Developmental and Cell Biology, B.S.
The Developmental and Cell Biology major is intended to provide students with intensive training in cutting edge approaches to understanding the structure and function of cells and how they interact to produce a complex organism, starting with a fertilized egg. The focus of the B.S. in Developmental and Cell Biology is to provide students with intensive training aimed at preparing them for graduate programs in modern Developmental and Cell Biology or other biomedical sciences. In-depth training in the molecular basis of cell and developmental biology will be coupled with integrating knowledge obtained from the recent explosive advances in genomic technology to provide a strong working understanding of how to approach problems in basic research.
The major has distinctive features. The first is a reduction in the number of required courses, allowing students the opportunity to focus more deeply on training in Developmental and Cell Biology. The second is the implementation of a new course in Genomic and Proteomic analysis that is closely tied to problems in genetics, developmental, and cell biology. Understanding the connections among these disciplines and how to apply the appropriate tools for defining and answering fundamental questions in biomedical research is a critical tool for success in research. Another distinctive feature of the major is the opportunity to replace two upper-division laboratory courses with mentored BIO SCI 199 individual research in faculty laboratories. This offers students the opportunity to apply the tools they have acquired during formal course work to current problems at the frontiers of research. Lastly, students majoring in Developmental and Cell Biology have faculty advisors with whom they meet at least quarterly. The faculty advisors help students plan their curriculum, select appropriate 199 projects and sponsoring labs, and as a group grant petitions and certify the degree. The combination of new upper-division courses, more flexibility in the curriculum, the option for mentored research, and close interaction with faculty advisors will help the Developmental and Cell Biology majors to develop an appreciation of the nature of research and establish a strong foundation for future success in graduate or professional schools.
Application Process to Declare the Major: The major in Developmental and Cell Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major can be made at any time. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
| A. Required Major Courses: | |
| BIO SCI D103 | Cell Biology |
| BIO SCI D104 | Developmental Biology |
| BIO SCI D114 | Developmental and Cell Biology Majors Seminar |
| BIO SCI D145 | Genomics, Development, and Medicine |
| B. Upper-Division Laboratories: | |
| BIO SCI D111L | Developmental and Cell Biology Laboratory |
| and select two of the following: 1 | |
| Habitats and Organisms | |
| Physiology Laboratory | |
| Evolution Laboratory | |
| Image Analysis in Biological Research | |
| Evolution and the Environment Laboratory | |
| Biology of Birds Lab | |
| Field Biology | |
| Field Freshwater Ecology | |
| Biochemistry Laboratory | |
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | |
| Experimental Microbiology Laboratory | |
| Advanced Immunology Laboratory | |
| Neurobiology Laboratory | |
| C. Upper-Division Biology Electives: | |
| Select one of the following: | |
| Human Anatomy | |
| Eukaryotic and Human Genetics | |
| Applied Human Anatomy | |
| and select one of the following: | |
| Advances in Regenerative Medicine | |
| Cell Biology of Human Disease | |
| Topics in Developmental and Cell Biology | |
| Cell Organelles and Membranes | |
| and select three of the following: | |
| Cell, Developmental, and Molecular Biology of Plants | |
| Photomedicine | |
| Introduction to Precision Medicine | |
| Advances in Regenerative Medicine | |
| Human Anatomy | |
| Eukaryotic and Human Genetics | |
| Applied Human Anatomy | |
| Human Physiology | |
| Advanced Biochemistry | |
| Advanced Molecular Biology | |
| Molecular Biology of Cancer | |
| Microbial Genetics | |
| Human Parasitology | |
| Cell Organelles and Membranes | |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | |
| Neurobiology of Aging | |
| Neuropharmacology | |
| Molecular Neurobiology | |
NOTE: No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
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Students may petition to substitute Excellence in Research (BIO SCI 199) for two upper-division laboratories (other than BIO SCI D111L); 199 research is strongly encouraged. The 199 laboratory must be approved by the Department, and Excellence in Research must be successfully completed. Final approval is given by the Department.
Application Process to Declare the Major: The major in Developmental and Cell Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major can be made at any time. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 93 | BIO SCI 94 | CHEM 1C- 1LC |
| BIO SCI 93L | BIO SCI 94L | STATS 7 (or Math 5A or General Education) |
| CHEM 1A | CHEM 1B | Lower-Division Writing1 |
| BIO SCI 2A | Lower-Division Writing1 | |
| General Education | ||
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 97 | BIO SCI 98 | BIO SCI 99 |
| CHEM 51A | CHEM 51B- 51LB | CHEM 51C- 51LC |
| CHEM 1LD | MATH 5B (or General Education) | General Education |
| MATH 5A or 5B | ||
| Junior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI D103 | BIO SCI D104 | PHYSICS 3C |
| PHYSICS 3A | PHYSICS 3B | PHYSICS 3LC |
| BIO SCI 100 | PHYSICS 3LB | BIO SCI D114 |
| General Education | BIO SCI D145 | UD Bio Sci Elective |
| General Education | ||
| Senior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI D111L | BIO SCI 199 or UD Bio Sci Lab | UD Bio Sci Lab or UD Bio Sci Elective |
| BIO SCI 199 or UD Bio Sci Lab | UD Bio Sci Elective | UD Bio Sci Elective |
| UD Bio Sci Elective | BIO SCI 199 or General Education | BIO SCI 199 or General Education |
| General Education | ||
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Students have the option of taking HUMAN 1AS, HUMAN 1BS, HUMAN 1CS or WRITING 40, WRITING 50, WRITING 60 in order to fulfill the lower-division writing requirement.