Dec 14, 2025  
2025-26 Academic Catalog 
    
2025-26 Academic Catalog

Roadmap: B.A. in Biological Sciences



This roadmap is a recommended sequence of courses. Please consult your STAN Degree Progress and academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

First Year

Fall Semester
Requirement Met
Course                                     
Units
Notes
Major Prerequisite
BIOL 1050   
4  
 
GE 1A 
English Composition 
3
Students who take ENGL 1006 will complete GE 1A with ENGL 1007 
GE 1C 
Oral Communications 
3
 
GE 2 
MATH 1070   
3  
 
Student Success Skills
Student Success Skills Course 
1
 
Units to 120
General Elective
2
 
 
Semester Units
16
 
 
Cumulative Total
16
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Prerequisite
GE 5B/5C 
BIOL 1150   
4  
 
Major Prerequisite
GE 5A
CHEM 1100   
4  
 
Major Prerequisite 
GE 5C 
CHEM 1102   
1  
 
Units to 120 
General Elective 
3
Recommended: MATH 1080
Life-Long Learning Skills
Life-Long Learning Skills Course
1
 
Units to 120
General Elective
2
 
 
Semester Units
15
 
 
Cumulative Total
31
 

Second Year

Fall Semester 
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Units to 120
CHEM 1110   
4  
Cognate to major
Units to 120
CHEM 1112   
1  
Cognate to major
GE 1B 
Critical Thinking Course 
3
 
GE 4A
HIST 2600   
3  
 
GE 4B
Social & Behavioral Sciences
3
 
 
Semester Units
14
 
 
Cumulative Total
45
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Units to 120 
Choose one
4
Cognate to major. Please see course descriptions for course pre-requisite information
Major Requirement  
BIOL 3350   
3  
 
GE 3A
Arts
3
 
 Units to 120 
Choose one:
4
 
 
Semester Units
14
 
 
Cumulative Total 
59
 

Third Year

Fall Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Requirement 
BIOL 3310    
3  
 
Major Requirement 
BIOL 3680    
4  
 
GE 3B
Humanities
3
 
GE 6
Ethnic Studies
3
 
US/CA/Local Gov
PSCI 1201   
3  
 
 
Semester Units
16
 
 
Cumulative Total
75
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Requirement  
BIOL 4400    
3  
 
Major Requirement  
Diversity & Systematics Course 
4
 
Major Requirement  
Upper-Division Major Elective  
3
 
GE UD 3
Upper-Division Arts & Humanities
3
 
GE UD 4
Upper-Division Social & Behavioral Sciences
3
 
 
Semester Units
16
 
 
Cumulative Total
91
 

Fourth Year

*Apply for Graduation*

Fall Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Writing Proficiency 
Writing Proficiency Course 
3
Students are encouraged to consult with their BIOL advisor on availability of BIOL WP courses 
Major Requirement  
Upper-division Major Elective  
4
 
Major Requirement  
Diversity & Systematics Course  
4
 
GE UD 2 or 5 
Choose one: 
  • Upper Division Physical & Biological Science Course 
  • Upper Division Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning Course 
3
 
 
Semester Units
14
 
 
Cumulative Total
105
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Requirement  
Structure & Function Course 
4
 
Major Requirement  
Genetics & Biotechnology Course 
2
 
Major Requirement  
Upper-division Major Elective  
3
 
Units to 120 
General Elective  
3
Select a course that meets the Sociocultural Inquiry requirement, if still needed 
Units to 120 
General Elective  
3
 
 
Semester Units
15
 
 
Cumulative Total
120
To qualify for graduation, students must complete a minimum of 120 units overall.