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.
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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 93 | BIO SCI 94 | CHEM 1C- 1LC |
| BIO SCI 93L | BIO SCI 94L | STATS 7, 8, or MATH 5A (or General Education) |
| CHEM 1A | CHEM 1B | Lower-Division Writing1 |
| BIO SCI 2A | Lower-Division Writing1 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 97 | BIO SCI 98 | BIO SCI 99 |
| CHEM 51A | CHEM 51B- 51LB | CHEM 51C- 51LC |
| CHEM 1LD | General Education | STATS 7, 8, MATH 2D, or MATH 3A (or General Education) |
| MATH 5A or 5B | ||
| Junior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI D103 | BIO SCI D104 | UD Bio Sci Elective |
| PHYSICS 3A | PHYSICS 3B | UD Bio Sci Elective |
| BIO SCI 100 | PHYSICS 3LB | PHYSICS 3C |
| General Education | UD Bio Sci Elecive | PHYSICS 3LC |
| BIO SCI D113 | ||
| General Education | ||
| Senior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| UD Bio Sci Lab or BIO SCI 199 | UD Bio Sci Lab or BIO SCI 199 | UD Bio Sci Lab or BIO SCI 199 |
| UD Bio Sci Elective | UD Bio Sci Elective | UD Bio Sci Elective |
| General Education | 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.