Biology Unit(s): 4
BIOL 340 - General Bacteriology Unit(s): 4
Major Electives
Choose 20 units of upper division biology electives in cosultation with a department advisor.
Support courses
CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 335A - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
PHYS 210A - General Physics Unit(s): 3 AND
PHYS 209A - General Physics Laboratory Unit(s): 1 OR
GEOL 102 - Our Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Geology Unit(s): 3
MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4 OR
MATH 165 - Elementary Applied Statistics Unit(s): 4
Units
Total units in the major core: 20
Total units in major elective: 20
Total units in support courses: 20-21
Concentration
Zoology Concentration
Sample Four-Year Program
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology
Freshman Year: 31 Units
Fall Semester (15 Units)
BIOL 130 - Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Unit(s): 4
CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
A2: Written Communication Credits / Units: 3
A1: Oral Communication Credits / Units: 3
Spring Semester (16 Units)
BIOL 131 - Biological Diversity and Ecology Unit(s): 4
CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4 OR
MATH 165 - Elementary Applied Statistics Unit(s): 4
A3: Critical Thinking Credits / Units: 3
Sophomore Year: 31 Units
Fall Semester (16 Units)
BIOL 320 - Ecology and Evolution - An Integrated Approach Unit(s): 4
CHEM 335A - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
GE Credits / Units: 6
General Electives Credits / Units: 3
Spring Semester (15 Units)
BIOL 321 - Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology Unit(s): 4
PHYS 210A - General Physics Unit(s): 3
AND
PHYS 209A - General Physics Laboratory Unit(s): 1 OR
GEOL 102 - Our Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Geology Unit(s): 3
GE Credits / Units: 3
General Electives Credits / Units: 4
Junior Year: 28 Units
Fall Semester (13 Units)
BIOL Diversity course 4 units
BIOL UD Electives 3 units
GE 6 units
Spring Semester (15 Units)
BIOL UD Electives 5 units
GE 6 units
Electives 4 units
Senior Year: 30 Units
Fall Semester (15 Units)
BIOL Elective 4 units
GE 3 units
Electives 8 units
Spring Semester (15 Units)
BIOL Electives 8 units
GE 3 units
Electives 4 units
Total Units: 120
