2024-25 Edition

Genetics, B.S.

Genetics pervades every aspect of modern society, from newspaper articles to talk shows, from discussions on health care to discussions on cloning. With the sequencing of the human genome, it is more important than ever for biology students to have a broad background in the study of heredity and evolution. The Genetics major is designed to benefit motivated undergraduates who have a particular interest in learning about developmental genetics, evolutionary genetics, and molecular genetics and to allow them to explore how our knowledge of genetic mechanisms contributes to our understanding of human development and disease. The Genetics major will accommodate students interested in the study of inheritance either as a basic discipline or in terms of its applied aspects in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture, but will be especially attractive to those students desiring focused study and preparation for graduate training.

Genetics majors begin their study in the junior year with three required major courses (BIO SCI D103 , BIO SCI D104  and BIO SCI D113 ). In addition to these required major courses, students will choose six additional upper-division Biology Elective courses. Certain courses are designed to give students an understanding of genetic mechanisms and teach them how to define and answer fundamental questions in biomedical research. Additionally, students choose at least two electives that deal with topics such as the molecular biology of cancer, human genetic diseases, developmental genetics, and the genetics of aging. Finally, Genetics majors are encouraged to explore laboratory research by enrolling in BIO SCI 199 . Laboratory research not only expands a student’s technical skills, but is also designed to allow faculty members to mentor Genetics majors. All students majoring in Genetics have a faculty advisor with whom they meet at least quarterly. The faculty advisor helps students plan their curriculum and select appropriate Biological Sciences 199 research projects. Genetics majors also have an opportunity to meet with other Genetics majors on a regular basis and participate in research talks.

The Genetics major provides graduates with advanced training in the skills necessary to pursue graduate degrees in biomedical research. These include Ph.D. graduate programs, teacher-training programs, medical school, and veterinary school. Genetics graduates may also use their backgrounds effectively in planning careers in law, business, education, and public affairs.

Application Process to Declare the Major: The major in Genetics is open to junior- and senior-level students only.  Applications to declare the major can be made at the end of spring quarter, after all change of major requirements have been satisfied. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria. 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 D113 Genetics Majors Seminar
B. Upper-Division Laboratories:
Select three of the following: 1
Developmental and Cell Biology Laboratory
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 two of the following:
Introduction to Precision Medicine
Eukaryotic and Human Genetics
Genomics, Development, and Medicine
Microbial Genetics
Select one from the following:
Advances in Regenerative Medicine
Cell Biology of Human Disease
Eukaryotic and Human Genetics
Functional and Structural Evolutionary Genomics
Developmental Neurobiology
Select three from the following:
Cell, Developmental, and Molecular Biology of Plants
Photomedicine
Human Anatomy
Applied Human Anatomy
Topics in Developmental and Cell Biology
Human Physiology
Advanced Biochemistry
Advanced Molecular Biology
Molecular Biology of Cancer
Human Parasitology
Cell Organelles and Membranes
Neurobiology and Behavior
Neurobiology of Aging
Molecular Neurobiology

NOTE: No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement.

1

Students may petition to substitute Excellence in Research (BIO SCI 199) for two upper-division laboratories; 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 Genetics 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. 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 93BIO SCI 94CHEM 1C- 1LC
BIO SCI 93LBIO SCI 94LSTATS 7, 8, or MATH 5A (or General Education)
CHEM 1ACHEM 1BLower-Division Writing1
BIO SCI 2ALower-Division Writing1 
Sophomore
Fall Winter Spring
BIO SCI 97BIO SCI 98BIO SCI 99
CHEM 51ACHEM 51B- 51LBCHEM 51C- 51LC
CHEM 1LDGeneral EducationSTATS 7, 8, MATH 2D, or MATH 3A (or General Education)
MATH 5A or 5B  
Junior
Fall Winter Spring
BIO SCI D103BIO SCI D104UD Bio Sci Elective
PHYSICS 3APHYSICS 3BUD Bio Sci Elective
BIO SCI 100PHYSICS 3LBPHYSICS 3C
General EducationUD Bio Sci ElecivePHYSICS 3LC
 BIO SCI D113 
 General Education 
Senior
Fall Winter Spring
UD Bio Sci Lab or BIO SCI 199UD Bio Sci Lab or BIO SCI 199UD Bio Sci Lab or BIO SCI 199
UD Bio Sci ElectiveUD Bio Sci ElectiveUD Bio Sci Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education
1

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.