Advisement is an essential component of successful and timely academic achievement. Students are strongly advised to seek advisement at the beginning of their program through the NSS Advisement Center and at least once each academic year.
All on-duty faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences are available for advisement regarding academic requirements for the major, choosing an option, course selection, research opportunities, and career opportunities in the biological sciences during faculty office hours. You can use Department Research page to see faculty members grouped by research related to each of the BS degree options.
Students nearing graduation or interested in health career advisement should make an appointment with the Principal Undergraduate Advisor, Dr. Hyunsook Park. You can make an appointment with the Principal Undergraduate Advisor and any other full-time faculty member through the Biological Sciences Department Office in person or over the phone.
Suggestions for yearly academic advisement
Year 1 – Meet with NSS advisor, develop a personal roadmap (see below) and select courses
Year 2 – Declare major, choose an option (see below)
Year 3 – Explore career options, meet with Biology faculty advisor to discuss post-graduate opportunities
Year 4 – Complete a grad check at the NSS advisement center
Where to go for advisement
A Biology faculty advisor helps students with following advisements:
- Alternative course selections for timely graduation.
- Course requirement review for graduation and substitution
- Transfer credit equivalency evaluation for major students
- Guidance on prerequisites and registration processes
- Guidance on career selection and long-term professional growth
To make an appointment:
Visit the Biology dept office in BIOS 149 or contact undergraduate advisor by email.
The NSS academic advisement center helps students from orientation to graduation:
- General Education and Major requirements
- Create academic plans and course selections
- Identify and integrate co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to help students achieve their academic and professional goals
- Use the Campus Academic Requirements Report (CARR), departmental checklists/roadmaps, and other tools to monitor their academic progress
- Apply University policies, procedures and forms
- Graduation check
To make an appointment visit the NSS Advising Center or reach the Advising Center by email.
Roadmaps to Graduation
Graduation Roadmaps are suggested academic plans designed to inform students about the sequence of courses needed to satisfy degree requirements. Four-year roadmaps are provided for freshman who are attending college full-time. Two-year roadmaps are also provided for transfer students who have satisfied all the general education requirements before coming to Cal State LA.
For 2021 Year Catalog and Later
Four-Year Roadmap for Biology Option
Four-Year Roadmap for Ecology, Evolution, and Environment Option
Four-Year Roadmap for Microbiology Option
Four-Year Roadmap for Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Option
Four-Year Roadmap for Physiology Option
Roadmap for GE-Certified BIOL BS Transfer Students
For catalog years prior to 2021, contact the Principal Undergraduate Advisor for the roadmaps.