Biology Department photograph montage

Changing your major

SFSU has changed its policy on changing your major or adding  a second major after you have earned 96 units.

The relevant change of major forms are:

Changing your major with less than 96 units completed:  To change your major you must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in your current major. You must meet with the appropriate Biology Advisor for the new major, and take to this meeting the following paperwork:

  • current unofficial SFSU transcripts
  • a copy of his/her Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE)
  • a Degree Audit Report (if a transfer student)
  • current course enrollment
  • prospective course plan
  • change of major form

Changing your major with 96 units or more units completed:  To change your major you must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in your current major. You must meet with the appropriate Biology Advisor for the new major, and take to this meeting the following paperwork:

  • current unofficial SFSU transcripts
  • a copy of his/her Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE)
  • a Degree Audit Report (if a transfer student)
  • current course enrollment
  • prospective course plan listing the remaining courses to complete the new major
  • change of major form

Adding a second major before or after accruing  96 units:  To add your second major you must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in your first current major.  You must be able to complete the second major within the 120 - 132 unit minimum required to graduate.  You must meet with your primary Major Advisor to have your course plan for the remaining course work for your primary major approved.  Then, you must meet with the appropriate Biology Advisor for the new major, and take to this meeting the following paperwork:

  • current unofficial SFSU transcripts
  • a copy of his/her Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE)
  • a Degree Audit Report (if a transfer student)
  • current course enrollment
  • prospective course plan listing the remaining courses to complete the second major
  • add secondary major form

Adding a minor:  To add your minor you must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in your current major. You must meet with the appropriate Biology Advisor for the new major, and take to this meeting the following paperwork:

  • current unofficial SFSU transcripts
  • a copy of his/her Advanced Standing Evaluation (ASE)
  • a Degree Audit Report (if a transfer student)
  • current course enrollment
  • prospective course plan to complete the minor degree
  • add or declare minor form

After the advisor approves the change of major/minor form, you must take the form to the Department of Biology (HH534) for final approval. The student does not meet with the Chair of the Department. The Department staff will stamp the change of major form. You then take the change of major form to the One Stop Center in the Student Services Building to submit the form to the Registrar's Office.

ATTENTION UNDECLARED STUDENTS who wish to change their major to a Biology degree but are interested in the B.S. in Nursing

Please be certain that the Biology major is the appropriate major for YOU. One option to consider is declaring the Pre-Nursing Major. You can bring your form to the Advising Center for approval. A second option, If you are considering applying for the B.S. Nursing degree, is to select your new major based on the degree requirements that overlap with the Nursing major. Please consider the fact that the Nursing major is an impacted major (more students apply than can be accepted). A better strategy to obtain your degree in a reasonable time may be to select a major that will accept the Nursing-related courses for credit towards the major, so that you will not have to start from scratch with with a new major if you are not accepted into the Nursing degree program. This is particularly important if you have already taken Biol. 210/211 and Biol 610/611--these courses are NOT accepted for Biology major credit. The following majors do accept some of these courses for the major:

Back to Undergraduate Advising for Biology Students