
Andrew Sensenig, Ph.D.
School of Natural Sciences
Explore Biology, B.A.
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.
General biology provides maximum flexibility to craft a major to suit your particular interests and toward the career you choose. You’ll be encouraged to consider off-campus summer programs and semester abroad programs for additional course enrichment.
Secondary teaching will guide you toward becoming a teacher in the field of biology, ensuring you’ve taken all the steps in preparation for a credential program.
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.
Department Chair: Andrew Sensenig, Ph.D.
The total coursework requirements include a minimum of 48 units of biology, chemistry, physical science and mathematics beyond the general education prerequisites, of which a minimum of 24 must be upper division.
Main Campus Fresno
Department Chair: Andrew Sensenig, Ph.D.
The total coursework requirements include a minimum of 48 units of biology, chemistry, physical science and mathematics beyond the general education prerequisites, of which a minimum of 24 must be upper division.
Main Campus Fresno
The emphases listed below also are available as a three-year bachelor's degree or as a standard four-year bachelor’s degree.
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.
Fall
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CP 152 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
BIB 100 | Jesus and the Christian Community | 3 |
BIOL 111 | General Biology: Cells and Physiology | 4 |
MATH 140 | Pre-Calculus | 4 |
Written/Oral Communication | 3 | |
PE | 1 | |
Total units | 16 |
Spring
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIOL 121 | General Biology: Diversity and Ecology | 4 |
PHYS 150 | Earth Science | 3 |
Written/Oral Communication | 3 | |
PSY 120 | General Psychology | 3 |
HIST 120 | Ancient Civilizations | 4 |
Total units | 17 |
Summer
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
HIST 130 | Medieval and Early Modern Civilizations | 4 |
KIN 120 | Concepts of Wellness | 3 |
HIST 150 | American Civilization | 3 |
Total units | 10 |
Fall
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CHEM 103 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
LA 380 | Learning Communites | 3 |
BIOL 312 | Ecology | 4 |
Humanities/Social Science | 3 | |
MATH 205 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
Total units | 17 |
Spring
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CHEM 104 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
BIOL 332 | Human Physiology | 4 |
BIOL 370 | Bioethics | 3 |
PST 355 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
Humanities/Social Science | 3 | |
Total units | 17 |
Summer
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
HIST 140 | Modern Civilizations | 4 |
Biblical Literature | 3 | |
EDUC 638 | Health Education for Teachers | 2 |
Elective | 3 | |
Total units | 12 |
Fall
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIOL 450 | Genetics | 4 |
PHYS 120 | General Physics | 4 |
BIOL 321 or BIOL 322 |
Vertebrate Zoology or Invertebrate Zoology |
4 |
EDUC 604 | Foundations of Education | 4 |
Total units | 16 |
Spring
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIOL 470 | History and Philosophy of Science | 3 |
BIOL 485 | Senior Seminar in Biology | 2 |
THEO 430 | Contemporary Theology | 3 |
Micro or Botany | 4 | |
EDUC 605 | Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
Practicum/Internship/Res | 1 | |
Total units | 16 |
Total Units: 120
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.
Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.
All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu
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.
1. Biology (AS-T) to Biology, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
1. Biology (AS-T) to Biology, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:
Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:
Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:
Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.
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.
This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.
FPU guarantees a student with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from the California Community College system, can complete their degree in just two years. If a student meets the qualification requirements, fulfills the responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-year period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.
Total Cost Item | Amount |
---|---|
12-18 units (full time) per year | $34,960 |
Student body fee | $598 |
Total Tuition and Fees | $35,548 |
Room | $5,018 |
Board | $5,130 |
Total Tuition, Fees & Board | $45,696 |
Per-Unit Costs | Amount |
---|---|
Per unit / Overload | $1,248 |
Summer Session | $500 |
Private Music Instruction | $400 |
Total Cost Item | Amount |
---|---|
12-18 units (full time) per year | $33,614 |
Student body fee | $574 |
Total Tuition and Fees | $34,188 |
Room and Board | $8,884 |
Total Tuition, Fees & Board | $43,072 |
Per-Unit Costs | Amount |
---|---|
Per unit / Overload | $1,218 |
Summer Session | $400 |
Private Music Instruction | $400 |
Total Cost Item | Amount |
---|---|
12-18 units (full time) per year | $32,954 |
Student body fee | $498 |
Total Tuition and Fees | $33,452 |
Room and Board | $8,710 |
Total Tuition, Fees & Board | $42,162 |
Per-Unit Costs | Amount |
---|---|
Per unit / Overload | $1,177 |
Summer Session | $300 |
Private Music Instruction | $400 |
Module* | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Modules | $4,313 | $4,313 |
Jost Modules | $4,619 | $4,619 |
* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)
Suites & Houses | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Room only | $2,068 | $2,068 |
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $2,719 | $2,719 |
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,276 | $3,276 |
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) | $4,400 | $4,400 |
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person) | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Apartment - Room only | $2,694 | $2,694 |
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,345 | $3,345 |
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,902 | $3,902 |
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) | $5,026 | $5,026 |
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall Apartments: 3 Person | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Apartments - Room only | $3,306 | $3,306 |
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,958 | $3,958 |
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $4,514 | $4,514 |
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) | $5,639 | $5,639 |
Stand-Alone Meal Plans | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
70 Block | $651 | $651 |
140 Block | $1,208 | $1,208 |
Full Access Meal Plan | $2,332 | $2,332 |
* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.
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.
Name | GPA | Amount |
---|---|---|
Paragon | Full Tuition | |
President's | 4.00 GPA and above | $18,000 |
Dean's | 3.75-3.99 GPA | $15,000 |
Heritage | 3.50-3.75 GPA | $14,000 |
Faculty | 3.25-3.49 GPA | $12,000 |
Founder's | Below a 3.0 GPA | $8,000 |
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.
Name | GPA | Amount |
---|---|---|
Transfer Scholar | 3.50 GPA and above | $14,000 |
Transfer Achievement | 3.0-3.49 GPA | $10,000 |
Transfer Academic | 2.40-2.99 GPA | $7,500 |
Transfer Partnership | Below a 2.4 GPA | $6,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
Athletic | $500 to Full Tuition |
Music | $400 to $10,000 |
Theatre Arts | $500 to $4,000 |
Art/Design | $500 to $4,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
FPU Possibilities Scholarship | Full Tuition |
Church Match | $500 to $1,500 |
International Scholarship | up to $6,000 |
Mennonite Brethren Award | $4,000 |
Out of State Student Scholarship | $4,000 |
Other Awards | $100 to $10,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
Cal Grant A | $9,358 |
Cal Grant B | $1,648 |
Pell Grants | $750 to $7,395 |
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | $1,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
Federal Direct | $3,500 to $7,500 |
PLUS Loan | Up to remaining cost |
Workstudy | Contingent on employment |
Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.
Alexandra Green
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.
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.
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.
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.