UC San Diego General Catalog: 2007-2008

UC San Diego

Biological Sciences, Division of

[ Major] [ Minor] [ Doctoral program] [ Professors] [ Courses]

STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE
1128 Pacific Hall
(858) 534-0557
For undergraduate questions, e-mail: question@biology.ucsd.edu

FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
1610 Urey Hall, Revelle College

http://www-biology.ucsd.edu/

Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress

Freshmen

Entering students who have indicated the desire to major in biology (with the exception of bioinformatics) will be admitted directly to the biology major of their choice. To remain in good standing the student must complete a minimum of eight of the following courses (or equivalent) during their first five quarters at UCSD:

BILD 1, BILD 2, BILD 3
Chemistry 6A-B-C
Math 10A-20A, 10B-20B, 10C-11-20C
Physics 1A-2A, 1B-2B, 1C-2C
Chemistry 140A-141A, 140B-141B
BICD 100
BIBC 103

A student’s best six grades from the eight courses listed will be used to calculate a GPA which must be at least a 2.5. If a student fails to complete the required courses, or to obtain the required minimum GPA, they will be dismissed from the biology major. (Note: These are the minimal requirements to remain in the major, and do not satisfy all of the lower division requirements of any biology major. Please consult the section regarding your particular major to ensure that you satisfy all lower-division and upper-division requirements.)

Continuing Students

Continuing UCSD students who wish to transfer into the major will be evaluated under the rules that were in effect the year in which they entered the university.

Transfer Students

Entering students who have indicated the desire to major in biology (with the exception of bioinformatics) will be admitted directly to the biology major of their choice. To remain in good standing the student must have completed eight of the following courses, or course equivalency, prior to transfer to UCSD:

BILD 1, BILD 2, BILD 3
Chemistry 6A-B-C
Math 10A-20A, 10B-20B, 10C-11-20C
Physics 1A-2A, 1B-2B, 1C-2C
Chemistry 140A-141A, 140B-141B
BICD 100
BIBC 103

A student’s best six grades from the eight courses listed will be used to calculate a GPA which must be at least a 2.5. If a student fails to complete the required courses, or to obtain the required minimum GPA, they will be dismissed from the biology major. Transfer students who do not meet these requirements prior to transfer will be allowed a maximum of three quarters to satisfy any unmet requirements. Transfer students are therefore strongly encouraged to complete these requirements at their community college. (Note: These are the minimal requirements to remain in the major, and do not satisfy all of the lower division requirements of any biology major. Please consult the section regarding your particular major to ensure that you satisfy all lower-division and upper-division requirements.)

Exceptions

The division will accept petitions from students to remain in the major with less than the required GPA or course work, and the success of such petitions will be evaluated based upon academic promise that is not reflected in the GPA. Exceptions might also be made to accommodate students who showed exceptional promise in laboratory experimentation, or students who had overcome extraordinary hardship while taking the required courses.

Division of Biological Sciences Laboratory Requirement

Freshmen

The Division of Biological Sciences requires students in all biology majors, with the exception of bioinformatics, to take one biology lab before the end of the sophomore year.

Continuing Students

Continuing UCSD students who wish to transfer into the major will be evaluated under the rules that were in effect the year in which they entered the university.

Transfer Students

The Division of Biological Sciences requires students in all biology majors, with the exception of bioinformatics, to take one biology lab before the end of the sophomore year. Transfer students may petition to have community college course work cover the lab requirement. Transfer students whose community college laboratory course is determined to be equivalent in content to an existing biology lab will have completed the requirement upon transfer. Transfer students are therefore strongly encouraged to complete this requirement at their community college. Transfer students who do not meet this requirement at the time of transfer may petition the division for an extension.

Division of Biological Sciences Residency Requirement

To receive a bachelor of science degree in biology from UCSD, all biology majors, including transfer students, must complete at least forty-eight or more units of upper-division course work within the major.

To receive a bachelor of science degree in biology from UCSD, all students must complete at least nine upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) in the Division of Biological Sciences while officially enrolled at UCSD. Students participating in the Education Abroad Program (EAP), and courses at other UC campuses, may petition up to three of these courses to count toward their residency minima. Biology courses completed through the UC Extension program (concurrent enrollment) will not be counted toward this residency requirement.

Satisfactory Progress

All students admitted into a biology major must maintain satisfactory progress in order to remain in a biology program. If the GPA in biology courses for such a student falls below 2.0, he or she will be placed on probation during the quarter after the average fell below the line. If the GPA is not brought above the 2.0 level during the quarter on probation, the student will be dropped from the major.

Prerequisites

All students are expected to have completed all prerequisites prior to enrolling in any biology course. Please visit the biology student affairs office or consult our web page for the most current information. Prerequisites are enforced in all courses and must be taken for a letter grade. Students who have satisfied the prerequisites of a class at another college may need to be pre-authorized to enroll. Please come to the biology student affairs office (1128 Pacific Hall) BEFORE your priority enrollment to be pre-authorized.

Concurrent Enrollment in Biology Courses

For more information on concurrent enrollment, please call (858) 534-3400 or e-mail concurrent@ucsd.edu.

Enrollment process for biology courses:

Note: Students enrolling in a biology course will not incur a $50 late fee if enrolling during the third week.

Readmission to a Biology Major

Students who were absent for six quarters or more, and who have been readmitted to UCSD, must adhere to the major requirements in effect at the time of readmission or those subsequently established.

Readmitted students may petition to follow the major requirements in effect at the time they left UCSD. These petitions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Grade Requirements for the Majors

The minimum GPA requirement (for both the major and overall UC) for graduation is 2.0. D grades in courses required for the major are acceptable, providing that the student’s major GPA and overall UC GPA is at least 2.0. Students who received D and/or F grades should contact one of the Division of Biological Sciences undergraduate advisors to determine the effect of such grades on their GPAs. The biology major GPA calculation is based on upper-division courses required for the major. (Upper-division courses from other UCs, other UCSD departments, and EAP which have been approved via petition to count toward the major are counted into the major GPA. Other transfer courses do not count toward the UC or major GPA.) All courses, required for any of the eight majors, must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of BISP 195, 196, 197, and 199.

Students with Transfer Credit

All courses (including prerequisites) taken at other institutions must be reviewed by the Division of Biological Sciences before they can be applied toward any major requirement. Students must obtain approval from the Biology Student Affairs office prior to taking courses outside of UCSD (for example, students wishing to take a Chem. 6BL equivalent at another institution must consult with Biology Student Affairs before enrolling in the substitute course). In addition, any student wishing to satisfy a major requirement with upper-division transfer work (with the exception of organic chemistry) must first submit an Undergraduate Student Petition. Contact Biology Student Affairs (1128 Pacific Hall) for specific information regarding transfer documentation and petition procedures.

The Division of Biological Sciences requires that students take the full content equivalencies to UCSD series in math, chemistry, and physics. The Division of Biological Sciences will follow the respective department’s recommendations for equivalency. In some cases, attaining full content equivalency will require a student to complete more than two semesters in a subject. If the courses a student took do not provide full content equivalency, s/he will be required to complete the lacking material at UCSD or at a community college where the material is equivalent.

Programs Abroad

The Division of Biological Sciences strongly encourages students to participate in the Education Abroad Program (EAP) or the UCSD Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). It is very important that students who plan to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (including the Costa Rica Tropical Ecology program) or the UCSD Opportunities Abroad Program obtain the name of a faculty advisor from the Biology Student Affairs Office in order to discuss the proposed program of study. For most EAP programs, it is strongly recommended that biology majors complete biochemistry (BIBC 100 or 102) and genetics (BICD 100) and their prerequisites before going abroad. For more information, please visit http://programsabroad.ucsd.edu.

Special Studies Courses

For information on requirements and application procedures for special studies courses, students should go to the Biology Student Affairs Office (1128 Pacific Hall) or visit the Web site at http://biology.ucsd.edu/undergrad/BISP_info.html.

How to apply special studies courses toward your biology major:

Note: Students who are approved to use a BISP 196 or 199 to satisfy a lab requirement cannot also use BISP 196, 197, or 199 to satisfy an upper-division elective requirement.

BISP 194—Advanced Topics in Modern Biology

Advanced Topics in Modern Biology is a two-unit topics course taught at a high level and open to upper-division students only. The course content will vary. Students should consult the quarterly Schedule of Classes for topics and descriptions.

BISP 195—Introduction to Teaching in Biology

Being a teaching assistant is an important task and can provide students with experience and faculty contact which can be valuable when applying for graduate school. Students who are interested in being an undergraduate tutor should have received a strong grade in the course which they want to teach, have an overall GPA of at least 3.0, and have taken at least ninety total units. Students should apply very early in the quarter prior to the quarter they wish to teach. Applications will be accepted beginning the second week of the quarter prior to the quarter in which the student wishes to teach. All undergraduate tutor applications are online and may be accessed through the biology Web site, http://www.biology.ucsd.edu/undergrad/index.html.

BISP 196—Honors Thesis in Biological Sciences

Students in any one of the eight biology major programs who have a 3.7 grade-point average or above in upper-division science courses, the biology major, and overall UC at the end of their junior year are eligible to undertake the honors thesis. This program covers the senior year of undergraduate study and involves a maximum of twelve units of senior thesis research (BISP 196) taken in addition to the major requirements for graduation. (Four units of senior thesis research BISP 196 are to be taken during three consecutive quarters.) Research is conducted under the supervision of a faculty member of the Division of Biological Sciences only and cannot be performed in the research labs of other departments such as the School of Medicine, SIO, etc. If there are any questions as to which faculty members are eligible, students should consult with Biology Student Affairs. The research will culminate in a senior thesis and an oral report (see below). Students who complete the program satisfactorily will have “Distinction in Biology” recorded on their transcript. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress will be advised to withdraw from the program. Students may also withdraw voluntarily from the program. Grades for BISP 196 are P or NP only.

Application to the Honors Thesis Program

  1. Students interested in the program who are eligible as of spring quarter of their junior year (the fourth quarter prior to graduation) need to find a Division of Biological Sciences faculty member willing to act in the capacity of thesis advisor and inform the Biology Student Affairs Office of their intent.
  2. After an advisor is selected, the student and the advisor should complete the Special Studies application form and research plan (available on the biology Web site).
  3. The application form and research plan should then be submitted to the Biology Student Affairs Office. The deadline for submitting this form is the end of the eighth week of the quarter prior to the quarter the research will begin.
  4. The application will be submitted to the honors thesis coordinator after eligibility has been determined.
  5. If the student is approved for admission to the program, he or she will then be authorized to register for BISP 196.

Entry into the second and third quarter of the program will require submission to the honors thesis advisor of a written report in which the student summarizes the data obtained in the previous quarters. A brief oral interview with the student on this report can also be expected. If the progress made appears reasonable for an honors student, then the 196 petition will be signed. If not, the student may be dropped from the program. Completion of the program will require a final written report by the student at the end of the third quarter in addition to an oral presentation in the middle of the quarter to a suitable group of faculty and students, including the honors thesis advisor.

BISP 197—Biology Internship Program

The Division of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with local biotech industries, created Biotechnology Internship Opportunities (BIO). The mission of BIO is to provide biology majors with an opportunity to participate in research in an industrial setting. We believe that working as an intern in the private sector will enrich a student’s educational experience. Students will gain valuable insight into the relationship between theory and practice, and hence, a better understanding of the relevance of course work in their major. Most importantly, students will learn the importance of outstanding oral and written communication skills. This course may be counted as one of the upper-division electives for a biology major, providing that no other special studies courses have already been counted toward the major. Information on BIO may be accessed through the undergraduate biology Web site, http://biointern.ucsd.edu.

To enroll in BISP 197, students must have accrued at least ninety-quarter units with an overall UC GPA of at least 3.0.

There will be one weekly scheduled meeting lasting up to 1.5 hours. Attendance and participation at these meetings are mandatory and will affect the grade a student receives. There will be three formal oral and three written presentations, interspersed with informal discussions of progress achieved. All written reports must be done with the input of the industry and must have that mentor’s signature. Grading will be based on the formal and informal written and oral presentations, as well as input from the industry mentor.

BISP 199—Individual Research for Undergraduates

Individual Research BISP 199 is intended to provide interested and qualified biology students with an opportunity to work closely with faculty and professionals in their chosen field and can be a valuable contribution to the student’s preparation for graduate school or career goals. To enroll in BISP 199, students must have accrued at least ninety quarter-units with an overall UC GPA of at least 3.0. Students may select for their instructor any professor at UCSD, but the BISP 199 application must be submitted for approval to the Division of Biological Sciences. The deadline to apply for BISP 199 is the eighth week of the quarter prior to the quarter in which the research will begin.

AIP 197—Academic Internship Program

Because the undergraduate research conducted through the Academic Internship Program is generally done at a site not affiliated with the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences, students who wish to request that an AIP 197 course be counted toward their major must submit an Undergraduate Petition for their request. Biology faculty will review the student’s research and ascertain the project’s compatibility with the student’s academic goals and major requirements. Please be advised that an AIP 197 may not be approved toward major requirements. If an AIP 197 course is approved for the student’s major, no other special studies course (BISP 196, 197, or 199) can be used toward the major. For further information, please see http://aip.ucsd.edu.

Major Programs in Biological Sciences

For more information, please see biology’s Web page, http://www-biology.ucsd.edu/.

The UCSD Division of Biological Sciences is structured around the different levels of biological organization—biochemical, cellular, physiological, and ecological. The research and teaching of the division emphasize the fundamentally important processes that occur at each of these levels. With a solid foundation in these processes future training and study in any area of biology is possible, from plant breeding to genetic counseling, from medical microbiology to ecological epidemiology, from veterinary science to cancer research. The UCSD campus is situated among some of the finest research institutions in the world. The Division of Biological Sciences is fortunate in having close ties with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Salk Institute of Biological Studies, and the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, all of which open interesting avenues for motivated students.

The division offers eight different major programs, each of which provides an excellent background for future graduate or professional study. They are (1) biochemistry and cell biology, (2) biology with a specialization in bioinformatics, (3) ecology, behavior, and evolution, (4) general biology, (5) human biology, (6) microbiology, (7) molecular biology, and (8) physiology and neuroscience. The requirements of each of the majors are designed to meet the needs of a different group of students. These requirements are quite concordant, reflecting the division’s philosophy that familiarity with certain basic aspects of the subject is fundamental to all specialized understanding. Bachelor of science degrees granted in each of these majors will be so designated.

The Student Affairs Office (1128 Pacific Hall) administers the undergraduate biology program for all six colleges. For complete details regarding policies and procedures pertaining to the biology programs, please contact Biology Student Affairs.

Biochemistry and Cell Biology Major

Please refer to the “Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress” notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

This major is designed to provide students with the fundamental courses required for entry into a school of medicine or into postgraduate training in a wide variety of areas of biological and biomedical sciences: biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology, virology, human biology (physiology, metabolism, genetic disorders), cancer biology, pharmacology, and others. The emphasis is on basic principles which help us understand those processes unique to living organisms at the molecular level.

The program includes two required upper- division biology laboratory courses to provide practical experience with modern techniques and useful technology for those seeking positions as lab technicians in clinical and basic research laboratories. The opportunity to select four elective courses allows students either to seek a still broader background in a variety of biology courses or to begin specialization in a chosen field of study.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1 and 3 (Note: BILD 2 is not required, but is a prerequisite for many upper-division courses.)
Chemistry 6A-B-C and 6BL
Mathematics 10A-B, and 11 or 10C or 20A-B-C
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or 2A-B-C, and one lab

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A and 140B or 141A and 141B)
  2. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 143A) or Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 105A)
  3. Structural Biochemistry (BIBC 100) or Physical Biochemistry (BIBC 110) or Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 126)
  4. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  5. Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
  6. Genetics (BICD 100)
  7. Cell Biology (BICD 110)
  8. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  9. Capstone Course: (one of the following seven courses) BIBC 104 (Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Plants), BIBC 110 (Physical Biochemistry), BIBC 120 (Nutrition), BIBC 130 (Marine Biochemistry), BICD 118 (Pathways of Intracellular Protein Trafficking and Compartmentation), BIMM 118 (Pharmacology), BIMM 130 (Microbial Biochemistry)
  10. One upper-division biology lab to be chosen from the following: BIBC 105, BICD 101, 111, 123, 131, 133, 145, BIMM 101, 103, 121, 127, 141, BIPN 105, 145, or Chemistry 143C.
  11. Four additional upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) taken through the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences are required.
    Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

The following courses offered by the Depart-ment of Chemistry and Biochemistry are recommended as electives for the biochemistry and cell biology major: Chemistry 115, 116, 122, 124, 126, 127. Please note that these courses will not count towards the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement and must be petitioned to apply towards major requirements.

Bioinformatics Specialization in the Division of Biological Sciences

This major offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary training in the new and rapidly-evolving field of bioinformatics within the Division of Biological Sciences. Bioinformatics refers to advanced computational and experimental methods that model the flow of information (genetic, metabolic, and regulatory) in living systems to provide an integrated understanding of the systems properties of model organisms. For a detailed understanding of the large amount of qualitative and quantitative data that is currently accruing, the bioinformatician of the future must have a substantial mastery in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer sciences. This interdisciplinary specialization will be offered by three other departments (computer science and engineering, chemistry, and bioengineering), each with their own set of requirements and electives. The program offered by the Division of Biological Sciences is aimed at a student interested in applying, and to some extent developing, tools of bioinformatics for the study of biological systems. Students will receive a B.S. degree in Biology with a Specialization in Bioinformatics. This degree will prepare students for graduate studies in biological and biomedical sciences, or provide excellent opportunities in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and bioinformatics industries.

Admission

Because the number of pre-majors and majors will be limited as described in the section on bioinformatics, student demand may exceed capacity. Therefore, admission to the specialization is not guaranteed and will be based on academic excellence, as described below. Since bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary major, a steering committee involving faculty from the participating departments will select among the best candidates applying and recommended through each department, while insuring active participation of the departments and divisions offering the major.

Freshmen

Entering freshmen will go through a two-stage process to be admitted to a bioinformatics program. Students should enter the division as a declared major in some subdiscipline offered by the division (e.g., molecular biology, general biology, etc.) Freshmen can choose to apply for a bioinformatics pre-major after completing the following courses by the end of their first year. Admission will be based primarily on the GPA in the following courses, but also on a written statement, completion of the other listed requirements and overall academic excellence:

BILD 1
Chemistry 6A
Math 20B
Math 20C

Pre-bioinformatics majors can then choose to apply for admission to the bioinformatics major after competing CSE 11 and CSE 12 by the end of their sophomore year. Admission to the bioinformatics major within each department or division will be based on the GPA in all six screening courses. The final decision on admission to the pre-major and major will be made by the bioinformatics Steering Committee, in consultation with the departments.

If a student applies for admission to the bioinformatics specialization but is not selected after completion of the screening courses, that student will be eligible to remain in the specialization or major to which they were admitted initially. Students with undeclared majors may also apply to the bioinformatics specialization, but in the event they are not selected for this competitive major, they may choose any other major in biology as long as they satisfy the requirements of that major.

Continuing Students

Students who have not declared the bioinformatics pre-major, but who have completed the screening courses, may apply for entry to a bioinformatics program after six quarters (the end of the sophomore year). They will be admitted on a space-available basis, after pre-majors have been screened for admission to the major.

Transfer Students

Applicants seeking admission to a bioinformatics major must have completed the following courses with a strong GPA that is competitive with that of UCSD students applying for entry into this specialization:

a year of calculus (equivalent to Math 20A-B-C)
a year of general chemistry, with lab (equivalent to Chem 6A-B-C and 6BL)
the highest level programming course offered at the community college (equivalent to CSE 11 and 12)
at least one semester of biology (equivalent to BILD 1 and BILD 2)

Those who have not completed the equivalent courses may be admitted as pre-majors, using the same criteria that apply for UCSD students, and will be allowed a maximum of three quarters to complete pre-major requirements. Transfer students are therefore encouraged to complete these requirements at the community college.

If a student applies for admission to a bioinformatics specialization but is not selected after completion of the screening courses, that student will remain eligible for specialization or major to which they were originally admitted.

Lower-Division Requirements

Mathematics 20A-B-C, 20F and Mathematics 15B or CSE 21
Chemistry 6A-B-C, and lab
Physics 2A-B-C
BILD 1 and 2
BILD 94
CSE 11, CSE 12 (Students may take the slower paced version, CSE 8A + CSE 8B, instead of CSE 11.)

Upper-Division Requirements
  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A-B)
  2. Advanced Data Structure (CSE 100 or Mathematics 176)
  3. Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE 101 or Mathematics 188)
  4. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102) or Biochemical Energetics and Metabolism (Chemistry 114B)
  5. Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
  6. Physical Biochemistry (BIBC 110) or Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 127)
  7. Genetics (BICD 100)
  8. Cell Biology (BICD 110)
  9. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100) or Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (Chem 114D)
  10. Recombinant DNA Lab (BIMM 101)
  11. Molecular Sequence Analysis (BIMM 181)
  12. Biological Databases (BIMM 182)
  13. Applied Genomic Technologies (BENG 183)
  14. Computational Molecular Biology (BIMM 184)
  15. Bioinformatics Lab (BIMM 185)
  16. Probability and Statistics (Math 186)
  17. Three additional upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) taken through the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences are required.

Ecology, Behavior and Evolution Major

Please refer to the “Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress” notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

This major includes the fields of population biology, ecology, conservation biology, animal behavior, population genetics, biogeography, and evolution. These fields have in common a focus on evolutionary processes and whole organisms in relation to each other and to their environments. Research careers in ecology, behavior, and evolution can be found in universities, government agencies, and the biotechnology industry. More applied careers for ecologists are equally varied: recent graduates now work in forestry and wildlife management, as ecological consultants for U.S. and foreign governments and private industry, as teachers, or in new fields such as ecological medicine and epidemiology, environmental design and planning, and conservation biology. Because organismal biology spans such a wide variety of topics, this major has been designed to provide the basic fundamentals while allowing maximum flexibility within the general topic areas.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1, 2, and 3
Chemistry 6A-B-C. Laboratories in chemistry are not required.
Mathematics 10A-B, and 11 or 10C or 20A-B-C
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or 2A-B-C

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Genetics (BICD 100)
  2. Biometry (BIEB 100) This course is a prerequisite for several core courses and should be taken in the first or second year.
  3. Introductory Ecology (BIEB 102)
  4. Evolution (BIEB 150)
  5. Seven core courses to be chosen from BIEB 121-180 are required. At least two of these courses must be laboratory or field courses (BIEB 121, 131, 165, 167, and/or 179). Laboratory courses may be taken concurrently with the prerequisite lecture course if Biometry (BIEB 100) has been taken. Note that some of the courses may not be offered every year. For that reason, it is recommended that students take as many required courses as possible when the courses are offered. Students who take the intensive EAP field courses in tropical biology offered in Costa Rica or marine biology in Australia will receive credit toward their degree. All EAP courses must be petitioned upon return. Consult the Education Abroad Program Office at the UCSD International Center for details.
  6. Three additional upper-division courses (each course must be at least four units) in biology or other departments are required. EBE-related courses are offered in mathematics, chemistry, environmental systems, earth sciences, economics, biological anthropology, urban studies (GIS), some other social science departments, and in the graduate programs at SIO (marine biology and oceanography) and IR/PS. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement. Courses to be completed outside of the Division of Biological Sciences must be petitioned (prior to enrollment) to satisfy this requirement. EBE students whose graduate education or careers require biochemistry should take Organic Chemistry 140A, 140B, and Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102) to satisfy this three-course requirement.
    Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

General Biology Major

Please refer to the “Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress” notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

This program allows the most diversified exposure to biology of any of the majors offered by the Division of Biological Sciences. It is designed for students with broad interests who do not wish to be constrained by the specialized requirements of the other majors and who desire maximum freedom to pursue their particular educational goals.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1, 2, and 3
Chemistry 6A-B-C and BL
Mathematics 10A-B, and 11 or 10C or 20A-B-C
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or 2A-B-C and one lab

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A and 140B or 141A and 141B)
  2. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  3. Genetics (BICD 100)
  4. Two upper-division biology labs to be chosen from the following: BIBC 103, 105, BICD 101, 111, 123, 131, 133, 145, BIEB 121, 165, 167, 179, BIMM 101, 103, 121, 127, BIPN 105, or 145.
  5. Seven additional upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) taken through the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences are required.
    Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Although students are free to design upper-division curricula which meet their individual educational goals, Molecular Biology (BIMM 100) and Cell Biology (BICD 110) are strongly recommended for those contemplating applying to graduate or professional schools.

Human Biology Major

Please refer to the "Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress" notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

This major is designed to provide students with the fundamental courses required for entry into: schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy; Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences; and biotech research, teaching, medical technology, patent law, physical therapy, nutrition, and nursing. The core classes required of all human biology majors provide the student with the basic principles that help us understand normal human physiology and the molecular basis of human disease. The course options in Human Physiology, Human Disease, and Biomedical-related laboratories provide the students with educational breadth while still allowing them considerable flexibility in tailoring their course of study to suit their educational goals.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1 and 3 (Note: BILD 2 is not required, but is a prerequisite for many upper-division courses.)
Chemistry 6A-B-C and 6BL
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or Physics 2A-B-C, and one lab
Mathematics 10A-B, and 11 or 10C or 20A-B-C

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A and 140B or 141A and 141B)
  2. Organic Chemistry Lab (Chemistry 143A)
  3. Metabolic Biochemistry (BlBC 102)
  4. Genetics (BICD 100)
  5. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  6. Molecular Basis of Human Disease (BIMM 110)
  7. Mammalian Physiology I (BIPN 100)
  8. Three courses from the following two groups, Human Physiology and Human Disease. At least one course must be taken from each group.

    Human Physiology
    Nutrition (BIBC 120)
    Embryos, Genes, and Development (BICD 130)
    Human Reproduction and Development (BICD 134)
    Immunology (BICD 140)
    Endocrinology (BICD 150)
    Circadian Rhythms—Biological Clocks (BIMM 116)
    Mammalian Physiology II (BIPN 102)
    Cellular Basis of Learning and Memory (BIPN 148)

    Human Disease
    AIDS Science and Society (BICD 136)
    Virology (BIMM 114)
    Pharmacology (BIMM 118)
    Bacteriology (BIMM 120)
    Medical Microbiology (BIMM 124)
    Biology of Cancer (BIMM 134)
    Environmental and Molecular Toxicology (BIMM 166)

  9. Two of the following lab courses: Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
    Signal Transduction Lab (BIBC 105) Cell Biology Lab (BICD 111) Embryology Lab (BICD 131) Developmental Biology Lab (BICD 133) Laboratory in Molecular Medicine (BICD 145) Recombinant DNA Techniques (BIMM 101) Microbiology Lab (BIMM 121) Animal Physiology Lab (BIPN 105)
  10. At least two other upper-division courses (each course must be at least four units) offered by the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences. Recommended courses include additional courses from the Human Physiology and Human Disease lists in section 8 above and BICD 110 (Cell Biology), BIEB 154 (Molecular Evolution), and BICD 118 (Pathways of Intracellular Protein Trafficking and Compartmentation).
    Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Microbiology Major

Please refer to the “Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress” notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

The microbiology major is designed to prepare students for graduate studies and for professional careers in a variety of health-related programs. The specialization in microbiology can provide the basic background for work in medical technology, or for further training in public health or other health-related specialties. The program is also designed to provide a foundation for graduate studies in microbiology, virology, and a variety of allied fields as well as for medical and dental school.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1 and 3 (Note: BILD 2 is not required, but is a prerequisite for many upper-division courses.)
Chemistry 6A-B-C and BL
Mathematics 10A-B, and 11 or 10C or 20A-B-C
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or 2A-B-C and one lab

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A-B or 141A-B)
  2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A)
  3. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  4. Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
  5. Genetics (BICD 100)
  6. Immunology (BICD 140)
  7. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  8. Virology (BIMM 114)
  9. Bacteriology (BIMM 120)
  10. Laboratory in Microbiology (BIMM 121)
  11. Medical Microbiology (BIMM 124)
  12. Three additional upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) taken through the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences are required. Other courses of special interest to microbiology majors are listed below:

Cell Biology (BICD 110)
Regulation of Gene Activity in Eucaryotic Cells (BIMM 112)
Microbial Genetics (BIMM 122)
Recombinant DNA Techniques (BIMM 101)

Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Molecular Biology Major

Please refer to the “Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress” notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

The program for molecular biology is designed to provide an intensive exposure to the theoretical concepts and experimental techniques of molecular biology. The concepts and techniques of molecular biology are the foundation for the studies of all aspects of biology in modern time. A focus on molecular biology, therefore, provides an excellent preparation for a wide range of advanced studies including basic research, medicine, bioengineering, and biotechnology. Considerable emphasis is placed on chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics for students enrolled in the program. As such, it is recommended for those students who have a particularly strong interest in this field of study.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1 and 3 (Note: BILD 2 is not required, but is a prerequisite for many upper-division courses.)
Chemistry 6A-B-C and BL
Mathematics 20A-B-C
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or 2A-B-C, and one lab

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A-B or 141A-B)
  2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A) or Physical Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 105A)
  3. Structural Biochemistry (BIBC 100)
  4. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  5. Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
  6. Genetics (BICD 100)
  7. Cell Biology (BICD 110)
  8. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  9. Recombinant DNA Techniques (BIMM 101)
  10. Regulation of Gene Activity in Eukaryotic Cells (BIMM 112)
  11. Microbial Genetics (BIMM 122)
  12. Four additional upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) taken through the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences are required. Attention is drawn to BICD 120, BICD 122, BICD 140, BIMM 110, and BIMM 114.
    Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Physiology and Neuroscience Major

Please refer to the “Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student Progress” notice detailed earlier in the Division of Biological Sciences section of this catalog.

This major provides a program for studying the bodily and neural functions of complex organisms. A student may concentrate upon a more specialized area of study, such as neurobiology, animal physiology, or endocrinology.

This major is designed to provide students with the fundamental courses required for entry into medical school, graduate school in biological or neural sciences, or entry into other health-related professions such as nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physical education, agriculture, and wildlife management.

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1 and 3 (Note: BILD 2 is not required, but is a prerequisite for many upper-division courses.)
Chemistry 6A-B-C and BL
Mathematics 10A-B, and 11 or 10C or 20A-B-C
Physics 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, 1C/1CL or 2A-B-C, and one lab

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A, 140B, or 141A, 141B)
  2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A)
  3. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  4. Genetics (BICD 100)
  5. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  6. Four from the following eight courses: Mammalian Physiology I (BIPN 100)
    Mammalian Physiology II (BIPN 102)
    Comparative Physiology (BIPN 106)
    Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140)
    Systems Neurobiology (BIPN 142)
    Developmental Neurobiology (BIPN 144)
    Computational Neurobiology (BIPN 146)
    Cellular Basis of Learning and Memory
    (BIPN 148)
  7. One of four laboratories (BICD 131, BICD 133, BIPN 105, BIPN 145)
  8. One upper-division biology lab to be chosen from the following: BIBC 103, 105, BICD 101, 111, 123, 131, 133, 145, BIEB 121, 131, 165, 167, 179, BIMM 101, 103, 121, 127, BIPN 105, 145. This requirement may include a lab from number 7 that has not already been taken by the student.
  9. Three additional upper-division biology courses (each course must be at least four units) taken through the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences are required and may include the above (numbers 6–8) if not already taken.
    Note: For more information on how the BISP 194, 195, 196, 197, or 199 can count toward major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Minor in Biological Sciences

To receive a minor from the Division of Biological Sciences, a student must complete at least seven four-unit biology courses (for a total of at least twenty-eight units of course work).

Lower-Division Requirements

BILD 1 and 3 or BILD 10 and 3

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Any five upper-division biology courses offered by the Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD
  2. Students may apply transferable biology courses from another institution toward the lower-division requirements, after obtaining approval from the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences.
  3. No courses taken outside of the Division of Biological Sciences may be applied toward the biology minor.
  4. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.
  5. The minimum GPA requirement for the biology minor is 2.0 in the upper-division courses.
  6. Advanced placement (AP) biology scores may be applied toward the minor.
  7. BISP 195 may not be used toward the biology minor. One quarter of BISP 196, 197, or 199 may be counted toward the minor.
  8. Students may not minor and major in the Division of Biological Sciences.

Secondary School Biology Teaching

UCSD’s biological sciences division is committed to the education of future biology teachers and offers an excellent preparation for teaching biology in secondary schools. If you are interested in earning a California teaching credential from UCSD, contact the Teacher Education Program for information about the prerequisite and professional preparation requirements. It is recommended that you contact TEP and the Biology Student Affairs Office early in your academic career to help you plan a suitable biology curriculum. If you plan to get your credential at another institution, keep in mind that a broad education in biology is the best preparation to become a teacher.

We suggest that students take courses in plant and animal biology, microbiology, ecology, population biology, evolution, marine biology, genetics, and biochemistry. Courses in cellular and molecular biology are also advisable. After completion of BILD 1, 2, and 3, a suggested program of upper-division courses would be: BIBC 100 or 102, BICD 100, 120, 130, BIEB 102, 150, BIPN 106, SIO 275B. This would give you as a prospective teacher the required breadth of education.

Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program

An integrated program leading to a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in biology is offered to those undergraduate students who are enrolled in any of the major programs offered by the Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD. Qualified students are able to obtain the M.S. degree within one year following receipt of the B.S. degree. Students interested in applying to this program should meet with the BS/M.S. advisor in the Biology Student Affairs Office BEFORE the end of their junior year.

The program is open only to UCSD undergraduates. The Division of Biological Sciences does not have financial aid available for students enrolled in this program although other sources of financial aid may be available to qualified students through the UCSD Financial Aid Office.

Eligibility and Enrollment

To be eligible, students must have completed the first two quarters of their junior year in residence at UCSD and must have an overall UC GPA of at least 3.0. Students’ major GPA should be at least 3.3. Students must demonstrate excellent performance in upper-division biology core courses during their undergraduate program to be eligible to enroll in biology graduate core courses.

It is the responsibility of the prospective B.S./ M.S. student to select a faculty member (from the Division of Biological Sciences) who would be willing to serve as the student’s advisor and in whose laboratory the student would complete at least twenty-four units of research over a two-year period. The units of research which must be completed during the student’s senior undergraduate year, must be taken IN ADDITION to the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. These units will count toward the requirements for the master’s degree only. Students must complete six consecutive quarters of research to fulfill the research component of the program. Any deviation from this plan, such as a break in enrollment for one or more quarters, will be cause for the student to be dropped from the program.

Students who have been approved (by both the Division of Biological Sciences and the UCSD Office of Graduate Admissions) for the program must enroll in a Special Studies Course, BISP 199 (senior year) or BGGN 271 (graduate year only), for each, and every, quarter of participation in the B.S/M.S. program. Students can obtain the appropriate course code and division stamp at the Biology Student Affairs Office.

Research work (BGGN 271) will be credited toward the B.S./M.S. program requirements only if it is completed during the time a student is officially enrolled at UCSD and has paid tuition for that quarter.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree

  1. Completion of six consecutive quarters of research during the senior undergraduate year and the graduate year.
  2. Completion of at least thirty-six units of graduate course work (BGGN 200-level or higher, or approved [via petition] graduate courses offered by related departments at a similar level) during the graduate year. The course of study must be approved by the faculty advisor.
  3. Twelve of the thirty-six units must be in courses other than BGGN 271 (BGGN 297 and BGGN 299 may not be used to satisfy this requirement).
  4. Serve as a graduate teaching assistant.
  5. Maintenance of a grade-point average (both overall and in the major) of at least 3.0 for all course work, both cumulatively and for each quarter of enrollment in the B.S./M.S. program. If the student’s GPA falls below 3.0 (for either overall or in the major), he or she will be automatically dropped from the program.
  6. Completion of a thesis, with an oral presentation to, and approval of, a three-member Thesis Committee. Only ladder rank faculty in the Biological Sciences or an adjunct faculty in the Biological Sciences may serve as advisor and chair of the Thesis Committee. The Thesis Committee must contain at least two regular faculty from the Division of Biological Sciences and no more than one adjunct faculty can serve on the committee. If an adjunct faculty serves as chair of the Thesis Committee, one of the biology members must serve as co-chair.
  7. At least three complete, separate, and consecutive quarters of residency as a graduate student which will commence the quarter immediately following the quarter in which the B.S. degree is awarded. (Note: The summer session is not considered an official quarter during the graduate year.)
  8. Students who have been approved for the B.S./M.S. program must provide the Office of Graduate Admissions with a copy of their official UCSD transcripts with the B.S. degree posted, PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE GRADUATE YEAR IN THE PROGRAM.

Non-Degree Program

The Division of Biological Sciences will accept applicants into the non-degree program for a maximum of one year only. Qualified applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA in their upper-division work to be accepted. Justification will not be made for those who fall below the GPA minimum.

Students who wish to apply to the UCSD biological sciences Ph.D. program at a later date should not apply for this program. However, students who have applied to graduate or medical schools elsewhere, but have not yet been accepted, are welcome to apply.

Once accepted into this program, the student has graduate status for the academic year. Courses may be taken on the undergraduate or graduate level with consent of the instructor. Students will not be assigned faculty advisors and must make their own academic plans.

The Doctoral Program

Graduate studies for a Ph.D. degree in the Division of Biological Sciences in affiliation with the Salk Institute are oriented mainly toward the development of the capacity for independent research and for teaching in the biological sciences.

The requirements for entrance to graduate study in the Division of Biological Sciences are flexible, but a strong background in mathematics, chemistry, and physics is recommended.

Formal course work and opportunities for dissertation research include most basic areas of experimental biology, with emphasis in the general areas of biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, neurobiology, plant molecular biology, ecology, behavior and evolution, virology, and cancer biology.

During the first year of graduate study, each student undertakes a research project in the laboratory of each of four to six different faculty members, and is expected to spend a major portion of his or her academic time on this project. The laboratories are selected by the student in consultation with the first year advisor to provide a broad view of the research interests of the division. The student is also expected to enroll in the first-year graduate biology sequence which includes advanced material in genetics, developmental biology, plant biology, neurobiology, molecular biology, cell biology, virology, and immunology. Students are also required to complete a minimum of twelve units of BGGN 500 (Apprentice Teaching in Biology.) A program of further study, including seminars and courses appropriate to a student’s background and interests, is arranged through consultation between the student and the faculty. Much reliance is placed on informal instruction through early and close association of the student with the faculty and research staff, and through regular seminars. After becoming familiar with the research activities of the faculty through the laboratory rotation program, the student begins work on a thesis research problem of his or her choice no later than the end of the first year. The student is free to choose for the thesis advisor a regular member of the UCSD faculty or an adjunct member of the Division of Biological Sciences faculty. The student is required to have completed a two-part examination in order to be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The purpose of the examinations is for the student to demonstrate competence in the field of major interest and in related fields of biology. The major remaining requirement for the Ph.D. degree is the satisfactory completion of a dissertation consisting of original research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member.

Close collaboration with members of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is a vital and stimulating aspect of the biology program. Additional strength and breadth in biology are gained by collaborating with the Department of Marine Biology of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with The Scripps Research Institute, and with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Divisional Ph.D. Time Limit Policies

Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of four years. Total university support cannot exceed seven years. Total registered time at UCSD cannot exceed seven years.

Specialization in Computational Neurobiology

Students interested in computational neurobiology may apply to the Division of Biological Sciences. These young scientists are trained in the broad range of scientific and technical skills essential to understand the computational resources of neural systems. ?Students in this program have the opportunity to join labs of faculty from several participating departments, including the Departments of Neurosciences, Cognitive Science, and ECE.

Joint Doctoral Program with San Diego State University

The Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD participates in a joint graduate program with the Department of Biology at SDSU, primarily in the areas of cell and molecular biology, and leading to the Ph.D. degree in biology. Graduate student participants in the joint doctoral program are required to spend one year enrolled at UCSD; thesis research is carried out under the supervision of the SDSU faculty.

Information regarding admission is found in the current edition of the San Diego State University Graduate Bulletin.