Concentrations within the Biology Major

Within the Biology major, students can focus on Molecular Biology or Ecology by following one of the pathways below, which have modified upper division requirements. Students wishing to follow one of these pathways should discuss the concentration with their advisor and complete a Change of Academic Program to declare the concentration.

Molecular Biology Concentration

This area of concentration within the Biology major is designed to prepare students for positions in academic, clinical or industrial biotechnology laboratories. It also prepares students for graduate study in Genetics, Molecular Biology and other fields of the life sciences. In addition to the Biology requirements (BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 212, BIOL 310/311, & BIOL 414) and the required supporting courses in Chemistry, Math, and Physics, the following courses constitute the Molecular Biology Emphasis:

BIOL 420-Molecular Biology

Four additional upper division Biology elective courses chosen from the list below. These must include at least three laboratory courses.

BIOL 312/313 - Techniques in Tissue Culture
BIOL 324/325-Molecular Ecology
BIOL 333/334-Endocrinology
BIOL 345-Virology
BIOL 346/347-General Microbiology
BIOL 355/356-Developmental Biology
BIOL 357 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry
BIOL 370 - Biology of Cancer
BIOL 405-Molecular Medicine
BIOL 422/423-Bioinformatics
BIOL 443/444-Immunology
BIOL 485/486-Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
BIOL 498-Directed Research for Advanced Undergraduates
BIOL 598-Thesis Research for Biology Honors Program
BIOL 599-Thesis Writing for Biology Honors Program
up to four units can be applied from major-level Biochemistry:
- CHEM 351 - Biochemistry II
- CHEM 352 - Experimental Biochemistry

Ecology Concentration

This area of concentration within the Biology major is designed to prepare students for careers in academic, governmental, non-profit and private sector research, consulting or outreach programs focused on ecology and the environment. It also prepares students for graduate study (including medical school), in areas such as in marine and terrestrial Ecology, Astrobiology, Environmental Science, and other fields of life and environmental sciences. In addition to the lower division Biology requirements (BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 212, BIOL 310/311, & BIOL 414) and the required supporting courses in Chemistry, Math, and Physics, the following courses constitute the Ecology Concentration:

BIOL 319-Ecology

Four additional upper division Biology elective courses chosen from the list below. These credits must include at least two field courses and can include one approved Environmental Science course.

BIOL 315/316-Biology of Marine Mammals
BIOL 317/318-Biology of Galapagos
BIOL 324/325-Molecular Ecology
BIOL 328/329-Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 331/332-Herpetology
BIOL 346/347-General Microbiology
BIOL 350/351-Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL 352/353-Comparative Anatomy
BIOL 364/365-Plant Biology
BIOL 379/380-Conservation Biology
BIOL 383/384-Biology of Insects
BIOL 390/391-Marine Biology
BIOL 335/336-Pollination Biology
BIOL 364/365-Plant Biology
BIOL 392/393-Oceanography
BIOL 424/425-Urban Ecology
BIOL 398-Directed Reading for Advanced Undergraduates
BIOL 498-Directed Research for Advanced Undergraduates
BIOL 598-Thesis Research for Biology Honors
BIOL 599-Thesis Writing for Biology Honors