Developmental and Cell Biology

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.

Admission

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.

Requirements

All students must meet the University Requirements.

All students must meet the School Requirements.

Major Requirements

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 the second required upper-division laboratory (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.

Sample Program

Freshman

Fall	Winter	Spring
BIO SCI 2A	BIO SCI 94	CHEM 1C& CHEM 1LC
BIO SCI 93	CHEM 1B	STATS 7 (or Math 5A or General Education)
BIO SCI 90L	Lower-Division Writing1	Lower-Division Writing1
CHEM 1A

Sophomore

Fall	Winter	Spring
BIO SCI 97	BIO SCI 98	BIO SCI 99
CHEM 51A	CHEM 51B& CHEM 51LB	CHEM 51C& CHEM 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

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.