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Biological Sciences Undergraduate Program
387 Thimann Laboratories
UC Santa Cruz,
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: 831.459.4143
Fax: 831.459.1568
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GETTING STARTED: BioPlacement Exam

Optional Self-Assessment Exam & Self Assessment Exam Key :

The BioPlacement Exam is no longer required to enroll in Biology courses.

Biol 3 is no longer a prerequisite for the Biology 20 series, it is now an optional preparatory course for the Biology 20 series.

Bio 3 is a good course for you to enroll in if you did not have a solid high school biology experience and/or your score on the optional self-assessment exam indicates that Biol 3 is most appropriate for you (see the bottom of this page for interpretation of score). Biol 3 is also a good course if you are considering a Biological Sciences major but would first like a survey course to determine if the Biological Science majors are right for you.

Students can begin the Biology 20 series with either BioL 20A (which has Chem 1B as a prerequisite) or 20C.

The prerequisites for the Biology 20 series are:
Biol 20A : chem 1B (you may not take Chem 1B and Biol 20A concurrently)
Biol 20B : Biol 20A
Biol 20C : no prerequisite

There is now an optional self-assessment exam to help you determine if you should consider enrolling in Biol 3 (Concepts in Biology) or are prepared to begin the Biology 20 series.

Note for students who are currently enrolled in Biol 3 for Winter '08:

You can stay enrolled in Biol 3 for the Winter '08 quarter or if you feel that your placement into Biol 3 was not reflective of your level of preparation for the Biology 20 series, you have the option to change your enrollment into the Biology 20 series.

Interpreting the Self-Assessment Exam Score:

There are 50 questions on the exam. Each question is worth 2 points. After completing the exam, check your answers with the key and count the number of correct answers. Double that to get your exam score.

If you score:

70% or above > enrollment in BIOL 20A Cell & Molecular Biology* or BIOL 20C Ecology & Evolution** is recommended.

*BIOL 20A also has a prerequisite of Chem 1B. Students will not be able to enroll in BIOL 20A and Chem 1B concurrently.
**BIOL 20C is not required for all majors, check your degree requirements before enrolling.

60-70% you have borderline preparation for the Biology 20 series. Please consider your science background. If you have received B grades in previously taken college-level science courses, you are most likely ready to move on to the 20 series. If not, you should consider taking Biol 3 to get a more solid foundation in the Biological Sciences before moving on.

Below 60% you should enroll in BIOL 3 Concepts in Biology in the next winter quarter.

Please be aware that the Biological Sciences have a very strict disqualification policy which is important for you to review before taking any of the introductory courses.

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