UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, continued

Undergraduate Major in Neurobiology

The Neurobiology major is designed to teach students how neurobiologists apply cellular, molecular, systems, and behavioral analyses in understanding how the nervous system works. The hallmark of the major is a year-long, in-depth exploration of the intellectual tools used to create, advance, and disseminate knowledge about the nervous system. Through neurobiology satellite courses, students acquire advanced factual knowledge about neurobiology. In addition, Neurobiology majors may choose to participate in research through Biological Sciences 199, where they will learn technical skills and receive mentoring from faculty members.

Students completing the Neurobiology major will be well qualified for admission to graduate or professional schools in preparation for careers in biological research, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing, and other related fields. Even without additional education, they will be competitive for positions in the pharmaceutical industry, the health care delivery industry, or in medically or biologically related technologies. The major also provides valuable preparation for students interested in entering other disciplines that increasingly interface with biology and biotechnology, such as law, business administration, and government policy. Additionally, the major provides excellent preparation for students who wish to become high school science teachers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.S. DEGREE IN NEUROBIOLOGY

University Requirements: See pages 54-61.

School Requirements: See pages 132-133.

Major Requirements

A.   Upper-Division Core: Biological Sciences N110 and two selected from D103, D104, E106, E109.

B.   Required Major Courses: Biological Sciences N112A-B-C.

C.   Upper-Division Laboratories: Biological Sciences N113L and two selected from D111L, E106L, E112L, E115L, E131L, E161L, E166, E172L, E179L, M114L, M116L, M118L, M121L, M122L, M124L, M127L, M130L; one of these two laboratories can be satisfied by completion of Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences.

D.   Upper-Division Biology Electives: two selected from Biological Sciences N119-N190; one additional four-unit course selected from Biological Sciences D103-D190, E106-E190, M114-M190, N110-N190, or from Chemistry 130A-B-C, Chemistry 131A-B-C, and Physics 147A. No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement.

Application Process to Declare the Major: The major in Neurobiology 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 Neurobiology Faculty Board is completed during the summer. Information can also be found at http://www.changeofmajor.uci.edu. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.

Sample Program - Neurobiology

¹Students have the option of taking Humanities 1A or lower-division writing courses.
²Chemistry H52A-B-C, H52LA-LB may be taken instead of 51A-B-C, 51LB-LC.