Obtaining major credit for your high school AP exam in Biology (or other subjects)
Students may receive credit towards the lower division requirements for the major with the appropriate scores on Advanced Placement Exams. It is up to the discretion of the Chair of the Department whether the AP exam credit will be accepted for the major (this applies to all lower division requirements for the major). For the Department of Biology, an AP exam score of 4 or 5 in general will be accepted towards the Biology Major requirement. Advanced Placement Exam Credit appears on the ASE.
These equivalencies apply only for the Department of Biology. Students from other Departments must contact their Department advisors for their Department-specific policy on AP exam credit.
|
AP exam
|
Course
|
|---|---|
| Biology | Biol 230, 5 units |
| Calculus AB or BC | Math 226, 4 units |
| Chemistry (min score 3) | Chem 115, 5 units |
| Computer Science (A or AB) | CSC 210, 3 units |
| Physics AP-C Mechanics | Phys 111 or 220, 3 units |
| Statistics | Math 124, 3 units |
To obtain approval of AP credits for use toward the Biology Major:
Student must meet with his/her Biology Major Advisor bringing:
- SFSU transcripts, DARS, and ASE forms (the ASE form indicates the University has accepted the AP scores for transfer credit)
- Department of Biology Equivalency form
- copy of AP exam score report
After the Advisor signs the form, the student takes the form to the Department of Biology (HH534) and leaves the form in the office for final approval (Chair approval – the student DOES NOT MEET WITH THE CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT).
After the equivalency form is approved by the Department office, the student picks up the approved form and KEEPS the form
- to show to instructors to confirm completion of Biol 230
- to submit with the graduation application
Note that the restrictions for double counting also apply towards the AP exam credit: a maximum of 12 units may be double counted between the GE requirements and the major requirements.
