SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, CONTINUED

Undergraduate Programs

School Requirements

Undergraduate Courses

OVERVIEW

This is the ideal time to be studying biology. We are solving problems today whose solutions were unimaginable even a few years ago, and implications for our society, our health, and our environment are profound. The School of Biological Sciences is dedicated to providing students with a unique course of study that fosters a deep appreciation for the exciting facts and concepts in the field, an education that allows graduates to excel in their chosen careers.

To that end, the School has recently redesigned the curriculum to remain on the cutting edge of biological education. All first-year students are enrolled in a Biology Freshman Seminar of their choice with one of 100 faculty members. Each seminar is different, designed by each member of the faculty to share their excitement about a particular aspect of biology with new students. Students also are introduced to basic concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as cellular and molecular biology, in that first year. The core set of courses in biology continues into the second year, featuring genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology, followed in the third and fourth year by a choice of advanced courses in biology. Since biology is a laboratory discipline, students complete a series of laboratory courses in which they learn both the techniques and approaches needed to solve problems in biology.

Finally, the faculty expect that most students will engage in cutting-edge research in one of more than 250 laboratories and medical clinics in the School of Biological Sciences and the UCI College of Medicine. It is in these situations that faculty train students to think in a sophisticated way about real-world problems. There is also no feeling of excitement greater than finding out something about the world that no one has ever known before, a feeling afforded in biology only by participation in research. The Excellence in Research Program allows students to present their work and be recognized for their performance with a series of awards and publication of their reports in the School's Journal of Undergraduate Research. The combination of small seminars that transmit the faculty's enthusiasm for biology, the set of core classes that instructs students in the concepts of biology, the advanced classes that allow a deep understanding of specialized aspects of biology, the laboratory courses that convey the practical aspects of problem-solving in biology, and the research experiences that engage students in the real excitement in revealing new information about biology, come together to provide an extraordinary experience for students. The Honors Program in the School of Biological Sciences further enhances the educational experience for the best students.

Biology students have the option of specializing in areas of biology that best fit their interests, completing courses for degree programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Developmental and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Neurobiology, or Plant Biology.

Those students who wish to receive a broader education in the area can opt to complete a major in Biological Sciences. Completion of any of these majors forms an excellent basis for application to either graduate or professional studies such as medical school, and graduates of the School of Biological Sciences are routinely accepted to the most prestigious programs in the country.

Students with an interest in the application of ecology to human needs may choose the Applied Ecology major, which is offered jointly by the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Social Ecology. Information is available in the School of Social Ecology section of this Catalogue.

The quality of the faculty in the School of Biological Sciences has remained high while increasing steadily in number over the past few years, giving students a remarkable range of expertise in biology and with it, a large number of different advanced courses and research opportunities. In addition, their efforts have brought several high-impact research units to the campus, such as the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, the Center for Virus Research, the Beckman Laser Institute, the Cancer Research Institute, the Developmental Biology Center, the Center for Immunology, the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, the Macromolecular Structure Research Unit, the Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics, the Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, and the Reeve-Irvine Research Center, all of which are accessible to undergraduates. The School of Biological Sciences also has close research and teaching collaborations with faculty in the Schools of Physical Sciences, Social Ecology, Information and Computer Sciences, and Social Sciences, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, and the College of Medicine.

In addition to the regular University requirements for admission, students interested in the biological sciences should include in their high school curriculum, in addition to a course in biology, four years of mathematics, as well as courses in chemistry and physics, which are now an integral part of most contemporary biological work.

The School's professional counseling staff is always available for consultation to students regarding the many decisions in their academic program. They also are trained to provide guidance in the application process to both professional and graduate schools, a real advantage to the high proportion of students in the School of Biological Sciences who go on to pursue advanced degrees.

Opportunities are available at the graduate level to specialize in Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biological Chemistry, Developmental and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Neurobiology and Behavior, Physiology and Biophysics, and Protein Engineering Science.

Degrees

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	B.S.
Biological Sciences	B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Developmental and Cell Biology	B.S.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology	B.S.
Genetics	B.S.
Neurobiology	B.S.
Plant Ecology	B.S.
Applied Ecology*	B.S.
*offered jointly with the School of Social Ecology

HONORS

Honors Program in the School of Biological Sciences

The Honors Program in the School of Biological Sciences provides an opportunity for outstanding majors in the School to pursue advanced work in independent research via participation in the Excellence in Biological Sciences Research Program and earn Honors in Biological Sciences upon graduation. Admission to the program is based on an application to participate in the Excellence in Biological Sciences Research program filed during the middle part of the fall quarter of the year of the student's participation. Additionally, students must have a minimum overall 3.5 grade point average and a minimum 3.5 grade point average in all required Biological Sciences courses. The Program requires a minimum of three quarters enrollment in research (Biological Sciences 199) including successful completion of Biological Sciences H195 and the Excellence in Biological Sciences Research program.

Graduation with Honors

Of the graduating seniors, no more than 12 percent will receive Latin honors: approximately 1 percent summa cum laude, 3 percent magna cum laude, and 8 percent cum laude. The selection for these awards is based on winter quarter rank-ordered grade point averages. To be eligible for honors at graduation, the student must, by the end of winter quarter of the senior year, be officially declared a Biological Sciences major; submit an Application to Graduate by the end of winter quarter of the senior year; have completed at least 72 units in residence at a UC campus by the end of the winter quarter of the academic year in which they graduate; have all corrections to the academic record processed by the Registrar's Office by the end of winter quarter; if completing the Language Other Than English breadth requirement with a language exemption test, pass the test by the end of winter quarter; and be able to verify completion of all course work by the end of the spring quarter of the senior year. Other important factors are considered (see "Honors Convocation" in the Division of Undergraduate Education section).

Excellence in Research Program

The School of Biological Sciences believes that successful participation in creative research is one of the highest academic goals its undergraduates can attain and accordingly rewards such students with Excellence in Biological Sciences Research certificates. Through undergraduate research and the Excellence in Research Program in Biological Sciences, students have the opportunity of presenting the results of their research endeavors to peers and faculty, and possibly of seeing their research papers published. Selected papers are published in the School's Journal of Undergraduate Research in the Biological Sciences.

Students must be enrolled in experimental research under Biological Sciences 199 and meet the eligibility requirements of the program in order to participate. The program begins each fall with a series of instructional workshops. Contact the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office in 231 Steinhaus Hall for information or visit the Web site at http://www.bio.uci.edu/studentaffairs.

Campuswide Honors Program

The Campuswide Honors Program is available to selected high-achieving students from all academic majors from their freshman through senior years. For more information contact the Campuswide Honors Program, 1200 Student Services II; telephone (949) 824-5461; e-mail: honors@uci.edu; World Wide Web: http://www. honors.uci.edu/.

Dean's Honor List. The quarterly Dean's Honor List is composed of students who have received a 3.5 grade point average while carrying a minimum of 12 graded units.

Biological Sciences Honors, Scholarships, Prizes, and Awards

The following honors, scholarships, prizes, and awards are presented at the annual Biological Sciences Honors Convocation held the first week of June.

Dean's Academic Achievement and Service Awards. Awards are based on academic excellence and exceptional service to the School of Biological Sciences.

Excellence in Biological Sciences Alumni Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2002 with the generous support of Biological Sciences alumni. The award is for undergraduate Biological Sciences majors in their junior year who have demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding extracurricular activities.

Excellence in Research Award. Undergraduates who have successfully completed the requirements for this program are presented with Excellence in Research certificates.

Robert H. Avnet Memorial Scholarship. The Robert H. Avnet Memorial Scholarship has been established to assist a student interested in becoming a physician. The student must be a Biological Sciences major and demonstrate financial need.

Robert Ernst Prize for Excellence in Student Research in Plant Biology. This prize is awarded to a student for meritorious research conducted in plant biology.

Dean's Award for Excellence in Research. Three students receiving the highest ratings for their papers and oral presentations at the Excellence in Research Program will receive the Dean's Award for Excellence in Research.

Dr. William F. Holcomb Scholarship. The intent of the Dr. William F. Holcomb Scholarship is to support biomedical or marine biological studies. The Scholarship is to be used to support continuing academic work over a specific period.

Laurence J. Mehlman Prize. The Laurence J. Mehlman Prize is awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Biological Sciences who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in both scholarship and service to the School.

Edward Mittelman Memorial Fund Scholarship. The Edward Mittelman Memorial Fund Scholarship is presented to an outstanding Biological Sciences student who will pursue a career in the medical field.

Edward A. Steinhaus Memorial Award. The Edward A. Steinhaus Memorial Award is given to outstanding Biological Sciences graduate student teaching assistants who demonstrate promise as future educators.

Joseph H. Stephens Award for Outstanding Research in Ecology and Conservation. This award is granted to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding research in ecology and conservation.

Joseph H. Stephens Award for Outstanding Research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This award is granted to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding research in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Jayne Unzelman Scholarship. The Jayne Unzelman Scholarship is presented to an undergraduate student who has shown academic excellence and been of service to the School of Biological Sciences and/or the University, and to the community.

Special Service Awards. These awards are given to students who have demonstrated great service to the School, the University, and/or community.

Undergraduate Programs

ADMISSION TO THE MAJOR IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

In the event that the number of students who elect Biological Sciences as a major exceeds the number of positions available, applicants may be subject to screening beyond minimum University of California admissions requirements.

Freshmen: Preference will be given to those who rank the highest using the selection criteria as stated in the Undergraduate Admissions section of this Catalogue.

Transfer students: Junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who satisfactorily complete course prerequisites will be given preference for admission. All applicants must complete one year of general chemistry with laboratory with grades of B or better and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

No student may enter as a double major, but Biological Sciences students interested in other areas may apply to become double majors after the first quarter, if the second school or program approves. A strong academic performance in the second area is requisite for acceptance as a double major.

CHANGE OF MAJOR

Students who wish to declare any major within the School of Biological Sciences should contact the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office in 231 Steinhaus Hall for information about change-of-major requirements, procedures, and policies. Information can also be found at http://www.due.uci.edu/Change_of_Major.html. Change of Major petitions are accepted and reviewed by the School throughout the year.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE

All School of Biological Sciences students must complete the following requirements.

University Requirements: See pages 56-61.

School Requirements

A. Biological Sciences 2B, 194S; Biological Sciences Core 93, 94, 97, 98, 99, 100L; Chemistry 1A-B-C, 1LB-LC or H2A-B-C, 1LB-1LC; Chemistry 51A-B-C, 51LA-LB or 52A-B-C, 52LA-LB; Mathematics 2A-B and one course selected from Biological Sciences 7 or Mathematics 2D or 2J or 7; Physics 3A-B-C, 3LB-LC or 7A-B, 7LA-LB and 7D, 7LD or 7E.

B. Humanities 1A-B-C, or its alternative, the lower-division writing requirement of the breadth requirement (Category I) and an approved three-quarter series of courses in the humanities. See the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office for a list of approved courses.

Prerequisites for all Biological Sciences Core courses are rigorously enforced. Students must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in the Biological Sciences Core Curriculum, four upper-division elective courses, and three upper-division laboratories.

School Residence Requirement: After matriculation, all courses required for the major must be successfully completed at UCI. The School of Biological Sciences strictly enforces the UCI residence requirement. At least 36 of the final 45 units completed by a student for the bachelor's degree must be earned in residence at the UCI campus. (The School considers courses taken in the Education Abroad Program to be in-residence courses.)

UCI Breadth Requirement

Those students majoring in Biological Sciences who have completed the School requirements and who have passed any two quarters of the writing component of the Humanities Core or its alternative with a grade of C or better will have satisfied the UCI breadth requirement, with the exception of: Category III, Social and Behavioral Sciences; Category VI, Language Other Than English; and Category VII, Multicultural Studies and International/ Global Issues. Transfer students will also be required to satisfy the upper-division writing requirement.

Specifically, the Humanities Core Course (Humanities 1A-B-C) or its alternative satisfies Category IV, Humanistic Inquiry; it also satisfies the lower-division writing requirement when two quarters of the writing component are passed with a grade of C or better. Biological Sciences 100L with a grade of C or better satisfies the upper-division writing requirement. Chemistry and physics satisfy Category II, Natural Sciences. Category V, Mathematics and Symbolic Systems, is satisfied by completion of the School mathematics requirement.

Undergraduate Major in Biological Sciences

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

NOTE: Biological Sciences majors who successfully complete their second year of study may elect to apply for a change of major to one for the following: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Developmental and Cell Biology, Genetics, Neurobiology, or Plant Biology. Students may apply directly to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major when they apply for admission to UCI. Contact the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office for more information.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.S. DEGREE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

University Requirements: See pages 56-61.

School Requirements: See above.

Major Requirements

A. Required Major Courses: three courses selected from Biological Sciences 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110.

B. Upper-Division Laboratories: three courses selected from Biological Sciences 111L, 112L, 113L, 114L, 115L, 116L, 121L, 122L, 124L, and 166.

C. Upper-Division Biology Electives: Four upper-division, four-unit courses selected from Biological Sciences 103 through 189. Biological Sciences 103-110 may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement. Chemistry 130A-B-C or 131A-B-C or Physics 147A-B-C can be used to partially satisfy the elective requirement. Additionally, Psychology/Biological Sciences double majors may also use Psychology 112A-B-C to partially satisfy the elective requirement.

NOTE: Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences, including the Applied Ecology major, are not permitted.

Requirements for the Minor in Biological Sciences

Nine courses are required, no more than two of which may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis:

A. Three courses selected from Biological Sciences 93, 94, 97, 98, and 99. (Prerequisites are strictly enforced. Exceptions may be made for some majors that accept the above courses for degree requirements. Consult with the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office or the academic counseling office of the major.)

B. Six four-unit courses selected from Biological Sciences 5-H90, 93-189, excluding 46. Three courses must be upper-division. Prerequisites are strictly enforced. (Courses used to satisfy group A may not also be used to satisfy group B.)

Residence requirement for the minor: A minimum of six courses required for the minor must be completed at UCI. Approved courses taken in the Education Abroad Program are considered to be in-residence courses.

NOTE: Students in any of the majors within the School of Biological Sciences or in the Applied Ecology major may not minor in Biological Sciences.

PLANNING A PROGRAM OF STUDY

Since biological sciences courses are built upon a base of the physical sciences, it is very important for students to take their required physical sciences early, particularly general and organic chemistry. Students who have not completed high school chemistry are well advised to complete a preparatory chemistry course before entering UCI. The academic program shown is only a suggested program. Students should consult the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office for individual academic planning.

Freshmen will normally take Humanities 1A, Chemistry 1A, Biological Sciences 93, and a freshman seminar (Biological Sciences 2A) during the fall quarter. Students will then continue with Biological Sciences 94, 2B, and complete their general chemistry and humanities requirement the remaining winter and spring quarters.

Sophomores begin organic chemistry (Chemistry 51A or 52A), continue the Biological Sciences Core with 97, 98, 99, and 100L; students enrolling in 100L must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Biological Sciences 97 and 194S. Sophomores also complete the Humanities requirement if they have not taken it during their freshman year and often begin taking courses in other disciplines to meet the UCI breadth requirement and fulfill their mathematics requirement if they have not done so as freshmen.

During their junior year, most majors continue with the Biological Sciences electives and take physics. Students who intend to double major in Chemistry will be required to take Physics 7A-B and 7D or 7E in place of Physics 3A-B-C. Juniors may complete their breadth requirements and usually start their research and their upper-division biology laboratory courses.

Finally, during their senior year, students continue their research and complete their remaining major requirements.

Students in the Biological Sciences major are required to make progress toward their degree. Students' progress will be monitored. If normal academic progress toward the degree in Biological Sciences is not being met, students will be subject to probation.

Sample Program -- Biological Sciences

¹ For an alternative to Humanities Core, refer to section B of the Biological Sciences School Requirements.

² Chemistry 52A-B-C, 52LA-LB may be taken instead of 51A-B-C, 51LA-LB.

³ Prerequisites are completion of or concurrent enrollment in Biological Sciences 97 and 194S, and satisfactory completion of the lower-division writing requirement; 100L must be completed prior to taking the three upper-division labs.

⁴ In addition to the listed Biological Sciences elective courses, Chemistry 130A-B-C or 131A-B-C, Physics 147A-B-C, and Psychology 112A-B-C (for Biological Sciences/Psychology double majors) are counted as Biological Sciences elective courses.

⁵ Electives should be chosen with the following purposes in mind: UCI breadth requirements; students' own breadth; preprofessional training.

Undergraduate Major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The recent explosive growth of chemical and molecular understanding of biology is a notable scientific achievement. The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is designed to provide a comprehensive background in this modern, conceptual understanding of biology. In addition, students who wish to begin in-depth study of the molecular basis of a variety of fields including development, gene expression, immunology, pathogenesis, disease, virology, and evolution can do so through this major. This program will be especially attractive to those students who intend to pursue an advanced degree in biological or medical sciences. The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major is based upon required courses in Advanced Biochemistry and Advanced Molecular Biology (Biological Sciences 114 and 116). These courses, along with elective courses in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and genetics, provide majors with a choice to either explore the breadth of the field or to follow a more in-depth study of any of its subdisciplines. The program of study emphasizes laboratory experience through the Biochemistry Laboratory and the Molecular Biology Laboratory (Biological Sciences 114L and 116L), and through either the Immunology Laboratory or the Virology Laboratory (Biological Sciences 121L or 124L), which provide students with the opportunity to develop a range of skills and an appreciation of the experimental foundations of the field.

The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is intended to provide students with the appropriate tools and training to successfully pursue graduate degrees emphasizing basic research skills. This would include Ph.D. and M.S. training as well as combined M.D./Ph.D. programs. In addition, graduates could use their background very effectively in pursuing careers in business, education, law, and public affairs.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.S. DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

University Requirements: See pages 56-61.

School Requirements: See above.

Major Requirements

Biological Sciences 114 and 116; 114L and 116L, and one additional laboratory selected from 121L, 124L, or one year of research (Biological Sciences 199) approved by the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Faculty Board; four Biology elective courses (at least two of which must be from Biological Sciences) selected from Biological Sciences 120A, 121, 122, 123A, 124, 125, 128, 133A, 137A-B, 140, 144A, 145A, 147, or Chemistry 128, 130A-B-C, or 131A-B-C; two additional upper-division courses selected from Biological Sciences 103-110, 117-189, or Chemistry 128, 130A-B-C, or 131A-B-C. No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement.

Sample Program -- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

¹ For an alternative to Humanities Core, refer to section B of the Biological Sciences School Requirements.

² Chemistry 52A-B-C, 52LA-LB may be taken instead of 51A-B-C, 51LA-LB.

³ Prerequisites are completion of or concurrent enrollment in Biological Sciences 97 and 194S, and satisfactory completion of the lower-division writing requirement; 100L must be completed prior to taking upper-division labs.

Application Process to Declare the Major: The major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major can be made at any time, but typically in the spring of the sophomore year. Review of applications submitted at that time and selection to the major by the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Faculty Board is completed during the summer. Information can also be found at http://www.due.uci.edu/Change_of_Major.html. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences, including the Applied Ecology major, are not permitted.

Click here for more undergraduate program information, including the majors in Developmental and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Neurobiology, and Plant Biology.