Information and Policies
Introduction
Biology has entered into an exciting new era in which phenomena that once seemed insoluble mysteries—such as embryonic development, the functions of the brain, and the dynamics of ecosystems—are now yielding their secrets as the technology to study them becomes more and more sophisticated. From molecular biology, with its potential to revolutionize medicine and agriculture, to ecology, with its lessons for the sustainable management of the environment, biologists are fully engaged in meeting the challenges of the future, helping to improve the quality of human life, and to preserve habitats and biodiversity. Thus, it is no surprise that biology is at the heart of many of today’s most pressing intellectual and social concerns. The Biology B.S. degree program gives students a rigorous education in modern biology, while allowing a student the opportunity to select from a wide array of upper-division elective courses offered by the departments of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. With proper advance planning, a student with virtually any degree can prepare a competitive application for medical school or health care professional school. Check the Health Careers webpage for more information on how you can academically prepare for a career in health care. Additional information is available at the UCSC Career Center.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Biology major will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology are used to elucidate both the function of cells and their organization into tissues.
- Recognize that biology has a basis in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Describe how scientific method is used to explain natural phenomena.
- Use effective oral and written language skills to communicate scientific data and ideas.
- Understand safe laboratory practices and perform basic molecular biology techniques.
- Generate hypotheses, evaluate data, and design experiments to investigate a scientific problem.
- Present broad knowledge in biochemistry, genetics, evolutionary biology, cell biology, developmental biology, physiology, and ecology.
Academic Advising for the Program
Students should take full advantage of academic advising and should keep in frequent contact with the advisors to stay informed about late announcements of courses, changes in scheduling, and opportunities for special study. Transfer students should also consult the Transfer Information and Policy Section. For additional advice and information:
MCD Advising
389 Thimann Labs
mcdadvising@ucsc.edu
Getting Started in the Major: Frosh
Prerequisites
Due to the demanding nature of the major, students must begin their science coursework as early as possible. MATH 11A or MATH 16A or MATH 19A; CHEM 3A, CHEM 3B, CHEM 3C, and CHEM 8A; and BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, and BIOL 20L must be completed before the major declaration deadline for students to qualify for admission to MCD biology-sponsored majors. For an overview of prerequisites and getting started in the major, please visit our biology B.S. site.
An online mathematics placement examination is required to enroll in a math course. Biological science majors are expected to take this examination and are encouraged to work in the learning modules until they place into calculus. For more information see the mathematics placement website.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
MCD Biology encourages applications from transfer students in the biological sciences. The department has a major qualification policy that limits access to the program to students who have successfully completed a subset of foundational coursework. Transfer students are held to similar criteria when being assessed for admission to UCSC as an MCD-sponsored major. See qualifying for the major as a transfer applicant for more information.
To be considered for admission as a biology B.S. major, transfer students must complete the following courses or their equivalents prior to transfer, by the end of the spring term for students planning to enter in the fall.
One of these groups
| | Either these courses | |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 1C | General Chemistry | 5 |
| | or these courses | |
| CHEM 3A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 3B | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3C | General Chemistry | 3 |
| | or these courses | |
| CHEM 4A | Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
| CHEM 4B | Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
Plus all of these courses
Plus, one of the following calculus courses:
| MATH 11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 16A | Mathematics for Life and Environmental Sciences | 5 |
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
In addition, the following courses are recommended prior to transfer to ensure timely graduation.
One of the following courses
| MATH 11B | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 16B | Mathematics for Life and Environmental Sciences | 5 |
| MATH 19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus one of the following options
| | Either this course | |
| STAT 5 | Statistics | 5 |
| | or these courses | |
| STAT 7 | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences | 5 |
| STAT 7L | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences Laboratory | 2 |
Plus both of the following courses
Please see our preparing to transfer as an MCD major for more complete information.
Prospective students are encouraged to prioritize required and recommended major preparation, and may additionally complete courses that articulate to UC Santa Cruz general education requirements as time allows.
Students who are proposed in a different major and have advanced standing when they enter UCSC require permission from the department to change into the major. Admission to the major is not guaranteed.
Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students
Transfer students who have met the major qualification requirements are encouraged to declare the major during their first quarter at UC Santa Cruz. Transfer students should complete the required courses in genetics (BIOL 105), biochemistry (BIOL 100), and molecular biology (BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L) by the end of their first year at UCSC since they are prerequisites for the majority of other required courses.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
The Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology has a qualification policy that applies to the biology B.S., molecular, cell and developmental biology B.S., and neuroscience B.S. majors.
To qualify for any of these majors, students must pass (with a grade of C or better) the following courses or their equivalents:
One of the following courses
| MATH 11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 16A | Mathematics for Life and Environmental Sciences | 5 |
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus one of these groups
| | Either these courses | |
| CHEM 3A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 3B | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3C | General Chemistry | 3 |
| | or these courses | |
| CHEM 4A | Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
| CHEM 4B | Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
Note: This requirement may also be satisfied with prior completion of CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, and CHEM 1C or equivalent.
Previous to July 1, 2023, the General Chemistry series, offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was listed in the General Catalog as Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C, with associated laboratories Chemistry 1M and 1N. As of academic year 2023-24, this series was replaced with two distinct series: Chemistry 3A, 3B and 3C, with labs Chemistry 3BL and 3CL; or Chemistry 4A and 4B with labs Chemistry 4AL and BL. Descriptions of these two series are provided here.
And all of these courses
All qualification courses must be completed prior to the major declaration deadline. Students with two or more grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the policy courses are not qualified to declare.
When assessing qualification:
- All courses must be taken for a letter grade, see Letter Grade Policy below.
- Students with AP credit for MATH 11A or MATH 19A, BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, and/or CHEM 3A, need only pass the remaining qualification policy courses.
- Every student who satisfies the major qualification requirements and who petitions to declare the major by the campus major declaration deadline (i.e., before enrolling in their third year or the equivalent) will be admitted to the major. Students who satisfy the major admission requirements, but who petition to declare the major after the campus major declaration deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission to the major; admission is not guaranteed.
Appeal Process
Students who are not eligible to declare the major may submit an appeal to the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology faculty adviser. The department will notify the student and their college of the decision within 15 days of the quarterly appeal deadline. See our appeal process for more information.
How to Declare a Major
Students should submit a petition to declare by completing the online declaration petition as soon as they complete the major qualification courses or reach their declaration deadline quarter, whichever comes first.
A student's petition will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g., completion of some courses with certain grades) that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter, even if they have not completed major qualification courses.
The Petition for Major/Minor declaration form can be accessed by going to MyUCSC and navigating to the Student Homepage and selecting the Undergraduate Student eForms tile > Petition for Major/Minor.
Letter Grade Policy
All courses that are taken to satisfy any major requirement must be taken for a letter grade.
Course Substitution Policy
At least half of the upper-division courses required for the major must be taken at UC Santa Cruz, not as transfer credits from another institution. If a student plans to transfer to UCSC from another institution, the student is advised to contact MCD Advising at UCSC before enrolling in upper-division courses at the student’s institution or any institution other than UCSC. This advising will help students understand the limitation of transferring upper-division courses from other institutions to UCSC. For more information on transferring courses to UCSC, please consult the undergraduate website.
Once matriculated, a student must receive permission from the department to satisfy the BIOL 20A, BIOL 100, BIOL 105, BIOL 101 or BIOL 110 requirements with courses taken at other institutions. Students who wish to receive credit toward the major for these or other courses taken either at UCSC or at another institution should contact MCD Advising.
Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy
Students interested in pursuing multiple majors within the biological sciences may NOT declare the following combination of majors:
- Biology (B.A., B.S., or minor) AND any other biological sciences major
Should a student choose to double major, they must qualify for and complete the disciplinary communication and comprehensive requirements for each of the majors.
Study Abroad
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers qualified students unique opportunities to broaden their educational horizons. The MCD Biology Department encourages interested students to participate. Many programs are in English-speaking countries or use English for advanced courses. Many programs offer small classes, extensive laboratories, and/or field research experience.
Students interested in study abroad need to get an early start on their basic science requirements, including chemistry, mathematics, and introductory biology and must declare their major prior to applying to go abroad. Students interested in studying abroad should visit the EAP office as soon as possible to begin planning. They should also seek advice about their EAP plan for major courses at UC Santa Cruz from MCD Advising and receive their approval.
Honors
Honors in the majors are awarded to graduating students whose academic performance demonstrates excellence at a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above. Highest honors are awarded to those students whose performance demonstrates the highest level of excellence and results in a GPA of 3.8 or above.
Medical and Professional School Admission
Medical and professional school admissions requirements vary; students should verify that their coursework will satisfy the admissions requirements of the programs to which they plan to apply.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
All of the following courses
Plus one of these groups
| | Either these courses | |
| CHEM 3A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 3B | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3BL | General Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 3C | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3CL | General Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| | or these courses | |
| CHEM 4A | Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
| CHEM 4AL | Advanced General Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 4B | Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
| CHEM 4BL | Advanced General Chemistry Lab | 2 |
Note: This requirement may also be satisfied with prior completion of CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1C, and CHEM 1N or equivalent.
Previous to July 1, 2023, the General Chemistry series, offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was listed in the General Catalog as Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C, with associated laboratories Chemistry 1M and 1N. As of academic year 2023-24, this series was replaced with two distinct series: Chemistry 3A, 3B and 3C, with labs Chemistry 3BL and 3CL; or Chemistry 4A and 4B with labs Chemistry 4AL and BL. Descriptions of these two series are provided here.
Plus all of these courses
Plus one of the following options:
| | Either these courses | |
| MATH 11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 11B | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| | or these courses | |
| MATH 16A | Mathematics for Life and Environmental Sciences | 5 |
| MATH 16B | Mathematics for Life and Environmental Sciences | 5 |
| | or these courses | |
| MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus one of the following options:
| | Either this course | |
| STAT 5 | Statistics | 5 |
| | or these courses | |
| STAT 7 | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences | 5 |
| STAT 7L | Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences Laboratory | 2 |
Plus all of the following courses:
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Laboratory requirement:
Students must complete two upper-division courses that include regular laboratory or fieldwork:
Choose one of the following courses:
Plus one additional laboratory or field course
Students choose one upper-division BIOE or BIOL course identified with an "L" (i.e. BIOL 103L, BIOE 128L, etc).
If the additional laboratory course is BIOL 103L, BIOL 105L, BIOL 106L, BIOL 108L, BIOL 109L, BIOL 115L, BIOL 120L, BIOL 121L, BIOL 122L, BIOL 186L, CHEM 160L or CHEM 161L, it will also satisfy the disciplinary communication requirement.
Electives
Three additional upper-division electives
Students must complete three additional upper-division electives (5-7 credits each) chosen from the list below. Some of the following courses fulfill the disciplinary communication (DC) requirement.
Note: Lecture/lab combinations count as one course. Students must pass both the lecture and associated lab if the lab follows the lecture in the list below.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
The DC requirement in the biology B.S. degree can be satisfied either by completing two BIOE courses or by completing one 5-credit BIOL lab.
For the BIOE option, choose two Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses from this group:
Note: Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
For 2-credit BIOE lab courses listed above that are taken concurrently with 5-credit lectures, both courses must be passed to receive one half of the DC requirement. BIOE 117 and BIOE 137 require concurrent enrollment in 2-credit labs, BIOE 117L and BIOE 137L, but these are not part of the DC requirement.
For the BIOL option, choose one course from this group:
Comprehensive Requirement
All majors have a comprehensive requirement. For the Biology B.S., this requirement is satisfied via the completion of the above laboratory or field course requirement.
Planners
The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.
Sample Biology B.S. First-Year Student Four-Year Planner
Additional first-year student sample planners
* WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year.
The following general education requirements will be fulfilled by the major requirements listed in the above planner: MF, SI, and SR. In addition to the GE requirements satisfied by the above courses, a student will also need to complete courses satisfying the CC, ER, IM, TA, PE, and PR general education requirements.
Sample Biology B.S. Transfer Two-Year Planner
Additional transfer student sample planners
This planner assumes that a student has completed all UC Transfer Pathway courses: