Biological Sciences, Division of STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES Division of Biological Sciences Required Review of Student ProgressFreshmen Effective fall 2002, the Division of Biological Sciences will eliminate pre-major status with the exception of the biology major with specialization in bioinformatics. Entering students who have indicated the desire to major in biology 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 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 Effective fall 2002, the Division of Biological Sciences will eliminate pre-major status with the exception of the biology major with specialization in bioinformatics. Entering students who have indicated the desire to major in biology 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 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 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.) 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 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 or by AP credit 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. 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. Enrollment in Upper-Division Biology Classes by Non-Biology Students Because biology is a popular major, enrollment in upper-division biology courses is limited to biology majors, and those majors for which upper-division biology courses are required for graduation. Every effort will be made, on a space available basis, to enroll students from other majors in those biology lecture and laboratory courses which may be required for postgraduate study. Division of Biological Sciences Residency RequirementTo 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. Division of Biological Sciences Laboratory RequirementFreshmen Effective fall 2003, the Division of Biological Sciences will require 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 Effective fall 2003, the Division of Biological Sciences will require 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. Grade Requirements for the MajorsThe 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 advisers 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, or 199. Students with Transfer CreditAll 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 a General Petition. Contact Biology Student Affairs (1128 Pacific Hall) for specific information regarding transfer documentation and petition procedures. Effective fall 2000, the Division of Biological Sciences will require 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 AbroadThe 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 adviser 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. Special Studies CoursesOnly one quarter of BISP 195 and one quarter of BISP 196, 197, or 199 may be counted toward any biology major. For information on requirements and application procedures for special studies courses students should go to the Biology Student Affairs Office (1128 Pacific Hall). 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 and, if eligible, will receive four units per quarter of BISP 199. Students may also withdraw voluntarily from the program and, if eligible, receive appropriate credit for BISP 199. Grades for BISP 196 are P, NP, or I only. Application to the Honors Thesis Program
Entry into the second and third quarter of the program will require submission to the honors thesis adviser 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, conversion of the 196 credit to BISP 199 will be recommended. 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 adviser. 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://www.biology.ucsd.edu/undergrad/index.html. 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—Independent Study for Undergraduates Independent Study 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 a General Petition for their request before the end of the eighth week of the quarter prior to the quarter in which research will begin. This early deadline allows time for the biology faculty to review and contribute to the student’s research proposal and ascertain the project’s compatibility with the student’s academic goals. 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 SciencesFor 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) animal physiology and neuroscience, (2) biochemistry and cell biology, (3) biology with a specialization in bioinformatics, (4) ecology, behavior, and evolution, (5) general biology, (6) human biology, (7) microbiology, and (8) molecular biology. 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. Animal Physiology and Neuroscience MajorPlease 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 animal physiology and neuroscience major provides a program for studying the bodily and neural functions of complex organisms. Within this major, a student may concentrate upon more specialized areas of study, such as human biology, neurobiology, or endocrinology. This major is most directly applicable to health-related professions such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and medical technology. Animal physiology and neuroscience majors are also well prepared to enter other professions such as physiological research, physical education, agriculture, and wildlife management. Lower-Division Requirements Mathematics 10A-B, and 10C or 11 or 20A-B, and 20C or 21C Upper-Division RequirementsListed below are the upper-division courses required for the animal physiology and neuroscience major. The first four requirements provide exposure to the current understanding of subcellular function that should be at the command of all modern biologists. Requirements 5 and 6 constitute the core of the animal physiology and neuroscience major. By choosing three optional four-unit upper-division biology courses (requirement 9), a program geared to the needs of the individual student can be formulated.
Biochemistry and Cell Biology MajorPlease 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 five 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 Mathematics 10A-B, and 10C or 11 or 20A-B, and 20C or 21C Upper-Division Requirements
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. Bioinformatics Specialization in the Division of Biological SciencesThis 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 Effective fall 2001, 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: Math 20B 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 Effective fall 2003, 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:
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, 21C, 20F and Mathematics 15B or CSE 21 Upper-Division Requirements
Ecology, Behavior and Evolution MajorPlease 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
Upper-Division Requirements
A systemwide supercourse in environment biology held at the White Mountain Research station provides another attractive alternative to gaining field experience. For more information, consult http://www.wmrs.edu/ General Biology MajorPlease 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 RequirementsLower-division requirements are designed to provide the foundations in mathematics, physics, and chemistry that are fundamental to the study of biology. In addition, an introduction to biology is required to provide the appropriate background for upper-division biology courses. The lower-division requirements are subsumed in large part under those of the various colleges.
Upper-Division RequirementsListed below are the upper-division course requirements for the general biology major. Specific requirements have been held to a minimum for this major in order to allow students maximum freedom in fitting course schedules to their particular educational goals. Because of the central positions of biochemistry and genetics in all of modern biological thought, only Biochem-istry (BIBC 100 or 102), its organic chemistry prerequisites (Chemistry 140A and B), and Genetics (BICD 100) are prescribed requirements for general biology majors.
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 MajorThis 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
Upper-Division Requirements
Microbiology MajorPlease 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
Upper-Division Requirements
Molecular Biology MajorPlease 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
Upper-Division Requirements
Minor in Biological SciencesTo receive a minor from the Division of Biological Sciences, a student must complete at least seven four-unit biology courses, including at least five four-unit upper-division biology courses (for a total of at least twenty-eight units of course work). Students may apply transferable biology courses from another institution toward the lower-division requirement, after obtaining approval from both the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences and the student’s college. Upper-division courses must be taken for letter grade. No courses taken outside of the Division of Biological Sciences may be applied toward the biology minor (i.e., Chemistry 140A, Psychology 106, etc.). Advanced placement biology scores of four or five may be counted in lieu of BILD 1 and BILD 2. An advanced placement biology score of three may be counted in lieu of BILD 10. Secondary School Biology TeachingUCSD’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 ProgramAn 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. adviser 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. Eligibility and EnrollmentTo 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 adviser 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, BGGN 271, 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
Non-Degree ProgramThe 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 minmum. 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 advisers and must make their own academic plans. The Doctoral ProgramGraduate 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 adviser 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 adviser 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 PoliciesStudents 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 NeurobiologyStudents interested in computational neurobiology may apply to the Division of Biological Sciences. Students in Biology with a Specialization in Computational Neurobiology are supported by the Institute for Neural Computation (INC). These young scientists are trained in the broad range of scientific and technical skills essential to understand the computational resources of neural systems. Students enrolled in this specialization receive financial support through a National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) award to UCSD. Joint Doctoral Program with San Diego State UniversityThe 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. |
