Program Overview

Biological Sciences, B.S.

The Biological Sciences major presents a unified, in-depth study of modern biology. The Biological Sciences Core is a five-quarter series of courses ranging from ecology and evolutionary biology, to genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Important laboratory techniques and methodology are presented in upper-division laboratories. Advanced elective courses provide an opportunity to continue to diversify students exposure to the biological sciences or to gain a much more in-depth study of a particular area of the biological sciences.

Admission

• Freshmen: Preference will be given to those who rank the highest using the selection criteria as stated in the Undergraduate Admissions section.
• Transfer students: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission.
  • All applicants must complete one year of general chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better.
  • One year of organic chemistry with laboratory with grades of C or better.
  • One year of biology courses equivalent to BIO SCI 93, BIO SCI 94 at UCI with a grade of C or better in each course.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Requirements

• All students must meet the University Requirements.
• All students must meet the School Requirements.

Major Requirements

• A. Required Major Courses:
  • Select three of the following:
    • BIO SCI D103 | Cell Biology
    • BIO SCI D104 | Developmental Biology
    • BIO SCI E106 | Processes in Ecology and Evolution
    • BIO SCI E109 | Human Physiology
    • BIO SCI N110 | Neurobiology and Behavior
• B. Upper-Division Laboratories:
  • Select two of the following:
    • BIO SCI D111L | Developmental and Cell Biology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI E106L | Habitats and Organisms
    • BIO SCI E112L | Physiology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI E115L | Evolution Laboratory
    • BIO SCI E131L | Image Analysis in Biological Research
    • BIO SCI E140L | Evolution and the Environment Laboratory
    • BIO SCI E166L | Field Biology
    • BIO SCI E179L | Field Freshwater Ecology
    • BIO SCI E186L | Population and Community Ecology Lab
    • BIO SCI M114L | Biochemistry Laboratory
    • BIO SCI M116L | Molecular Biology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI M118L | Experimental Microbiology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI M121L | Advanced Immunology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI N113L | Neurobiology Laboratory
    • BIO SCI N123L | Human Neuroimaging Lab
  • One laboratory can be satisfied with completion of Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences.
• C. Upper-Division Biology Electives:
  • Select four upper-division, four-unit courses from the following:
    • BIO SCI D103D190, E106E190, M114M190, N110N190 (excluding BIO SCI N120A-BIO SCI N120B-BIO SCI N120C)
    • CHEM 132A | Chemical Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Dynamics
    • CHEM 132B | Quantum Principles, Spectroscopy, and Bonding
    • CHEM 132C | Molecular Structure and Elementary Statistical Mechanics
    • PHRMSCI 170A | Molecular Pharmacology I
    • PHRMSCI 170B | Molecular Pharmacology II
    • PHRMSCI 171 | Physical Biochemistry
    • PHRMSCI 173 | Pharmacotherapy
    • PHRMSCI 174 | Biopharmaceutics and Nanomedicine
    • PHRMSCI 177 | Medicinal Chemistry
  • Psychology/Biological Sciences double majors may use PSYCH 112A-PSYCH 112C to partially satisfy the Upper-Division Biology Elective Requirement.

Planning a Program of Study

Since biological sciences courses are built upon a base of the physical sciences, it is very important for students to take their required physical sciences early, particularly general and organic chemistry. Students who have not completed high school chemistry are well advised to complete a preparatory chemistry course before entering UCI.

Sample Program Biological Sciences

Freshman

• Fall: BIO SCI 90L, CHEM 1A, BIO SCI 2A, General Education
• Winter: BIO SCI 94, CHEM 1B, Lower-Division Writing, General Education
• Spring: CHEM 1C, STATS 7 or 8 (or Math 5A or General Education), Lower-Division Writing, General Education

Sophomore

• Fall: BIO SCI 97, CHEM 51A, CHEM 1LD, MATH 5A or 5B
• Winter: BIO SCI 98, CHEM 51B, CHEM 51LB
• Spring: BIO SCI 99, CHEM 51C, CHEM 51LC, General Education

Junior

• Fall: Required Major course, PHYSICS 3A, PHYSICS 3LB, Elective/Research, BIO SCI 100
• Winter: Required Major course, PHYSICS 3B, PHYSICS 3LC, Elective/Research
• Spring: Required Major course, Bio. Sci. elective, Elective/Research

Senior

• Fall: Bio. Sci. elective, Bio. Sci. U-D Lab, Elective, Research
• Winter: Bio. Sci. elective, Bio. Sci. U-D Lab, Research, Electives
• Spring: Bio. Sci. elective, Bio. Sci. U-D Lab (optional), Research, Electives