Completing Upper Division Courses
- Old Catalogs and New

General Questions

Which catalog should I use?

Most students are in the early stages of their upper division work or have not yet begun it. They should therefore follow the 2000-2002 catalog because of its flexibility and currency.

When you enter SSU you are admitted with a specific "catalog year," which appears on the Advising Record in your file. This is in essence a contract between you and the University, and the Department is obligated to make sure that it meets its commitments to your plan. If we no longer offer a course in your plan, we are obligated to provide a substitute.

Current biology students are all under a catalog year prior to 1998 or are in the 1998-2000 catalog. The requirements for these two sets of students are very similar in that they all are required to take Biology 320-General Genetics, and either biology 324-Animal Physiology or 334-Plant Physiology and then a set of courses as specified by the handout sheets that have been available in the Department Office.

If you have taken both the genetics and physiology courses as well as several upper division biology courses, you should work with your advisor to complete the major unde the plan that you have been following. If by chance you have taken a number of upper division courses, but haven't yet taken genetics, you should complete this requirement if possible by taking Biology 320-Molecular Genetics. (If you are graduating December 2000 you may substitute Biology 321-Molecular Microbiology or Biology 325-Cell Biology). If you haven't yet taken physiology you may take either Biology 324-Animal Physiology, Biology 326-Environmental Physiology, or Biology 334-Plant Physiology.

How do the catalogs differ in physical sciences and math?

For the B.S. degree, there are few significant differences in any of the earlier catalog years. For the B.A. degree, there are significant differences. The 1996 catalog does not require organic chemistry and statistics, and the 1998 and 2000 catalogs do.

How can I change to the 2000-2002 catalog year?

Admissions and Records will accept any later catalog year that you put on your application to graduate, therefore you don't need to do anything right now except begin following the new plan.

OPTIONS TO CONSIDER BASED ON YOUR CATALOG YEAR

1996-98 or earlier catalog

  1. All B.S. candidates, as well as B.A. candidates close to completion who wish not to take organic chemistry and statistics:
    • Finish up with this catalog. For B.A., U.D. courses in groups A, B, C, and D are required-see advisor for options. For B.A. and B.S., follow sheets dated 1/98 that have been available in the office, unless you are in a catalog prior to 1996, in which case use older sheet that you have or see Dr. Northen.
    • Note: Advisory plans are B.A. recommendations to be used flexibly in consultation with your advisor. Meet the general requirements for the B.A., tailoring the courses you take to your specific interests.
  2. B.A. candidates close to completion who have organic chemistry, physics or geology, but wish not to take specific U.D. courses from groups A or D:
    • Graduate under 2000-2002 catalog. In the B.A. there are no advantages to 1998-2000 catalog.
    1. B.A. Concentrations in 2000-2002 Catalog
      • All but Medical Technology have the same physical science and math.
      • Required U.D. courses. Take within new U.D. Core or as electives:
        • Marine Biology: Bio 350, Bio 326 or 334, 338.
        • Botany: Bio 336, 334, 300 and/or 301, at least two of the following: 330, 338, 339, 502.
        • Zoology: Bio 300, 350 or 355, 324 or 326, 360 or 370, at least one of the following: 375, 460, 463, 465, 468.
        • Medical Lab Technology: 324, 340, 480, 480L or Chem 441, 481, 482, Chem 255 or 341, Chem 340 or Chem 445 and 446.
        • Microbiology: 321, 338 or 339, 340, 324 or 334, at least one of the following: 383, 480, 481, 484.
    2. B.S. Concentrations in 2000-2002 Catalog
      • All are specified completely in the new catalog.

1998-2000 Catalog

  1. B.A. and B.S.: Entered as transfer with most or all lower division complete; have completed genetics and/or physiology as well as several other upper division courses:
    • Finish up with this catalog. For B.A. and B.S., follow sheets dated 1/98 that have been available in the office. If you still need genetics, use Bio 320-Molecular Biology, unless you are graduating Dec. 2000, in which case use Bio 321-Molecular Microbiology or 325-Cell Biology. If you still need physiology use either Bio 324-Animal Physiology, 326-Environmental Physiology, or 334-Plant Physiology.
  2. B.A. and B.S.: Entered as a freshman or as a transfer with only one or a few of the lower division course requirements met. Have not yet taken both genetics and physiology:
    • Graduate under 2000-2002 catalog.