Program Overview

Introduction to the B.S. in Physiological Science Program

The B.S. in Physiological Science program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the physiological processes that underlie human function and disease. The program is offered by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and is tailored to meet the needs of students who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of physiological science.

Preparation for the Major

To enter the Physiological Science major, students must complete a series of preparatory courses, including:

• Chemistry 14A, 14B, and 14C or 20A, 20B, and 30A
• Life Sciences 7A, 7B, 7C
• Mathematics 3A, 3B, and 3C or 31A, 31B, and 32A or Life Sciences 30A, 30B
• Physics 1A or 5A Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in each course and a grade point average of 2.5 or better in all preparation courses before fall quarter of their third year.

Required Courses

The B.S. in Physiological Science program requires the completion of the following courses:

• Life Science 7A, 7B, 7C, and 23L
• Chemistry 14A, 14B, 14BL, 14C, 14CL, 14D or Chemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30A, 30B, 30BL
• LS 30A, 30B, LS40 or Stats 13, or Math 3A, 3B, 3C or Math 31A, 31B, 32A
• Physics 5A, 5B, 5C or 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL
• Physiological Science 107
• Physiological Science 111A
• Physiological Science 111B
• Physiological Science 111L
• Chemistry 153A Biochemistry
• Five upper division physiological science electives

Physiological Science Electives

Students can choose from a range of physiological science electives, including:

• Phy Sci M106 Neurobiology of Bias and Discrimination (4)
• Phy Sci 108 Head and Neck Anatomy (4)
• Phy Sci 120 Kidney: Development (4)
• Phy Sci 121 Disease Mechanisms and Therapies (5)
• Phy Sci 122 Biomed Tech and Physiology (4)
• Phy Sci CM123 Neurobiology of Sleep (4)
• Phy Sci 124 Molecular Biology of Aging (4)
• Phy Sci 125 Molecular Systems Biology (5)
• Phy Sci C126 Biological Clocks (4)
• Phy Sci C127 Neuroendocrin. of Reproduction (4)
• Phy Sci 128 Me, Myself & Microbes: The Microbiome in Health & Disease (5)
• Phy Sci C130 Sex Differences in Physiology and Disease (4)
• Phy Sci 135 Systems Modeling of Physio. Proc (5)
• Phy Sci 136 Exercise & Cardiovascular Function (5)
• Phy Sci 138 Neuromuscular Phys. & Adaptation (4)
• Phy Sci M140 Hormones & Behavior (4)
• Phy Sci C144 Neural Control of Phys. Systems (4)
• Phy Sci M145 Neural Mech. Control. Movement (5)
• Phy Sci 146 Prin. Of Nervous System Dev. (5)
• Phy Sci 147 Neurobio of Learning & Memory (5)
• Phy Sci 149 Human Metabolic Diseases (4)
• Phy Sci C152 Musc. Anat., Phys., Biomech (5)
• Phy Sci 153 Dissection Anatomy (5)
• Phy Sci 155 Dev., Structure of Musc. Sys. (4)
• Phy Sci 156 Mol Mech & Ther Musc Dystrophy (4)
• Phy Sci 165 Comparative Animal Physiology (5)
• Phy Sci 167 Physiology of Nutrition (4)
• Phy Sci 173 Anat., Phys. of Sense Organs (4)
• Phy Sci 174 Cell Biophysics (5)
• Phy Sci 175 Biological Evolution of Language (5)
• Phy Sci 177 Neuroethology (5)
• Phy Sci 178 Quantitative Regulatory Biology and Signal Transduction (4)
• Phy Sci M180B M180C Neuroscience (5)

Research Requirements

Students in the departmental honors program may apply eight units of research course 199 or four units each (total eight units) of 198A and 198B toward the elective requirement. One graduate course at the 200 level may be applied toward the elective requirement with departmental approval.

Grading Requirements

Each required and elective course must be taken for a letter grade, and a C average must be maintained in all upper division courses taken for the major. Additionally, a grade of C or better in each of the core courses (Physiological Science 107, 111A, 111B) is required to enroll in the next course in the series.

Degree Requirements

A total of 180 quarter units are required for the degree; 60 of these 180 units must be upper division (course numbers 100-199). The Phy Sci major upper division requirements satisfy between 44 – 49 upper division units.

Planning Your Four-Year Path to Degree

Students are recommended to see their Undergraduate Academic Advisor early to plan their four-year path to degree. The sample curriculum options provided do not take into account upper division major requirements, minor, or double major program requirements. They do also not reflect opportunities for students to complete other university requirements, including General Education, Diversity, and the 60 upper division graduation requirement.