About Biological Sciences
Study living organisms and their relation to each other and their environment through the observation of structure, function, reproduction, growth, origin, evolution, and behavior.
Biologists have deepened our understanding of processes and interactions on all levels of biological organization from elucidating cellular processes to fight cancer to assessing interactions in communities that might help prevent the extinction of species. Studying biology provides a background for students to evaluate and understand new discoveries and to make informed decisions about the use of scientific knowledge to benefit all living organisms.
The study of Biological Sciences provides a background fundamental to a wide variety of disciplines and careers - from the study of the smallest viruses to the exploration of vast ecosystems. Biology degrees lead to careers as diverse as building medicines and biofuels, designing environmentally sustainable methods of food production, and all fields in healthcare including nurses, physicians, and veterinarians. CCSF provides a wide variety of degrees and certificates intended to provide students with backgrounds appropriate to their specific interests.
Explore Potential Careers
Studying Biological Sciences can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!
- Pharmacology
- Forensic Science
- Medicine
- Biotechnology
- Veterinary science
- Nursing
- Genetic Counseling
- Science Teaching
- Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist
- Bioinformatics
Program Options
Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.
Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
| BIO 11 |
Science of Living Organisms |
4 |
| MATH 90 + 90S |
Pre-Calculus Algebra |
8 |
| CCSF Area E - Humanities |
|
3 |
Total Units: 15
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
| CHEM 101A |
General College Chemistry |
6 |
| MATH 95 |
Trigonometry |
3 |
| ENGL 1A + AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
6 |
Total Units: 15
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
| BIO 100A |
General Biology |
5 |
| CHEM 101B |
General Chemistry |
5 |
| MATH 110A |
Calculus I |
5 |
Total Units: 15
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
| BIO 100B |
General Biology |
5 |
| MATH 110B |
Calculus II |
5 |
| PHYC 2A |
Introductory Physics |
3 |
| PHYC 2AL |
Introductory Physics Laboratory |
1 |
| CCSF Area G2 - Physical Skills |
|
1 |
Total Units: 15
Semester 5
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
| CHEM 208A |
Organic Chemistry |
4 |
| PHYC 2B |
Introductory Physics |
3 |
| PHYC 2BL |
Introductory Physics Lab |
1 |
| CCSF Area D - Social and Behavioral Sciences |
|
3 |
| CCSF Area G1 - Health Knowledge |
|
3 |
Total Units: 14
Semester 6
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
| CHEM 208B |
Organic Chemistry |
4 |
| CCSF Area F - United States History and Government |
|
3 |
| CCSF Area H - Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, or LGBT Studies |
|
3 |
Total Units: 10
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4-6 |
|
| PSYC 1 or PSYC 21 |
General Psychology or Lifespan Development |
3 |
|
| CHEM 32 or CHEM 101A |
Intro to Medical Chemistry or General College Chemistry |
4-6 |
|
| CCSF Area E |
Humanities |
3 |
|
Total Units: 14-18
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| BIO 108 |
General Human Anatomy |
4 |
|
| MATH 80 |
Probability and Statistics |
5 |
|
| CMST 1A or CMST 20 |
Elements of Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication |
3 |
|
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| BIO 120 |
Introduction to Microbiology |
4 |
|
| CCSF Area H |
Ethnic, Women's, Gender, LGBTQ Studies |
3 |
|
| CCSF Area F |
US History & Government |
3 |
|
| BIO 112 |
Introduction to Human Physiology |
4 |
|
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
3 |
|
Total Units: 17
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
3 |
|
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
3 |
|
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
3 |
|
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
3 |
|
| CCSF Degree Applicable Units |
See Counselor |
2 |
|
Total Units: 14
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4-6 |
|
| CSU AREA E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
*your choice |
| CHEMI 40 |
Required before CHEM 101A |
5 |
See Counselor for alternate options |
| CSU Area A1 |
Oral Communications |
3 |
*your choice |
Total Units: 15-17
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CSU Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3-4 |
*your choice |
| CSU Area D |
Social & Behavioral Science |
3 |
*your choice |
| CHEMI 101A |
General College Chemistry |
5 |
|
| MATH 110A or 100A |
Calculus I (short or long) |
3-5 |
See Counselor to discuss options |
Total Units: 14-17
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CSU Area C2 |
Humanities |
3 |
|
| CHEM 101B |
General College Chemistry |
5 |
|
| BIO 100A |
General Biology |
5 |
|
| POLS 1 |
American Government |
3 |
|
Total Units: 16
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CSU Area C1 |
Arts |
3 |
*your choice |
| BIO 100B |
General Biology |
5 |
|
| PHYC 2A + 2AL or PHYC 4A + 4AL |
Introductory Physics (lecture + lab) OR Classical Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers (lecture + lab) |
4 |
|
Total Units: 12
Semester 5
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CSU Area C1 or C2 |
Arts and Humanities |
3 |
*your choice |
| CSU U.S. History Graduation Requirement |
See Counselor |
3 |
*your choice |
| PHYC 2B + 2BL or PHYC 4B + 4BL |
Introductory Physics (lecture + lab) OR Electromagnetism for Scientists and Engineers (lecture + lab) |
4 |
|
| Major Requirement Elective |
See Counselor |
3-5 |
|
Total Units: 13-15
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CHEM 32 OR CHEM 101A |
Introduction to Medical Chemistry or General College Chemistry |
4 or 6 |
|
| BIO 108 |
General Human Anatomy |
4 |
|
Total Units: 8 or 10
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| BIO 112 |
Introduction to Human Physiology |
4 |
|
| BIO 120 |
Introduction to Microbiology |
4 |
|
Total Units: 8
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CHEM 101A |
General College Chemistry |
6 |
|
| BIO 100A |
General Biology |
5 |
|
| MATH 100A OR MATH 110A |
Short Calculus I or Calculus I |
3 or 5 |
|
Total Units: 14 or 16
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| BIO 100B |
General Biology |
5 |
|
| PHYC 2A + 2AL OR PHYC 4A + 4AL |
Introductory Physics (Lecture + Laboratory) or Classical Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers (Lecture + Laboratory) |
4 |
|
Total Units: 9
Transfer Options
The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Biological Sciences programs at the following institutions:
Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.
Work-based learning opportunities
- BIO 92 - Biology Work Experience Course (Off campus college work experience with a community partner in the fields of biology, ecology or environmental science, subject to approval of and under the supervision of a biology department instructor.)
- Student Lab-Aides working with Nicola Burrows in the Biology Stockroom
