SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Albert F. Bennett, Dean

5120 Natural Sciences II
Undergraduate Counseling: (949) 824-5318
Graduate Programs:
   Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: (949) 824-4743
   Combined Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular
      Biosciences (CMB): (949) 824-8145
   Department of Neurobiology and Behavior: (949) 824-8519
http://www.bio.uci.edu/

Faculty / Overview

Undergraduate Programs / Undergraduate Courses

Graduate Study / Developmental and Cell Biology / Ecology and Evolutionary Biology / Molecular Biology and Biochemistry / Neurobiology and Behavior

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.

The School has recently redesigned the curriculum to remain on the cutting edge of biological education. All first-year students are introduced to basic concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as cellular and molecular biology. 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 School 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 online Journal of Undergraduate Research. 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, Biology/Education, Developmental and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, 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.

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 Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, the Macromolecular Structure Research Unit, the Organized Research Unit in 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 Medicine, Physical Sciences, Social Ecology, and Social Sciences; the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences; and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering.

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 Developmental and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, and Neurobiology and Behavior.

DEGREES

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 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 spring quarter rank-ordered grade point averages. To be eligible for honors at graduation, the student must, by the end of spring 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 spring 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 spring quarter; if completing the Language Other Than English general education requirement with a language exemption test, pass the test by the end of spring 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 Recognition" in the Honors Opportunities information 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. Students enrolled in Undergraduate Research (Biological Sciences 199) and who meet the eligibility requirements have an opportunity to present the results of their research endeavors to peers and faculty. Those students awarded with "Excellence in Research" will then have their papers published in the School's online Journal of Undergraduate Research in the Biological Sciences.

The program begins each fall with a mandatory instructional workshop and continues through spring with students completing a scientific paper, poster presentation, and scientific talk. Contact the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office, room 1011 Biological Sciences III, or visit the Web site at http://www.bio.uci.edu/Excellence/ for additional information.

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; (949) 824-5461; honors@uci.edu; 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 in June.

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

Atwood Family Scholarship. The Atwood Family Scholarship is awarded to sophomore Biological Sciences majors who demonstrate outstanding achievement in both scholarship and service to the UCI community.

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.

Carol Becker McGaugh Award. This award is given to a junior with outstanding research in the area of neurobiology of learning and memory.

Robert Ernst Prize for Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences. This prize is awarded to a student for meritorious research conducted in the field of biology.

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.

M. Marlene Godoy Award. This award is given to support a graduating senior in the Biological Sciences who is pre-medical or pre-dental. The recipient is one who is actively involved with philanthropic community service, University service, and in undergraduate 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.

Leadership Scholars Program. This program was established by the Dean's Leadership Council for the School of Biological Sciences. The scholarship will support Biological Sciences majors who demonstrate academic and personal commitment to the School, University, and their local community.

Michael and Judy Leon Award. This award was established to support an exceptional Biological Sciences major who is graduating and has been accepted into a Ph.D. program (or has great likelihood of acceptance).

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 a graduate 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 graduate 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.