Biology, BA, Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Sample Plan for New Students
The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests.
- Semester Degree Plan (for students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond)
- Quarter Degree Plan (for students who enroll prior to Summer 2027)
For more information about Seattle University's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
- Credits in Major: 62 semester credits or 92 quarter credits
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Semester-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 1410: Biology I - Molecular & Cell Biology and Evolution / BIOL 1411: Biology I Lab (4) | BIOL 1420: Biology II – Physiology, Development, and Ecology + BIOL 1421: Biology II Lab (3+1) |
| Course 2 | CHEM 1350: General Chemistry I / CHEM 1351: Chemistry of Water Lab (4) | CHEM 1360: General Chemistry II / CHEM 1851: Ocean Acidification Lab (4) |
| Course 3 | BIOL 1400: Pathways in Biology I (1) | MATH Elective (3) |
| Course 4 | UCOR 1000: Signature Seminar (3) | UCOR Stage I (3) |
| Course 5 | UCOR Stage I (3) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Explore your major and draft an educational plan.
- Talk to biology faculty mentors.
- Meet with your advisor each term for discussion & educational plan approval
- Meet peers, learn about campus activities, and get involved.
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 2700: Genetics (3) | BIOL Elective (4) |
| Course 2 | MATH Elective (3) | CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS Course (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage II (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 4 | UCOR Stage II (3) | General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Revise educational plan & consult each term with your advisor
- Be involved in campus and local activities.
- Attend career events.
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL Elective (4) | BIOL Elective (4) |
| Course 2 | CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS Course (3) | Science Elective (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage II (3) | BIOL 3400: Pathways in Biology II (1) |
| Course 4 | General Elective (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Revise educational plan & consult each term with your advisor.
- Participate in local activities and organizations.
- Investigate career options, attend career events, and think about post-SU educational programs or internships.
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 4991: Biology Capstone I (2) | BIOL 4992: Biology Capstone II (1) |
| Course 2 | BIOL Elective (4) | BIOL Elective (4) |
| Course 3 | Science Elective (3) | UCOR Stage III (3) |
| Course 4 | UCOR Stage III (3) | General Elective (4) |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Finalize plan for graduation & review with your advisor.
- Apply for graduation.
- Attend career events and consult with a Career Coach or consider school options.
- Apply for jobs, internships, or graduate or professional programs
Four-Year University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Stage I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Stage. For more information, please visit the University Core Website.
Stage I: Foundations
- UCOR 1000/2000 Signature Seminar
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Reasoning
- UCOR 1500 Philosophies of Humanity
Stage II: Inquiry
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2300 Inquiry Seminar in Creative Arts and Expression
- UCOR 2400 Inquiry Seminar in Literature, Art, or History
- UCOR 2600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 2800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
- UCOR 29XX Ethical Inquiry
Stage III: Engagement
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3200 Global Perspectives
- UCOR 3300 Responsibility and Action
Curriculum Notes
- BIOL electives are 2000+ and must include the following:
- Choose one – BIOL 2200, 2210, 3250, 3300, 3850, 3880, or 4626
- Choose one – BIOL 2600, 3350, 3520, 3650, 3660, 3800, 4500, or 4620-4627
- Choose one – BIOL 2220, 3100, 3150, 3710+3711, 3820, 4100, 4150, 4700, or 4750+4751
- At least 15 credits of the BIOL elective credits must be 3000- or 4000- level courses
- Natural/Physical Science electives (CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS) may include: CHEM 2450+, CPSC 1220+, ENSC 3000+, MATH 1210+, PHYS 1110+
- A Science elective course must be a major's level course or course option for other Biology majors and may be a biology course
- MATH electives include: MATH 1210 Statistics for Life Sciences, MATH 1230 Calculus for Life Sciences, MATH 1334 Calculus I, MATH 1335 Calculus II
- Plan assumes placement in MATH 1230/1334 by ALEKS exam or college credit, & if MATH 1028 (Trig) has not been fulfilled, it must be a MATH 1230/1334 corequisite
- Discuss your academic and future plans with your Biology Faculty Mentor for discipline-specific guidance and suggestions
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. Reach out to the College of Science & Engineering Advising Center for support via email at CSEAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Quarter-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll prior to Summer 2027
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 1620 – Evolution & Ecology + BIOL 1621 – Lab (4+1) | BIOL 1610 – Molecular & Cellular + BIOL 1611 – Lab (4+1) | BIOL 1630 – Physiology & Development + BIOL 1631 – Lab (4+1) |
| Course 2 | CHEM 1500 – General Chem I + CHEM 1501 – Lab (4+1) | CHEM 1510 – General Chem I + CHEM 1511 – Lab (4+2) | CHEM 1520 – General Chem III (4) OR CHEM 1590 – Research-Based 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 educational plan in MySeattleU.
- Talk to biology faculty mentors.
- Meet with your advisor quarterly for discussion & educational plan approval
- Meet peers, learn about campus activities, and get involved.
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL Elective (5) | BIOL 2700 – Genetics (5) | BIOL Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | †Choose MATH 1210, MATH 1230, OR MATH 1334 | Science Elective (5) | Science Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
†Choose MATH 1210 – Statistics for Life Sciences (5), MATH 1230 – Calculus for Life Sciences, OR MATH 1334 – Calculus I (5)
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Revise educational plan & consult quarterly with your advisor
- Be involved in campus and local activities.
- Attend career events.
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL Elective (5) | BIOL Elective (5) | BIOL Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS Nat/Phys Science (5) | CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS Nat/Phys Science (5) |
General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Revise 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.
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 4991 – Senior Synthesis I (2) | BIOL 4992 – Senior Synthesis II (2) | BIOL 4993 – Senior Synthesis III (1) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | General Electives (15) | BIOL 4996 – Senior Synthesis Seminar (1) |
| Course 3 | General Electives (10) | General Elective (8) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Finalize plan 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 are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social 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
Curriculum Notes
- Students must earn C- or better in prerequisite BIOL, CHEM, and MATH courses
- Plan assumes placement in MATH 1230 – Calculus for Life Sciences or MATH 1334 – Calculus I by ALEKS exam or college credit, & if MATH 1028 – Trigonometry has not been fulfilled, it must be a prerequisite or corequisite of MATH 1230 – Calculus for Life Sciences/MATH 1334 – Calculus I
- Natural/Physical Science courses (CHEM/CPSC/ENSC/MATH/PHYS) may include:
- CHEM ≥2100, CPSC ≥1220, ENSC ≥3000, MATH ≥1210, PHYS ≥1050/51.
- A science elective course must be a course approved for Biology majors and may be a biology course
- At least 15 credits of the BIOL elective credits must be 3000- or 4000- level courses.
- BIOL electives must include the following:
- Choose one: BIOL 2200, 2210, 3250, 3300, 3850, 3880, or 3890
- Choose one: BIOL 2350, 2520, 2530, 2600, 3500, 3650, 3660, 3800, 4620/30/40
- Choose one: BIOL 2220, 3100, 3150, 3820, 4100, 4150, 4700, or 4750+4751.
- Discuss your academic and future plans with your Biology Faculty Mentor for discipline-specific guidance and suggestions.
- Questions? Visit Sinegal (SINE) 401 or email biology@seattleu.edu
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., 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. Email CSE Advising at CSEAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the Writing Center.
- Level up your skills at the Math Lab.
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for support on research and assignments.
- Search the expansive network of books, eBooks, databases, journals and more.
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunity.
- Create something at the Media Production Center or Billodue Makerspace.
Here to Help
College of Science and Engineering Advising Center