Office of the Registrar

Biology - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BI 211/2145BI 212/2155BI 213/2165
CH 221/2275CH 222/2285CH 223/2295
Total Fall Credits15Total Winter Credits15Total Spring Credits15

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
CH 334 Organic Chemistry I4Biology Area A, B, or C Course4Biology Area A, B, or C Course4
Calculus or Statistics Sequence Course4Calculus or Statistics Sequence Course4Science Elective4
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
Total Fall Credits15-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits14-17

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
Biology Area C Course4Biology Req. #2 Course w/Lab4Biology Area A, B, or C Course4
PH 201 & 2145Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4BI 412-499 Course4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
Total Fall Credits16-18Total Winter Credits14-17Total Spring Credits15-17

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Biology Req. #2 Course w/Lab6BI 412-499 Course4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
BI 412-499 Course4BI Upper Division Elective4BI Upper Division Elective4
BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4Science Elective4Science Elective4
Total Fall Credits13-14Total Winter Credits12Total Spring Credits14

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required. Meet with assigned advisor regarding Sophomore Inquiry and Race & Ethnic Studies requirements.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • BI 211/214 and CH 221/227: Students must place into Math 111Z in order to take Chemistry 221. Biology 211/214 should not be taken without concurrent enrollment in CH 221, or prior completion of CH 221-223.
  • Calculus or Statistics Sequence Course: Complete MTH 251 and MTH 252 OR STAT 243Z and STAT 244.
  • Biology Area A, B, or C Course: Students must take at least one course from each of Areas A & B, and complete BOTH courses in Area  C. See department or academic advisor for course list.
  • Biology Area C Course: Students must take at least one course from each of Areas A & B, and complete BOTH courses in Area C. See department or academic advisor for course list.
  • Science Elective: Select from Anthropology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Math/Stats, Public Health Education, Psychology, or Physics at the 200-level or above, not including "U" courses. 
  • Biology Req. #2 Course w/Lab: Students must complete at least TWO courses with a major lab or field component. See department or academic advisor for course list.
  • BI 412-499 Level Course: Select from any Biology course numbered 412-499 or approved BI410 courses. 
  • PH 201 & 214: Students may choose to take PH 211 & 214, PH 221 & 214 or PH 231 & 214. 
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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