Here are the classes that we recommend you take during your first year as a Biology major at Chapman.
For your first semester, we recommend taking 12-15 credits (most classes are 3 credits; those with labs are 4). You must be enrolled in 12 credits to be considered a full-time status student. The recommended courses below will put you at 14-16 credits per semester (fall and spring).
Introductory Math Requirement
General Education Classes
You can choose a General Education (GE) class from any GE category – it’s your choice. In general, the following GE areas are recommended to begin/complete during your first year:
- GE Language Study (strongly recommended)
- GE Quantitative Inquiry (satisfied with MATH 110, MATH 111, or appropriate AP credit)
Note: Some GE courses may “double count” with your major or minor. Students can share up to 9 credits between major and GE requirements and can share up to 6 credits between minor and GE requirements. Visit the General Education Program site to review the GE policies and see a list of approved courses for each GE area.
You can learn more about general education on our General Education: How it Works page.
Pre-med
The department does not recommend taking BIOL 204/204L if you have received AP credit, and instead taking BIOL 208/208L. However, it is recommended that students still take CHEM 140/140L even if receiving AP credit. Some medical schools require college level courses with a letter grade and will not accept AP credit. It is the student's responsibility to check the requirements from the medical schools they are interested in.
AP Scores
AP Biology: If you received a 4 or higher, take BIO 208/208L in the fall instead of BIO 204/204L.
AP Chemistry: If you received a 4 or higher, take CHEM 140/140L.
AP Calculus AB: If you received a 4 or higher, take MATH 111 in the fall instead of MATH 110
AP Calculus BC: If you received a 4 or higher, take CPSC 292 in the fall instead of MATH 110.
Fall Semester
BIOL Majors are part of the Block Scheduling program for first-year students in the Fall 2023 semester. You will be pre-registered by the department in your major courses listed below in May/June. You can then build the rest of your schedule around these required major courses.
FFC 100B - Grand Challenges (Block Scheduled)
Credits: 3
Note: All first-year students at Chapman have to take First Year Foundations. The class will introduce you to college and there is a different topic for every major. As a biology major, you must take an FFC 100B option from the Schmid and Fowler Colleges’ Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering category. You will be pre-registered into this class along with your other major courses.
MATH 110 - Single Variable Calculus I or MATH 101 - Developing Mathematical and Study Skills for STEM (Block Scheduled, after Math Assessment completed)
Credits: 3 or 4
As an incoming STEM major, you will be pre-regsitered into your Math class depending on where you place after taking the Math Assessment.
BIOL 204/204L - From Molecules to Cells (Block Scheduled)
Credits: 4
CHEM 140/140L - General Chemistry (Block Scheduled)
Credits: 4
Please utilize this additional information provided by the Biology department for your Fall schedule.
Spring Semester
SCI 150 - Grand Challenges cont.
Credits: 1
MATH 111 - Single Variable Calculus II (if MATH 110 was completed in fall)
Credits: 3
BIO 205/205L - Evolution and Diversity of Multicellular Organisms (Gen Bio II)
Credits: 4
CHEM 150/150L - General Chemistry II
Credits: 4
BIO 101 - Introduction to the Biological Sciences Major (required, offered in Spring only)
Credits: 1, P/NP
GE class or minor exploration
Credits: 3
If you have questions about specific courses within the major, please contact the biology faculty program advisor, Dr. Carolyn Sherff at sherff@chapman.edu.