Biology, B.S.

As a biology major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll explore big questions and learn to navigate faith and science in your studies. Courses will take you to diverse habitats, from studying the principles of ecology at Kings Canyon National Park to analyzing fish behavior along California’s Central Coast. You'll cover a range of topics, including molecular biology, global ecosystems, human biology and the diversity of life, preparing for a range of careers in science and beyond. Study under professors who have specialized in a wide range of topics, from bacteria to insects to trees to fluid dynamics, and explore opportunities to delve into research projects. With a B.S., you’ll gain greater depth of foundational coursework in the major as you work toward a research capstone.

Highlights

Career opportunities

Common careers for biologists include teacher, researcher, lab coordinator and environmental scientist. Our graduates are also well-prepared for medical and graduate studies, including teacher credential programs, master’s and doctoral research.

Transferring to Fresno Pacific

FPU is a partner school with Transferology, a web-based tool that allows you to match the courses you’ve already taken with FPU programs. Visit Transferology.com to create an account and get started.

Course listing

In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete at least 120 units. Along with completing all required courses in their selected area of study, general education requirements must be met by all graduates. See the general education summary in the undergraduate academic catalog for more information.

Select programs may not provide enough units for a student to graduate and therefore an emphasis and/or elective courses must be completed alongside the major. Please see below for emphases related to this area of study.

General Education Prerequisites

Required Courses (43 Units)

Supporting Courses

Environmental Emphasis Courses (15 Units Minimum)

Course substitutions may be made with program director approval.

Human Health Emphasis Required Courses

Select 16 units from the following

Other coursework approved by the Biology Program Director

Pre-medical students should enroll in PHYS 121 - General Physics II, CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry II and BIOL 421 - Biochemistry.

Secondary Teaching Emphasis Required Courses (15 Units Minimum)

Select 2 additional units of upper-division biology courses.

Teacher Education Program Information

Students who are interested in applying for admission to the Teacher Education Program should refer to the Graduate School description of admissions requirements for the program and obtain academic advising from the program at least two semesters prior to completion of their degrees.

LA 385 - Critical Approaches to Teaching is recommended to students, as it provides school-based experiences with youth.

Individualized Emphasis Courses (15 Units Minimum)

Electives chosen in consultation with the program director to address specific interests of the student. Courses from field institutes or other institutions may be used. Examples of possible emphases include marine biology, plant science, animal science and bio-psychology.

Program director

Andrew T. Sensenig, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Program Director, Biology B.S.

Faculty

Alan Thompson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Biology, Program Director, Pharmaceutical Science, Pre-Health Sciences & Biology B.A.

Michael Kunz, Ph.D.

Program Director, Environmental Science & Environmental Studies

Krista Edmiston, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology

Karen Cianci, Ph.D.

Dean of the School of Natural Sciences

Maria A. Soria, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biology