The official FUSD catalog course description can be found in this PDF file. Biology is a standards-based course that (unlike many science courses) satisfies
UC admission requirements if passed with a grade of 'C' or higher. AP Biology meets the same requirement, but allows the student to earn college credit by examination while augmenting high school GPA. It is also significantly more challenging, and is best tackled after earning an above-average grade in one of the four basic UC-approved courses (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics). In particular, freshmen should be discouraged from attempting AP coursework. Freshmen who are academically well-prepared with a past history of achievement should be instead encouraged to take GATE Biology. |