Requirements for a Major in Life Sciences

All Life Sciences majors are required to complete 54-55 Units to fulfill the major:

• Required courses:
  • ‘Science of Life; Introduction to Biology’ – 5 Units
  • ‘Biology Laboratory’ (a methods class) – 5 Units
  • ‘Research Seminar’– 5 Units
  • Gateway (Foundation):
    • Breadth 1: Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology
    • Breadth 2: Ecology and Evolution
    • Breadth 3: Quantitative Biology
  • Electives (4 required, 1 of which must be 4000 level courses)
    • Electives are selected from a list of life sciences and related approved courses.  – 20 Units
  • Capstone seminar and project. The capstone project will typically be a guided, independent project in laboratory or field research. During the first semester of the capstone, there will be a seminar component.  Students will begin preparing for the project no later than the third year, with the Life Sciences Research Seminar, culminating in a proposal for their fourth year project. Students are encouraged to engage in research earlier in their college years, but the capstone project is required as an intensive research experience that will typically involve the development of hypotheses, design of experiments, collection and interpretation of data, and oral and written presentations of research findings. – 10 Units

Click below to see a pictorial representation of your pathway through the major.

Requirements for a Minor in Life Sciences

To earn a minor, you must complete 25 Units. Students must complete the courses that are listed under Life Sciences as the primary major, that is, NOT cross-listed courses that are from another major.