See the individual majors for additional comprehensive requirements specific to each major. More detailed information is available on the undergraduate web site.

Letter Grade Policy

For all students entering UCSC in fall 2001 and later, all courses used to satisfy any of the biological sciences majors must be taken for a letter grade.

Major Disqualification Policy

The biological sciences departments have adopted a major disqualification policy that is intended to encourage students to take their performance in the introductory biology sequence seriously and to make a strong effort to pass the introductory courses.

Students who receive more than one No Pass, D, and/or F in the combined three-quarter sequence of Biology 20A, 20B, and 20C will not be permitted to take any other course in that sequence or to major in any of the biological sciences majors. Students who receive more than one No Pass, D, and/or F in course 20L, Experimental Biology Laboratory, will not be permitted to enroll again in course 20L nor to major in any of the biological sciences majors. In addition, students will not be permitted to enroll in any upper-division biology course in which they have received more than one No Pass, D, and/or F.

Students may appeal their disqualification within the appeal period by submitting a letter to the biological sciences undergraduate adviser. This appeal must be filed no later than 15 days from the date the disqualification notification was mailed, or the 10th day of classes in the quarter of their disqualification, whichever is later. The advising office will subsequently notify the student, the college, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision, no later than 15 days after the filing of the appeal.

A student who has been disqualified from the major may, no earlier than three months from the date of the disqualification, petition to be reinstated. This application will be considered only if there is substantial new evidence that the student is capable of making normal progress in the major.

This policy took effect in fall 1997 and applies to all biological science majors, regardless of when they declared their major or first enrolled, based on performance in courses taken in fall quarter 1997 or after. A No Pass, D, or F received prior to fall 1997 will not count against a student, but any No Pass, D, or F received for fall 1997 or later will count under this policy.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is available at the biological sciences undergraduate advising office. Students should take full advantage of this opportunity and should keep in frequent touch with the office to stay informed about late announcements of courses, changes in scheduling, and opportunities for special study.

The advising office publishes the Biological Sciences Undergraduate web site, which contains substantial advice and information pertinent to students' most frequently voiced questions. Each student in the major should review the information posted on the web site; for further assistance, contact the advising office.

Transfer Students

The faculty encourages applications from transfer students in the biological sciences. It is very important for transfer students to complete science prerequisite courses before transfer, especially precalculus and general chemistry. Students should also take an introductory biology sequence, calculus, and, if possible, organic chemistry. Transfer students who have completed an entire introductory biology sequence with laboratory are considered to have completed equivalent material to Biology 20A, 20B, and 20C. Prospective transfer students should review the transfer guidelines at http://www.biology.ucsc .edu or contact the undergraduate advising office for further information.

Sample Schedule Planners

Plan One is for freshmen placing into Chemistry 1A, Mathematics 3, and Biology 3.

Plan Two is for freshmen placing into Chemistry 1A, Mathematics 11A, and Biology 20.

Plan Two
Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	Chem 1A Math 11A core	Chem 1B/M Math 11B gen ed	Chem 1C/N Biol 20A gen ed
2nd (soph)	Chem 108A/L Biol 20B gen ed	Chem 108B/M Biol 20C gen ed	Biol 100 Biol 105 gen ed

Plan Three is for freshmen placing into Chemistry 1B, Mathematics 11A and Biology 20, starting the introductory sequence with Biology 20A.

Plan Three
Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	Chem 1B/M Math 11A core	Chem 1C/N Biol 20A gen ed	Math 11B Biol 20B gen ed
2nd (soph)	Chem 108A/L Biol 20C gen ed	Chem 108B/M elective gen ed	Biol 105 Biol 100 gen ed

Plan Four is for freshmen placing into Chemistry 1B, Mathematics 11A and Biology 20, starting the introductory sequence with Biology 20C.

Plan Four
Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	Chem 1B/M Biol 20C core	Chem 1C/N Math 11A Biol 20A	Math 11B Biol 20B gen ed
2nd (soph)	Chem 108A/L Biol 105 gen ed	Chem 108B/M elective gen ed	elective Biol 100 gen ed

Plan Five is for freshmen with AP credit or desiring a more challenging schedule.

Plan Five
Year	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st (frsh)	Chem 1B/M Math 11A core	Chem 1C/N Math 11B Biol 21A	Math 22 Biol 20B gen ed
2nd (soph)	Chem 112A/L Biol 105 gen ed	Chem 112B/M Biol 206 gen ed	Chem 112C/N Biol 100 gen ed

Graduate Programs

The Biological Sciences Departments have two graduate programs offering doctorate and master's degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology and molecular, cell, and developmental biology.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The graduate program in ecology and evolutionary (EE) biology at UC Santa Cruz is one of the premier programs in the country. This is due to the quality and commitment of the faculty, the long-standing tradition of the University of California, and the unique environment of the Santa Cruz campus. UC Santa Cruz has been singularly blessed with varied and easily accessible marine and terrestrial resources for research. UCSC is ideal for marine research-having its own marine laboratory, a fleet of boats, and one of the most active scientific diving programs in the country. In close proximity to pinniped rookeries at the UC Reserve at Año Nuevo, the campus is located on Monterey Bay, which has the largest concentration of marine research programs in the country. In addition to state-of-the-art departmental laboratories, students have full access to the Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics (MEEG) facility and other analytical laboratories of the UCSC Institute of Marine Sciences.

Terrestrial biologists have access to all of California's natural environments through the University of California's Natural Reserve System; the diverse habitats on UCSC's 2,000-acre campus itself (mixed redwood forest, fossil sand dune associations, rolling pasture land, and chaparral) and on several adjacent preserves; the UCSC experimental Farm and Garden; extensive Southern Hemisphere plantings in the UCSC Arboretum; and greenhouses and associated laboratory facilities. More than two-thirds of our faculty participate in field studies throughout the Pacific Basin (from Alaska to Antarctica), in Pacific Rim nations (in Latin America, the Far East, and Australia), and beyond.

The program in ecology and evolutionary biology is comprised of four core tracks: (1) population and community ecology, (2) evolutionary biology, (3) physiology and behavior including marine and terrestrial animals, and (4) systematics and biodiversity.

Degree Requirements for the Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Ph.D. Requirements
Students must take Biology 250A and 250B in the first year. Biology 279 must be taken fall quarter of the first year; Biology 293 is required four quarters thereafter. Biology 294 must be taken every quarter that the student is in residence. Each Ph.D. student must complete at least two quarters as a teaching assistant during their graduate career.

During fall of the second year, students take a comprehensive examination. This is a two-part exam, written and oral, the goal of which is to examine the student's breadth and depth of knowledge of evolution, ecology, physiology, behavior, organismal, and general biology. A committee is comprised of four examiners selected by each student and his/her supervisor. Each student's area of research, together with the stated goal of the exam, should guide the composition of his/her committee.

During the sixth term, the student submits a dissertation research proposal to his/her dissertation committee and must defend it in a three-hour oral examination before the dissertation committee. The student advances to candidacy only after completing all course work, passing the written and oral portions of the comprehensive examination, writing and defending a dissertation research proposal, and presenting a candidacy seminar on his/her proposed research.

The student must submit his/her doctoral dissertation to the dissertation committee for tentative approval at least 60 days before presenting a formal, public doctoral research seminar. Also, the student must meet with the dissertation committee to defend the thesis at least one week prior to the public seminar. Before the dissertation is accepted for signature by the dissertation committee, at least one chapter must be submitted as a paper (not an abstract) to a refereed journal for publication.

M.A. Requirements
In addition to course work identified by the advisory committee or adviser, each student will be required to take Biology 279, two quarters of Biology 293, Biology 294 and the appropriate lab course when in residence at the university (not in the field), and Biology 297, as needed, to come up with 15 credits. Biology 250A and 250B are recommended but not required.

The student must submit his/her thesis draft to the thesis committee for tentative approval at least 60 days before presenting a formal, public research seminar. Also, the student must meet with the thesis committee to defend the thesis at least one week prior to the public seminar. At that time, the committee may sign the cover page of the student's dissertation.

There is no requirement, but it is highly recommended, that at least one thesis chapter be submitted as a paper (not an abstract) to a refereed journal for publication.

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

The program in molecular, cell, and developmental (MCD) biology leads to either the Ph.D. or the M.A. and is designed to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and biotechnology. Current research in MCD biology focuses on such topics as the structure and function of RNA, gene expression, signaling, cell division, development, and pathogenesis. A unique focus of the department is the Center for the Molecular Biology of RNA.

Degree Requirements for the Program in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

Ph.D. and master's students complete the graduate core courses, Biology 200A, 200B, and 200C, in the first year. Additional undergraduate courses required to strengthen the student's background may be assigned by the advisory committee during the initial advising meeting. Typically, these courses are Biochemistry 100A and Biology 115. Students are required to participate in lab research meetings and departmental seminar series every quarter.

First-year Ph.D. students complete three 10-week laboratory rotations. Students choose their rotation laboratories in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Committee. The lab rotations give students a chance to learn about the diverse fields and methods of inquiry and to interact with members of the department. At the end of each quarter, students present a short talk to the department on their rotation project. At the end of spring quarter, students consult with rotation faculty to identify a permanent thesis laboratory.

Second-year Ph.D. students are required to submit two proposals-one on their proposed thesis work and a second on an unrelated MCDB research topic. The Ph.D. Qualifying Exam, taken in spring quarter of the second year, is an oral examination before a committee comprised of three internal reviewers and one external reviewer. Once the qualifying exam is passed, students, in conjunction with their faculty adviser, select a committee to consult with in the development of their thesis. This committee monitors the student's progress and ultimately approves the final draft of the student's dissertation. In spring of the third year, students are advanced to candidacy following presentation of their research to the department in a seminar.

Ph.D. requirements

• Completion of thesis research resulting in a dissertation of individual work
  
  
• Completion of any advanced graduate course work required by Graduate Advisory Committee
  
  
• Completion of two quarters in two different courses of service as a teaching assistant
  
  
• Completion of two graduate-level electives
  
  
• Presentation of thesis defense in departmental seminar

M.A. requirements
Acceptance to the master's program requires a faculty sponsor. Interested applicants must contact faculty directly and procure sponsorship before beginning the application process.

• Graduate core courses
  
  
• Write a master's thesis based on original research
  
  
• Defend thesis in a departmental seminar

The general biology majors permit flexibility, but demand careful attention to one's own interests and plans. Each student should select courses on the basis of up-to-date information in consultation with a biology faculty adviser whose interests reflect the student's interests.

General Biology B.A. Major Requirements

Introductory Requirements

• Biology 20A, 20B, and 20C
  
  
• Chemistry 1B/M and 1C/N
  
  
• Chemistry 108A/L and 108B/M or 112A/L, 112B/M, and 112C/N
  
  
• Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B
  
  
• Physics 7A/L and 7B/M or two courses with laboratories from the Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N sequence

Advanced Requirements

A total of eight upper-division biology courses, as follows:

• 100, Biochemistry; or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A, 100B, and 100C, Biochemistry (Upon completion of the series, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100C may be used to satisfy one elective.)
  
  
• 105, Genetics
  
  
• 175, Evolution
  
  
• Students must complete one upper-division biology course that includes regular laboratory or fieldwork.
  
  
• Students must fulfill the major distribution requirement, which includes one course from each of the following groups:

  Cell/developmental biology: 110, 111, 115, 117A, 119, 119L, 120, 120L
  
  Physiology: 113, 125, 130/L, 131/L, 132, 133/L, 135/L, 166
  
  Ecology: 136/L, 138/L, 140, 145L, 150, 152, 160, 160L, 161, 161L, 169, 169L, 171

General Biology B.S. Major Requirements

The requirements for the biology B.S. follow a similar pattern to those for the biology B.A., but are more rigorous to ensure a stronger level of scientific preparation. Students need to follow the requirements below to complete the B.S. program (differences with the B.A. program are noted):

Introductory Requirements

• Biology 20A, 20B, and 20C
  
  
• Chemistry 1B/M and IC/N (same as for B.A.)
  
  
• Chemistry 108A/L and 108B/M or Chemistry 112A/L, 112B/M, and 112C/N
  
  
• Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B and 22 (one additional calculus course required for the B.S.)
  
  
• Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N (Physics 7A/B option does not apply for the B.S.)
  
  
• Advanced Requirements
  
  

A total of nine upper-division biology courses are required (two additional courses for B.S.), including two upper-division laboratory courses (one additional upper-division laboratory course for B.S.).

General Biology Minor Requirements

In addition to the introductory biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics (as listed above), students are required to take a total of five upper-division biology courses including courses 100, 105, and the three distribution requirement courses; one must include a laboratory. There is no senior comprehensive requirement for the minor. Please contact the Biological Sciences undergraduate Advising Office for further information.

Ecology and Evolution Major

Program Description

The ecology and evolution major provides students with interdisciplinary skills necessary for understanding and solving complex problems in ecology, evolution, behavior, and physiology. While some of these disciplines focus on molecular or chemical mechanisms, they all address questions on larger spatial and temporal scales that can be applied to important environmental problems, including genetic and ecological aspects of conservation biology and biodiversity.

Students majoring in ecology and evolution will receive a B.S. degree based on an integrated series of courses providing breadth in fundamental areas of biology and allied sciences that enhance understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes. The curriculum also recommends depth in one of four areas of concentration. The capstone of this curriculum is a suite of field courses providing students unique opportunities to learn and conduct research in a host of ecological systems. Students are encouraged to take field courses in their areas of specialization. Other opportunities include participation in research projects with faculty sponsors and the intensive Education Abroad Programs in Costa Rica (tropical biology) and Australia (marine sciences).

Ecology and Evolution B.S. Major Requirements

Introductory Requirements

Advanced Requirements
A total of nine upper-division courses; two must include laboratory or fieldwork.

100, Biochemistry, or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A, 100B, and 100C, Biochemistry (Upon completion of the series, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100C may be used to satisfy one elective.)
105, Genetics
150, Ecology
175, Evolution

110, Cell Biology
131/L, Animal Physiology/Laboratory
132, Comparative Physiology of Vertebrates
133/L, Exercise Physiology/Laboratory
166, Plant Physiology

119/L, Microbiology/Laboratory
136/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
138/L, Biology and Ecology of Vertebrates/Laboratory
168/L, Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants/ Laboratory
170/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory

Biology 107/L, 110, 119, 119L, 120, 120L, 131/L, 132, 133/L, 136/L, 137/L, 138/L, 139/L, 140, 141L, 142, 143/L, 144/L, 145L, 152, 160, 160L, 161, 161L, 163, 166, 168/L, 169, 169L, 170/L, 171, 176/L, 187L; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100C

Ecology and Evolution Concentrations

In addition to the six upper-division courses listed above (four core courses, physiology, organism-type course), students must take at least three additional upper-division courses, including a field or laboratory methods course. Students wishing to concentrate on ecology, behavioral ecology, physiological ecology, or evolution should, at a minimum, take the following additional courses. All students who anticipate going to graduate school and taking the GRE should consider taking course 110, Cell Biology.

Behavioral Ecology

One methods course (e.g., 141, Ecological Field Methods; 143/L, Herpetology/Laboratory; or 144/L, Ornithology/Field Studies)

140, Behavioral Ecology

Electives

Advanced Requirements

A total of eight upper-division biology courses, as follows:

100, Biochemistry; or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A, 100B, and 100C, Biochemistry
105, Genetics,
110, Cell Biology,
130/L, Human Physiology/Laboratory

111, Immunology
113, Mammalian Endocrinology
114, Cancer Cell Biology
115 Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
119 Microbiology
120 Development
125 Neuroscience
126 Advanced Neural Development
132 Comparative Physiology of Vertebrates
133 Exercise Physiology
135/L Anatomy of the Human Body/Laboratory
188 Advanced Women's Health

Health Sciences B.S. Major Planners

The following is a recommended academic plan for students to complete during their first two years as preparation for the health sciences major. Plan One is for students committed to the major.

Plan One

Marine Biology Major

Program Description

UCSC is situated within five miles of Monterey Bay and its great diversity of coastal marine ecosystems; nature reserves; state, federal, and private marine research institutions and resource management agencies. These resources, combined with on-campus computing and analytical facilities and the Long Marine Laboratory, make UCSC an exceptional campus for the study of marine biology and its application to coastal conservation and management. Descriptions of nearby environments, institutions, and facilities are available through the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department web site.

The marine biology major is designed to introduce students to marine organisms and the biological and physical processes that affect these organisms, their populations, and their coastal and oceanic ecosystems. The emphasis is on basic principles that help us understand the processes that shape life in marine environments. The marine biology major is a demanding program that offers a B.S. degree and requires several more courses than the general biology B.A. major.

Marine Biology B.S. Major Requirements

Introductory Requirements

The lower-division course requirements are designed to provide a good introduction to biology as well as the foundation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics fundamental to the study of biology.

Advanced Requirements

Biology

105L, Eukaryotic Genetics Laboratory
105M, Microbial Genetics Laboratory
107/L, Population Genetics/Laboratory
110, Cell Biology
119, Microbiology
119L, Microbiology Laboratory
120, Development
120L, Development Laboratory
125, Neuroscience
131/L, Animal Physiology/Laboratory
132, Comparative Physiology of Vertebrates
133/L, Exercise Physiology/Laboratory
136/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
137/L, Ichthyology/Laboratory
138/L, Biology and Ecology of the Vertebrates/Laboratory
139/L, Biology of Marine Mammals/Laboratory
140, Behavioral Ecology
141L, Ecological Field Methods
142, Ocean Ecosystems
144/L, Ornithology/Field Study
145L, Behavioral Ecology Field Course
150, Ecology
152, Community Ecology
158, Ecology of Reefs, Mangroves, and Sea Grasses
160, Marine Ecology
160L, Marine Ecology/Laboratory
161, Kelp Forest Ecology
161L, Kelp Forest Ecology Laboratory
163, Marine Conservation Biology
166, Plant Physiology
170/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
171, Marine Microbial Ecology
176/L, Molecular Ecology and Evolution/Laboratory
187L, Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory

Advanced Requirements

A total of nine upper-division biology courses, as follows:

100, Biochemistry; or Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology 100A, 100B, and 100C, Biochemistry (Upon completion of the series, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100C may be used to satisfy one elective.)
105, Genetics
110, Cell Biology
115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology

111, Immunology
113, Mammalian Endocrinology
114, Cancer Cell Biology
119, Microbiology
120, Development
125, Neuroscience
130/L, Human Physiology/Laboratory
166, Plant Physiology
175, Evolution

100L, Biochemistry Laboratory
105L, Eukaryotic Genetics Laboratory
105M, Microbial Genetics Laboratory
109L, Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory
116L, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology Laboratory
119L, Microbiology Laboratory
120L, Development Laboratory
128L, C. elegans Neural Genetics Laboratory
130/L, Human Physiology/Laboratory
185/L Hughes Undergraduate Research/Laboratory
186/L Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology/Laboratory
187L, Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
110, Biochemistry Laboratory

*Biology 130/L meets either one lecture or one laboratory requirement, but not both.

Neuroscience and Behavior Majors

Program Description

Neuroscience, the study of the nervous system and behavior of animals, is a frontier area in biology, touching psychology on the one hand and computer science on the other.

The neuroscience and behavior majors provide students with rigorous preparation for graduate studies and research in the fields of neuroscience and behavior. The brain and determinants of behavior are studied at all levels, from biological molecules to individual nerve cells to functioning organisms to social behavior. The majors emphasize the interrelationship between the two fields, building on a common core of general and biological science course work. Students select a pathway in either behavior or molecular neuroscience. Rigorous course work is supplemented by opportunities for hands-on laboratory and field courses and independent research.

Neuroscience and Behavior B.A. Major Requirements

Introductory Course Requirements

Advanced Course Requirements

Five upper-division core courses to include

105, Genetics
175, Evolution
166, Plant Physiology