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Biology, B.A.

School of Arts and Sciences

What is possible when you delve into the fundamentals of life?
Anything.

Biology is the study of life and at the root of big questions like what we’re made of and how we got here. Explore these big questions as you learn to navigate faith and science in your studies.

As a biology major at Fresno Pacific University, you'll cover a range of topics – like molecular biology, global ecosystems, human biology and the diversity of life – and study under professors whose specialization ranges from bacteria to insects, trees to fluid dynamics

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.

With bachelor of arts, you’ll have flexibility in your coursework as you choose an emphasis of interest to you – including one preparing you to become a teacher.

Program Highlights

  • Craft a major to suit your particular interests with Environmental, Human Health, Secondary Teaching or an Individualized emphasis.
  • Engage in off-campus summer and study abroad programs
  • Join the on-campus, environmental 'Shalom Club' to work on the campus garden
  • Participate in trips around California with classmates
  • Work one-on-one with faculty to choose from a broad range of topics for your capstone research project

Emphases*

General Emphasis
Secondary Teaching
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* The Biology, B.A. requires that students choose an emphasis.

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Catalog

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.

Emphases Catalog*

General Emphasis
Secondary Teaching
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Three-year Degree Option

The emphases listed below also are available as a three-year bachelor's degree or as a standard four-year bachelor’s degree.

Sample Curriculum Map

Below is a sample curriculum map for this program. This map serves as an example of how courses are set up to ensure completion of the degree in three years. The course listing is based on a sample year and follows a fall, spring and summer academic year. Some courses are only offered on odd or even years. An advisor will work with you to create a curriculum map that is unique to you.

Secondary Teaching

Year 1

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
CP 152Freshman Seminar1
BIB 100Jesus and the Christian Community3
BIOL 111General Biology: Cells and Physiology4
MATH 140Pre-Calculus4
 Written/Oral Communication3
 PE1
 Total units16

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
BIOL 121General Biology: Diversity and Ecology4
PHYS 150Earth Science3
 Written/Oral Communication3
PSY 120General Psychology3
HIST 120Ancient Civilizations4
 Total units17

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
HIST 130Medieval and Early Modern Civilizations4
KIN 120Concepts of Wellness3
HIST 150American Civilization3
 Total units10

Year 2

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
CHEM 103General Chemistry I4
LA 380Learning Communites3
BIOL 312Ecology4
 Humanities/Social Science3
MATH 205Introductory Statistics3
 Total units17

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
CHEM 104General Chemistry II4
BIOL 332Human Physiology4
BIOL 370Bioethics3
PSY 355Adolescent Development3
 Humanities/Social Science3
 Total units17

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
HIST 140Modern Civilizations4
 Biblical Literature3
EDUC 638Health Education for Teachers2
 Elective3
 Total units12

Year 3

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
BIOL 450Genetics4
PHYS 120General Physics4
BIOL 321 or
BIOL 322
Vertebrate Zoology or
Invertebrate Zoology
4
EDUC 604Foundations of Education4
 Total units16

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
BIOL 470History and Philosophy of Science3
BIOL 485Senior Seminar in Biology2
THEO 430Contemporary Theology3
 Micro or Botany4
EDUC 605Teaching the Exceptional Learner3
 Practicum/Internship/Res1
 Total units16

Total Units: 120

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* The Biology, B.A. requires that students choose an emphasis.

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
Things to Keep in Mind
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Emphasis Requirements*

Secondary Teaching

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.

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Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information*

General Emphasis
Secondary Teaching
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Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application
Steps for Re-admission
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
Auditing a class
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Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements
Student responsibilities
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Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
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Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Junior / Senior Housing

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Notes about housing

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Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

With this degree, you’ll gain the foundation for a broad range of careers in the sciences and beyond. You’ll also be well-prepared for medical and graduate studies, including teacher credential programs, and master’s and doctoral research.

Possible Careers

  • Teacher
  • Researcher
  • Lab coordinator
  • Environmental scientist

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center