Degree pathways serve as a guide for planning the academic coursework required to complete a specific major, semester by semester. This roadmap is subject to change and is NOT to be considered a replacement for advisement with an academic advisor.

This pathway assumes that the transfer student

  • Completed all GE course work.
  • Passed Calculus I and Calculus II with a grade of "C" or higher.
  • Passed General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II for Science Majors with a grade of "C" or higher. These courses have 2-unit labs either embedded in the courses or as co-requisites.
  • Passed the entry level (sophomore or 200 level) Biology course sequence with a grade of "C" or higher. In our curriculum, courses would be equivalent to BIO 240: Ecology,Evol, Biodiversity (Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity), BIO 241: Cellular & Molecular Biology (Cellular and Molecular Biology, and BIO 242: Plant & Animal Form & Function (Plant and Animal Form and Function.)
  • Still needs to complete the CSUMB language requirement.

If the student needs more preparatory courses, the four-semester model below would need to be extended. Also, since there is room for adjustment in this pathway, it is essential that a student seek an advisor at the outset to help set up a reasonable plan.

Language Requirement: Students who choose Biology or Environmental Science Technology and Policy as a major will need to acquire language proficiency through the third level (101, 102 and 201) in a single language by the time they graduate. Other majors that require only third level include BUS, ADMIN, CSIT, and Liberal Studies.  If students change to any other major, they will need to complete the fourth level (101, 102, 201, and 202).

Students with proficiency in a language (whether from coursework completed in high school or fluency) should consult with the World Languages and Cultures Department for proper placement levels or to assess out of language requriements.

Fall Junior

CourseUnitsRequirement(s) MetGE Area
BIO 311: Genetics3MLO 8 Advanced Knowledge in Ecology, Evolution or Genetics
CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I5MLO 2 Physical Science Foundations
PHYS 150: Physics for Biologists4MLO 2 Physical Science Foundations
Any Approved Course at level 300 or above4Language 2UDGE
Total16

Spring Junior

CourseUnitsRequirement(s) MetGE Area
BIO 300: Issues & Ethics in Biology4
  •  
ENVS 300L: Read Write Crit Think ENVS Lab1Tech/Info 
CHEM 2125MLO 2 Physical Science Foundations
Any Approved Course at level 300 or above4Language 3UDGE
Total14

Fall Senior

CourseUnitsRequirement(s) MetGE Area
Any Approved Course4MLO 10 Biology Capstone and Advanced Electives
Any Approved Course4MLO 6 Advanced Knowledge in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Any Approved Course4MLO 7 Advanced Knowledge in Organismal Biology
Any Approved Course4MLO 10 Biology Capstone and Advanced Electives
Total16

Spring Senior

CourseUnitsRequirement(s) MetGE Area
BIO 490: Biology Capstone2MLO 10 Biology Capstone and Advanced Electives
Any Approved Course4MLO 5 Information, Technology and Scientific Inquiry in Biology
Any Approved Course4MLO 8 Advanced Knowledge in Ecology, Evolution or Genetics
Any Approved Course at level 300 or above5
Total15

Total: 61 units

This is assuming a transfer student has entered CSUMB with 60 units