How to Apply to Biology at California State University, Fresno: A BS in Biology and a Teaching-Credential BA in Natural Sciences (Biology Option) in the Department of Biology, with Biology an Impacted Program and SAT/ACT Not Used, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

California State University, Fresno (Fresno State, in Fresno, California) teaches biology in the Department of Biology in the College of Science and Mathematics. This guide relies on the department and college pages and the Admissions, International Office and tuition pages, covering US domestic, international and Chinese applicants, with transfer students at the end. Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and similar degrees are outside this guide, so please see the university website; chemistry is not covered here.

1. Degrees and tracks

• Two undergraduate degrees: the department page says students who plan a career in the life sciences (including graduate school) generally work toward the Bachelor of Science in Biology, while students hoping to earn a teaching credential in biology work toward the Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences with a Biology Option; there is also a minor in Biology.
• BS in Biology: 120 units, of which 43 units satisfy the university’s General Education Program, 21 units are the biology core, and there are 21 units of biology electives and 30 units of required coursework in chemistry, mathematics and physics. Core: BIOL 1A, 1B, 101, 102, 103, 105, and 101L or 104. The 21 elective units must include at least 9 units of upper-division biology laboratory courses (9 lab units plus 12 other elective units, from course lists on the page). Required courses from other disciplines: chemistry CHEM 1A, 1B, either 8 or 128A, 129A, and either 150 or 155A (18 units); calculus MATH 70 or 75 (4 units); statistics MATH 101 or 102 (4 units); physics PHYS 2A (4 units). The page warns that entrance requirements for graduate and professional schools often exceed the minimum for the BS, particularly in chemistry, physics and mathematics, and advises students to meet an adviser at least once a semester.
• BA in Natural Sciences, Biology Option: the site says it establishes subject-matter competency approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing through coursework, which waives the CSET and streamlines entry to the Single Subject Teaching Credential program in Science; it is designed mainly for future middle and high school science teachers but also suits other science careers. Contact the college’s Advising and Resource Center (ARC, 559.278.4150).
• Minor in Biology: the 21-unit biology core (BIOL 1A, 1B, 1BL, 101, 102, 103, 105, and 101L or 104), with a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units in residence.
• Honors program: the department has an honors program for upper-division students that strengthens research: students apply in the fall semester when they have four semesters remaining (including that fall); the current deadline is 2 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time; students first identify a research mentor; the courses are BIOL 111H (experimental design and writing), 112H (science communication and leadership seminar) and 113H (honors colloquium), 1 unit each, and the BIOL 199H honors thesis, 3 units. Eligibility details such as a GPA threshold are not published on the pages read.
• BS in Biochemistry: offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, not Biology; the site says it is intended for students planning biochemical or chemistry research careers and suits students pursuing health professions. The university does not say whether it counts as the biology major discussed here — confirm with the advisors.
• Capstones and placement years: the honors thesis is noted above; research or internship requirements for other students are not published on the pages read.

2. How admission works

• You apply to the university, not the department — and biology is an impacted program: applications go through Cal State Apply. The Admissions list of impacted programs (stated to apply to the 2026–27 and 2027–28 academic years) shows Biology under the College of Science and Mathematics. The site says that for impacted programs meeting CSU minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission, non-local applicants need a higher threshold, and the GPA requirement is set only after the priority filing period (section 4). The selection-results sections for Spring and Fall 2027 say “Coming soon”; results for previous cycles are linked from that page. The page carrying the list is titled “Fall Transfer Selection” and does not distinguish freshmen from transfers — for freshman impaction, follow the link on the Admissions freshman page.
• Declaring the major and transferring in: not published on the pages read — ask the College of Science and Mathematics Advising and Resource Center (ARC, 559.278.4150) and the department office (559-278-2001).

3. Prerequisites and credit

• High school biology, chemistry, math: the department pages state no specific high school prerequisites; university-level a–g requirements are in section 4, including 3 years of mathematics (4 recommended) and 2 years of laboratory science (3 recommended; one biological and one physical). University-level math, chemistry and physics requirements are in section 1.
• AP/IB credit: the site says AP and IB scores can satisfy a–g requirements (section 4); credit toward university biology and chemistry courses is not published on the pages read.
• First-year common courses and labs: the biology core includes BIOL 1A, 1B and others, with lab courses described in section 1; entry conditions for each course are not published on the pages read.
• Competitions: the pages read do not say how science olympiads are viewed in admissions.

4. Timeline and materials (university level, for biology applicants)

• How and when to apply (Admissions freshman page): for first-time freshmen entering in Fall 2027, the page says applications may be started on 1 August 2026 but cannot be completed or submitted until 1 October, with a deadline of 15 January 2027; the application is submitted through Cal State Apply (stated on the international page). Spring 2027 is not open to freshmen. The domestic application fee is not stated on the pages read (the international page gives $70 — see section 6).
• Eligibility (freshman requirements page): a high school diploma or equivalent; the 15-unit “a–g” college-preparatory pattern (history and social science 2 years, English 4, mathematics 3 (4 recommended), laboratory science 2 (3 recommended; one biological and one physical), language other than English 2, visual and performing arts 1, and one elective), each with a C or higher; and an “a–g” GPA of 2.5 or above for California residents or California high school graduates and 3.0 or above for non-residents and out-of-state graduates, calculated on a–g courses after 9th grade with an extra point for approved honors, AP, IB or college courses. AP, IB and CLEP scores must be sent by the testing agency; scores listed on a transcript are not accepted for a–g.
• Testing: the freshman requirements page says Fresno State uses a Multi-Factor Admissions Score (MFAS) and that SAT and ACT scores are no longer used or considered for admission eligibility or in the MFAS; eligibility is determined from self-reported information in Cal State Apply. For applicants just below the GPA line, the page says up to eight additional a–g courses above the 30-semester minimum are considered, and graduates of high schools in the local area receive 100 additional “Local Advantage” points.
• Recommendations and essay: the freshman pages do not say domestic applicants need recommendation letters or a personal statement; the international page calls a personal statement (statement of purpose) “encouraged but not required” — see section 6.
• Impacted majors: the site says some programs are “impacted”, meaning that meeting CSU minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission, non-local applicants need a higher threshold, and the GPA requirement is set only after the priority filing period according to the number of applications, competitiveness and available spaces; other programs admit students who meet the CSU minimum. The freshman requirements page says this applies to “certain majors”, while the transfer requirements page says admission is competitive “in all majors” — the site is not consistent.
• Entry requirement: all new students must submit proof of immunizations under CSU Executive Order 803.

5. US domestic applicants

• California residents and out-of-state students: an a–g GPA of 2.5 for California residents or graduates and 3.0 for non-residents meets the eligibility line (section 4); meeting it does not guarantee admission, and impacted programs have a higher threshold.
• Tuition (tuition and fees table, Fall 2026): for full-time undergraduates (6.1+ units) the mandatory fees and tuition total $4,317.50 per semester (including a tuition fee of $3,419.00 plus health services, student body, union, instructionally related activities and other fees); part-time (0–6 units) is $2,879.50. The table adds that from Fall 2026 out-of-state, non-resident and international students pay a Non-Resident Tuition Fee of $471.00 per unit on top of these amounts. Check the latest table; this guide does not add the items up.
• Scholarships and aid: the biology department page points to the University Scholarship Office for online applications and deadlines and says it is worth applying even after the posted deadline because many funds go unused for lack of qualified applicants. Rules for the FAFSA or California aid are not stated on the pages read — check the university’s financial aid and scholarships office.

6. International applicants

• Application and deadlines (International Office undergraduate page; no year is printed — check that it is for 2027 entry): Fall — applicants outside the US: opens 1 August, deadline 1 July; applicants in the US: opens and closes 1 August; Spring — all students: opens 1 July, closes 1 November. An international student is someone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident and holds or intends to hold F-1 or J-1 status. Apply through Cal State Apply with a $70 non-refundable fee, or use the paper application.
• Documents: official English proficiency scores (institution code 4312); transcripts, mark sheets or grade reports with a literal English translation; a copy of the graduation certificate or diploma; the passport photo page; a personal statement (statement of purpose; a recommendation from a principal or teacher is “encouraged but not required”); and financial documents no older than six months with an affidavit of support covering at least one school year (these last two can be submitted after acceptance). SAT/ACT scores are not listed as admission documents, but see the English options below.
• English requirements: any one of the following — the new TOEFL iBT (from 21 January 2026) 3.5, or the earlier TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 6.0 (or 5.5 in each section), Duolingo 100, SAT Reading and Writing 550, ACT English 22, AP English Language or Literature 3+, GTEC 1095, PTE 45, iTEP 3.6, IB English A HL 4 and others, as well as completing the university’s American English Institute advanced level or listed language-center levels. Exemptions: three or more years in US high schools, or three years of full-time study in the listed English-medium countries or regions (Australia, Canada (Quebec needs a demonstration), Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and others).
• Estimated yearly costs (International Office fees page): undergraduate (12 units per semester), 2026–27 — tuition and fees $19,921, food and housing $11,634, books and insurance $2,879, printed total $34,434; 2027–28 — tuition and fees $20,979, food and housing $11,634, books and insurance $2,978, printed total $35,591. Dependents (spouse and children only) need an additional $12,000 per year of financial proof. International students must buy the university’s pre-approved UnitedHealthcare policy (sponsored students excepted, though they should still buy travel insurance).
• Scholarships: the International Office pages do not describe scholarships for international freshmen; not published on the pages read — ask the International Office.

7. Chinese applicants

• Gaokao and Chinese high school records: the pages read do not say whether the gaokao is considered or how it would be used, and give no China-specific guidance on the Chinese school system — not published; ask the International Office (the email listed on its pages is intladmissions@csufresno.edu).
• General requirements that apply: Chinese applicants follow the international route — Cal State Apply, the $70 fee, a high school transcript and graduation certificate with English translation, English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and others, or SAT Reading and Writing 550 or ACT English 22), a passport copy and financial documents. Because the university does not use the SAT or ACT to decide eligibility (section 4), these tests matter to Chinese applicants mainly as one way to show English.
• AP/IB credit: the site says AP and IB scores can be used to satisfy a–g subject requirements; credit for university courses is not published on the pages read.

8. Transfer students

• Timeline (Admissions transfer page): for Fall 2027, applications may be started from 1 August and submitted from 1 October, with a deadline of 15 January 2027; Spring 2027 closed on 31 August 2026. All students must meet admission requirements by the end of Spring 2027; courses still in progress in summer 2027 do not count.
• Lower-division transfer (1–59 units): a–g high school courses, a diploma or GED, the freshman eligibility index, an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 (which may not be enough for high-demand majors and campuses), good standing at the last institution, and a C- or better in the foundation courses in written communication (A2/1A) and mathematics or quantitative reasoning (B4/2).
• Upper-division transfer (60+ units): at least 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units), an overall GPA of at least 2.00, good standing, and 30 semester units of general education including the four “Golden 4” foundation courses (oral communication, written composition, critical thinking, mathematics or quantitative reasoning), each with a C- or better. The page says no college freshmen or sophomores and no second-bachelor’s-degree applicants (except nursing) are admitted.
• Transfer Success Pathway: the site says it guarantees admission to a student’s major at the CSU campus of their choice; its conditions are not described on the pages read — see the website.
• International transfers: documents are similar to the freshman route (translated transcripts, financial documents, passport), and lower-division transfers (1–59 units) also submit a high school transcript and graduation certificate; the page says GPA varies by major and prerequisite courses are required for some majors. Deadlines are those in the international table in section 6.
• Transfer prerequisites and GPA thresholds for biology are not published on the pages read — ask the College of Science and Mathematics Advising and Resource Center (ARC, 559.278.4150).

9. Scholarships, research and outcomes

• Scholarships: the department page points to the University Scholarship Office for online applications and deadlines (section 5); scholarships specific to the department are not published on the pages read.
• Research and activities: the department home page says faculty research covers molecular mechanisms of cellular processes, microorganisms and disease, computational biology, science communication, the ecology of Sierra Nevada forests and watersheds, and evolution through molecular adaptation; the department also has seminars, alumni and facilities pages. How undergraduate research is applied for and credited is not published on the pages read.
• Outcomes: the site prints no employment or placement statistics; the college page says only that the department’s two degrees lead to careers in the life sciences (including graduate school) and a teaching credential.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Cal State Apply; Fall 2027 deadline 15 January 2027; a–g courses with C or better; a–g GPA 2.5 (California residents) or 3.0 (out-of-state), with a higher threshold for impacted biology; SAT/ACT not used

International applicants (including China):

• Cal State Apply and $70 fee; translated transcripts and diploma; English proficiency (new TOEFL iBT 3.5, earlier iBT 61, IELTS 6.0 and others); passport; financial documents and affidavit; personal statement; Fall deadline for applicants outside the US 1 July (check the year)
• How the gaokao is used is not published; ask the International Office

After entry:

• The BS core, lab and other-discipline requirements are in section 1; the honors program deadline for the current cycle is 2 December 2026

Transfer students:

• Upper-division transfer 60+ units, GPA 2.00, Golden 4 foundation courses with C- or better; biology is impacted so the threshold is higher; Fall 2027 deadline 15 January 2027

Sources: California State University, Fresno, Department of Biology; Undergraduate programs; Biology Honors Program; Biology scholarships; College undergraduate degrees; B.S. Biochemistry (Chemistry department); Freshman application and deadlines; Freshman requirements; Impaction and selection; Transfer application and deadlines; Transfer requirements; International undergraduate admission; International transfer admission; International estimated yearly costs; Tuition and fees. This is for the 2027 entry cycle. Where a page prints no year (for example the international deadlines), check that a date is for 2027 entry; the fee table shows Fall 2026 figures, while the international cost page also gives 2027–28 estimates. Check Fresno State’s website for the latest.