University of California, Los Angeles College of Letters and Science 245 courses
The Biology major is designed for students with a broad interest in biology who desire to pursue careers in a wide range of biological and related fields. It provides students with excellent background preparation for postgraduate training in medicine and other health sciences, in tracks leading to academic and public service careers in biology, in biological industries, and even in nonbiological careers such as business, agriculture, and law. Emphasis is on breadth of training to expose students to all levels of modern biology.
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Chemistry
Select one series from:
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Chemistry: Chemistry 14 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Chemistry: Chemistry 20 and 30 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Life Sciences
Complete the following four courses:
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Mathematics
Select one series from:
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Mathematics: Life Science 30 series
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIFESCI 30A | Mathematics for Life Scientists | 5 |
| LIFESCI 30B | Mathematics for Life Scientists | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Mathematics: Mathematics 3 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Mathematics: Mathematics 31 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Statistics
Select one course from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIFESCI 40 | Statistics of Biological Systems | 5 |
| STATS 13 | Introduction to Statistical Methods for Life and Health Sciences | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Physics
Select one series from:
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Physics: Physics 1 series
Preparation for the Major: Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Physics: Physics 5 series
The Major
Complete two courses from each of the following principles, for a total of 10 courses:
The Major: Evolution and Genetics
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 120 is not open for credit to students with credit for course 185.
The Major: Information Flow
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 120 is not open for credit to students with credit for course 185. Physiological Science 166 is not open for credit for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 170. Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 100L and 101 must be taken together to satisfy requirement.
The Major: Structure Function
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 120 is not open for credit to students with credit for course 185. Physiological Science 166 is not open for credit for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 170. Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 100L and 101 must be taken together to satisfy requirement.
The Major: Transformations of Energy and Matter
Physiological Science 166 not open for credit for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 170.
The Major: Systems
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 120 is not open for credit to students with credit for course 185. Physiological Science 166 is not open for credit for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 170. Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 100L and 101 must be taken together to satisfy requirement.
Field Biology
The department offers three quarter-long programs of advanced courses in field biology: the Field Biology Quarter (FBQ), the Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ), and the joint Field Marine Biology Quarter (FMBQ). These programs focus on the biology of organisms living in their natural environments, emphasize independent student research projects, and take place at field sites away from the UCLA campus. The course composition varies somewhat from year to year, but each program always carries 16 units of course credit. The Field and Marine Biology quarters may occur during fall, winter, or spring quarter, depending on location and faculty participation. To participate, students must enroll in all courses in the respective program. Participants in both programs are selected by personal interview. Information and applications are available in the Undergraduate Advising Office.
Field Biology: Field Biology Quarter (FBQ)
The Field Biology Quarter involves some combination of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 113B | Field Herpetology | 8 |
| EE BIOL 114B | Field Ornithology | 8 |
| EE BIOL 124A | Field Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 124B | Field Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL C126 | Behavioral Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 132 | Field Behavioral Ecology | 8 |
| EE BIOL 151B | Field Tropical Ecology | 8 |
Field Biology: Marine Biology Quarter
The Marine Biology Quarter includes some combination of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 102 | Biology of Marine Invertebrates | 4 |
| EE BIOL 106 | Experimental Marine Invertebrate Biology | 4 or 6 |
| EE BIOL 123A | Field Marine Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 123B | Field Marine Ecology | 4 or 8 |
| EE BIOL 148 | Biology of Marine Plants | 4 |
Honors Program
An overall grade-point average of 3.4 and a 3.4 in the major are required for graduation with honors. Highest honors are awarded to majors who have a GPA of 3.6 overall and a 3.6 in the major at graduation and who have successfully completed Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 198A and 198B. Students do not need to apply for departmental honors. All students are reviewed for honors.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EE BIOL 198A | Honors Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
| EE BIOL 198B | Honors Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
Computing Specialization
Majors may select a specialization in Computing by satisfying all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the specified major and completing the following courses. A grade of C– or better is required in each course, with a combined grade-point average in the specialization of at least 2.0. Students must petition for admission to the program and are advised to do so after completing Program in Computing 10B (petitions should be filed in the Undergraduate Advising Office). Students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in their major and a specialization in Computing.
Computing Specialization: Program in Computing
Complete the following three courses and Program in Computing 30 and 60:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMPTNG 10A | Introduction to Programming | 5 |
| COMPTNG 10B | Intermediate Programming | 4 |
| COMPTNG 10C | Advanced Programming | 5 |
Computing Specialization: Additional Course
Select one course from:
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
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