Biological Sciences, Division of

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STUDENT AND INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES OFFICE
Pacific Hall, First Floor
(858) 534-0557

FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Urey Hall Annex

DEAN’S OFFICE
Natural Sciences Building, Sixth Floor

http://biology.ucsd.edu/

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Updates to curricular sections may be found on the Academic Senate website: http://senate.ucsd.edu/Curriculum/Updates.htm.

Division of Biological Sciences Residency Requirement

To receive a bachelor of science in biology from UC San Diego, 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 in biology from UC San Diego, 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 UC San Diego. The courses must apply to minimum major requirements to satisfy residency. 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

Prerequisites are enforced in all courses offered by the Division of Biological Sciences. UC San Diego students are expected to have completed all prerequisites prior to enrolling in any biology course. Please review the division’s prerequisite information at http://biology.ucsd.edu for the most current information.

Readmission to a Biology Major

Students who were absent for six quarters or more, and who have been readmitted to UC San Diego, 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 UC San Diego. These petitions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Grade Requirements for the Majors

Minimum grade requirements for all biology majors:

The minimum GPA requirement (for both the major and overall UC) for graduation is 2.0. The biology major GPA calculation is based on upper-division courses required for the major. Upper-division courses from other UCs, other UC San Diego departments, and EAP that 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.

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 Biological Sciences Student and Instructional Services office (1128 Pacific Hall) prior to taking courses outside of UC San Diego.

The Division of Biological Sciences requires that students take the full content equivalencies to UC San Diego series in biology, 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, he or she will be required to complete the lacking material at UC San Diego or at another institution 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 UC San Diego Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). It is very important that students who plan to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program or the UC San Diego Opportunities Abroad Program plan early. 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 and http://biology.ucsd.edu.

Special Studies Courses

For information on requirements and application procedures for special studies courses, please visit http://biology.ucsd.edu.

How to apply special studies courses toward a biology major:

Subsequent quarters of BISP 195, 196, 197, or 199 may be applied toward college and university requirements.

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

BISP 195. Introduction to Teaching in Biology

Introduction to Teaching in Biology allows students to obtain exploratory experience in teaching biological sciences. Participants earn four units of upper-division credit through service as an Undergraduate Instructional Apprentice (UGIA), assigned to an undergraduate biological sciences course. Participation is limited to selected applicants with a minimum of ninety units complete and a minimum UC GPA of 3.0. For more information and to access the application for BISP 195, please visit http://biology.ucsd.edu.

BISP 196. Honors Thesis Program in Biological Sciences

Eligible applicants must be declared in one of the eight biology majors offered through the Division of Biological Sciences and have a minimum 3.6 major and overall UC grade point average by the end of their junior year. This program covers the senior year of undergraduate study (fall, winter, and spring). Required course work for the honors thesis program is to be taken in addition to major requirements for graduation. 

The program involves completion of a total of twelve units (four units each quarter) of senior thesis research (BISP 196) taken during three consecutive quarters: fall, winter, and spring. Research is conducted under the supervision of an eligible faculty member at UC San Diego. If there are any questions as to which faculty members are eligible, students should consult with Biology Student and Instructional Services.

Completion of the program requires a final written thesis by the student and a poster session with an oral presentation to a suitable group of faculty and students, including the Honors thesis adviser. The completed thesis is due by Friday of Week 10 in spring quarter. The thesis will be reviewed by the Honors thesis faculty adviser and must meet approval prior to distinction being granted.   

Students who complete the program satisfactorily and achieve a minimum 3.25 major GPA will have Distinction  recorded on their transcript. This program is the only way to earn Distinction through the Division of Biological Sciences. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress will be dropped from the program. Students may also withdraw voluntarily from the program. Grades for BISP 196 are P/NP only.

Application to the Honors Thesis Program

  1. Students interested in the program and who are eligible as of spring quarter of their junior year (the fourth quarter prior to graduation) must identify an eligible UC San Diego faculty member willing to act in the capacity of principal investigator (PI).
  2. After a PI is selected, the student and the PI must complete the Special Studies application and research plan (available on the biology website).
  3. The application and research plan must then be submitted to the Biology Student and Instructional Services Office. The deadline for submitting the application and research plan may be found on the biology web page. All deadlines are strictly enforced.
  4. If initial eligibility requirements are met, the application will be submitted to the Honors thesis faculty adviser for review.
  5. If the student is approved for admission to the program, he or she will be automatically enrolled in BISP 196 during the first or second week of the quarter in which the research is to be conducted .

A new Special Studies application, research plan, and research update are required each quarter for continued participation in the program. The research update is a written report in which the student summarizes the data obtained in the previous quarter. A brief oral interview with the Honors thesis faculty adviser on this report can also be expected. If the progress made appears reasonable for an honors student, then the BISP 196 application will be approved. If not, the student may be dropped from the program.

All required components of the program must be submitted by the stated deadline. Submitting late or incomplete work will result in removal from the program or failure to earn distinction.

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 (196 or 199) have already been counted toward the major.

To enroll in BISP 197, students must have accrued at least ninety quarter-units with an overall UC GPA of at least 2.5.

For more information about BISP 197, please visit http://biology.ucsd.edu.

BISP 199. Individual Research for Undergraduates

Individual Research for Undergraduates is intended to provide interested and qualified students with an opportunity to participate and work closely with faculty in active biological science-based research projects that augment the curricular focus of the division. Eligible students must have accrued at least ninety units, achieved an overall UC GPA of at least 2.5, and have submitted a completed application, including research plan, by the stated deadline. Students may apply to work with any individual with a UC San Diego faculty teaching title; however applications are subject to review by the Division of Biological Sciences. For more information, deadlines, and to access the application for BISP 199, please visit http://biology.ucsd.edu.

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 UC San Diego 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 submission of a petition does not guarantee approval for an AIP 197 to count 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.

Advanced Topics Courses

BIBC, BICD, BIEB, BIMM, BIPN, and BISP 194. Advanced Topics in Modern Biology

The Division of Biological Sciences offers a number of two-unit upper-division seminar courses (numbered 194) designed to provide students with an opportunity to extend what they have learned in upper-division courses by analyzing existing knowledge and contemporary thinking in a particular biological sciences field. Students should consult the quarterly Schedule of Classes for topics and descriptions.

Students may receive credit for up to four Advanced Topics in Modern Biology (194) courses, as long as the content varies. Students may enroll in up to four 194 courses in any given term.

Students who complete two 194 courses may request to combine them as one upper-division biology elective. In order to do so each 194 course must address a different topic and both 194 courses must be taken for a letter grade (and a C– or better achieved).

Major Programs in Biological Sciences

For more information, please see the department web page, http://biology.ucsd.edu/.

The UC San Diego 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 UC San Diego 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. The bachelor of science granted in each of these majors will be so designated.

The Student and Instructional Services 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 and Instructional Services.

Biochemistry and Cell Biology Major

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 that 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

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A) or Physical Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 105A)
  4. Structural Biochemistry (BIBC 100) or Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 126)
  5. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  6. Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
  7. Genetics (BICD 100)
  8. Cell Biology (BICD 110)
  9. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  10. Capstone Course (select one of the following courses):
    • Nutrition (BIBC 120)
    • Embryos, Genes, and Development (BICD 130)
    • Human Reproduction (BICD 134)
    • Immunology (BICD 140)
    • Molecular Basis of Disease (BIMM 110)
    • Virology (BIMM 114)
    • Circadian Rhythms-Biological Clocks (BIMM 116)
    • Pharmacology (BIMM 118)
    • Bacteriology (BIMM 120)
    • Medical Microbiology (BIMM 124)
    • Microbial Biochemistry (BIMM 130)
    • Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140)
    • Systems Neurobiology (BIPN 142)
    • Cellular Basis of Learning and Memory (BIPN 148)
    • Diseases of the Nervous System (BIPN 150)
  11. Upper-division biology lab  Complete one upper-division lab course (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  12. Four major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181 and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

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 BS 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.

Lower-Division Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Advanced Data Structure (CSE 100 or Mathematics 176)
  4. Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE 101 or Mathematics 188)
  5. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  6. Biochemical Techniques (BIBC 103)
  7. Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 127)
  8. Genetics (BICD 100)
  9. Cell Biology (BICD 110)
  10. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100) or Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (Chemistry 114D)
  11. Recombinant DNA Lab (BIMM 101)
  12. Molecular Sequence Analysis (BIMM 181)
  13. Biological Databases (BIMM 182)
  14. Applied Genomic Technologies (BENG 183)
  15. Computational Molecular Biology (BIMM 184)
  16. Bioinformatics Lab (BIMM 185)
  17. Probability and Statistics (Mathematics 186)
  18. Three major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution Major

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 US 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

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Genetics (BICD 100)
  2. Biostatistics (BIEB 100)
  3. Introductory Ecology (BIEB 102)
  4. Evolution (BIEB 150)
  5. Five core courses to be chosen from BIEB 121-176.
  6. BIEB lab or field course: Complete one upper-division BIEB lab course (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  7. Upper-division biology lab: Complete one upper-division lab course (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences. An EBE lab not already used for the EBE lab requirement may be used.

    Note that not all courses are offered every year. For that reason, it is recommended that students take as many required courses as possible when the courses are offered.
  8. Three major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

    EBE-related courses offered in mathematics, chemistry, environmental systems, earth sciences, economics, biological anthropology, urban studies, some other social science departments, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and IR/PS may be applicable. Students intending to apply a course offered outside of the Division of Biological Sciences to major requirements should consult with the Student and Instructional Services Office prior to enrollment for applicability. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

    EBE students whose graduate education or careers require biochemistry should take Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 140A and Chemistry 140B) and Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102) to satisfy this three-course requirement.

    The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to requirement number 5 or 8 above: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

General Biology Major

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

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  4. Genetics (BICD 100)
  5. Upper-division biology lab: Complete two upper-division biology lab courses (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  6. Seven major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Human Biology Major

This major is designed to provide students with the fundamental courses required for entry into: schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy; PhD 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 students with educational breadth while still allowing them considerable flexibility in tailoring their course of study to suit their educational goals.

Lower-Division Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A)
  4. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  5. Genetics (BICD 100)
  6. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  7. Molecular Basis of Human Disease (BIMM 110)
  8. Mammalian Physiology I (BIPN 100)
  9. Three human physiology and human disease core courses. At least one course must be taken from each group.

    10. 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)
    • Physiology of Exercise (BIPN 108)
    • 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)
    • Diseases of the Nervous System (BIPN 150)
  10. Upper-division biology labs: Complete two upper-division biology lab courses (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  11. Two major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Microbiology Major

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

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A)
  4. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  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. Upper-division biology lab: Complete one upper-division lab course (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  13. Three major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Molecular Biology Major

The program for molecular biology is designed to provide intensive exposure to 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 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

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chem 143A) or Physical Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 105A)
  4. Structural Biochemistry (BIBC 100)
  5. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  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. Upper-division biology lab: Complete one upper-division lab course (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  13. Four major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Special Studies Courses.”

Recommended courses include Fundamentals of Plant Biology (BICD 120), Immunology (BICD 140), Molecular Basis of Human Disease (BIMM 110) and Virology (BIMM 114).

Physiology and Neuroscience Major

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 by selecting the appropriate courses.

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

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 140A)
  2. Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 140B)
  3. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry 143A)
  4. Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102)
  5. Genetics (BICD 100)
  6. Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
  7. Four Physiology and Neuroscience core courses (select four of the following courses):
    • Mammalian Physiology I (BIPN 100)
    • Mammalian Physiology II (BIPN 102)
    • Comparative Physiology (BIPN 106)
    • Physiology of Exercise (BIPN 108)
    • Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140)
    • Systems Neurobiology (BIPN 142)
    • Developmental Neurobiology (BIPN 144)
    • Computational Neurobiology (BIPN 146)
    • Cellular Basis of Learning and Memory (BIPN 148)
    • Diseases of the Nervous System (BIPN 150)
  8. Animal Physiology Lab (BIPN 105)
  9. Upper-division biology lab: Complete one upper-division  lab course (at least four units) offered by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.
  10. Three major electives. A major elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper-division biology course taken through the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The following Scripps Institution of Oceanography courses may be taken and applied to this requirement: SIO 126, 132, 134, 147, 181, and 189. Students are required to meet the Division of Biological Sciences residency requirement.

For more information on how Biological Sciences 194 courses can be applied to major requirements, please see the previous section “Advanced Topics Courses.”

For more information on how Biological Sciences 195, 196, 197, or 199 courses can be applied to 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

Any five upper-division biology courses offered by the Division of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego.

Students may not minor and major in the Division of Biological Sciences. Upper-division courses may not be used to fulfill both a major and minor requirement; no overlap is allowed.