College of Biological Sciences Benchmarks
Degree Planning Documents
College of Biological Sciences
BIO Special Major Requirements
My Four Year Planning Worksheet
The college benchmarks below are provided to give you a general idea of the number of hours and types of courses expected to be completed each year in order maintain a four-year graduation plan for majors in the College of Biological Sciences (BIO). However, each major has special requirements and pre-requisites that can be accessed by downloading the BIO Special Major Requirements form. In addition to this, we have provided sample four-year degree plans for each major offered in BIO to assist you as you develop your graduation plan.
First Year – 45 Degree Hours
- Complete Math 151
- Complete Chemistry 122/H202
- Complete Biology 113/H115
- Complete English 110
- Complete one or two Social Science/Arts & Humanities degree requirements
- Advising Conferences – have met with your Arts and Sciences academic counselor & major advisors at least once
Second Year – 90 Degree Hours
- Complete Math 152 or Math 254 for biochemistry
- Complete general chemistry (Chemistry 123) and organic Chemistry (251-255, depends on major)
- Complete Biology 114/H116
- Complete Writing – second writing course
- Complete two or three Social Science/Arts & Humanities degree requirements
- Advising Conferences – have met with your Arts and Sciences academic counselor & major advisors at least once
Third Year – 135 Degree Hours
- Complete Physics sequence, Physics 111/131, 112/132, and 113/133 (depends on major)
- Complete three or four courses in major
- Begin Foreign Language
- Complete two or three general education courses
- Advising Conferences – have met with your Arts and Sciences academic counselor & major advisors at least once
Fourth Year – 191 (minimum degree hours)
- Complete remaining hours in the Arts & Humanities/Social Science general degree requirements
- Complete Major/minor
- Be certain you have completed the 597 senior capstone course (for BA only)
- Check for completion of all required degree hours (minimum of 191, will vary with each student)
- Make sure you have at least 60 Upper Division hours (300 level and above)
- Apply for graduation (with your Arts and Sciences academic counselor), 1 quarter prior to the quarter you anticipate to graduate.Preparing to Graduate.
