School Overview

The School of Biological Sciences reflects new concepts of biology in both its curriculum and its research programs. The faculty is dedicated to providing students with the opportunity to learn the principles and facts in the ever-expanding field of biology. The School encourages vigorous faculty and student research programs and strongly believes that excellence in research is essential for effective, enthusiastic, and up-to-date teaching.

Academic Offerings

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology*
The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major is designed to provide students with the ecological and evolutionary context for understanding patterns in biology raning from DNA structure to global climate change.

* Students may enter the Biological Sciences major or the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major in the freshman year. Students who successfully complete their second year of study may elect to major in one of the following additional majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biological Sciences majors who successfully complete their second year of study may elect to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This major is based upon required courses in advanced biochemistry and advanced molecular biology and provides an in-depth study of the molecular basis of microbiology, immunology, virology, developmental biology, pathogenesis, and evolution.

Developmental and Cell Biology
The Developmental and Cell Biology major allows for an extensive analysis of the basic structure and function of cells, the integration of cells with the outside world and the formation of pattern structure during embryo development.

Genetics
The Genetics major emphasizes developmental, evolutionary and molecular genetics and explores how genetic mechanisms contribute to the understanding of human development and disease.

Neurobiology
The Neurobiology major is open to students who have successfully completed the second year of study as a Biological Sciences major. The major is designed to teach students how neurobiologists apply cellular, molecular, systems, and behavioral analyses in understanding how the nervous system works. The hallmark of the major is a year-long, in-depth exploration of the intellectual tools used to create, advance, and disseminate knowledge about the nervous system. Through neurobiology satellite courses, students acquire advanced factual knowledge about neurobiology.

Plant Biology
Plant Biology stands for the energy that runs our planet, the food we eat, drugs that heal, the forefront of biotechnology and much more. This exciting major will provide its students with the knowledge and skills to meet society's need for well-trained botanists.

Applied Ecology
Students with an interest in the application of ecology to human needs may choose the Applied Ecology major, which is offered jointly by the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Social Ecology. Information is available in the School of Social Ecology page.

Special Resources and Opportunities

Excellence in Research Program in Biological Sciences
Undergraduate student researchers may participate in the annual Biological Sciences Research Symposium where they present the results of their research endeavors to peers and faculty via a formal research paper, an oral presentation, and a poster competition. Outstanding undergraduate researchers are awarded the honor of "Excellence in Research." Selected research papers are published in the School's Journal of Undergraduate Research in the Biological Sciences.

White Mountain Research Station Environmental Biology Supercourse (WMRS)
The WMRS Supercourse exposes and trains students in diverse approaches to solving problems about plant and animal interactions with each other, and with their environment, both pristine and human-perturbed. Students reside at the WMRS facility in Bishop, California, for the entire spring quarter and complete courses in physiological ecology, field ecology, and applied conservation ecology. Research studies include both traditional natural history-based field methods and modem laboratory-based techniques.

Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic
A research, training, and service facility dedicated to developing the full potential of lasers and related photonic systems for biomedical applications.

School of Biological Sciences Biosafety Level 3 Containment Facility
Provides laboratory facilities for working with biological agents or biological molecules such as DNA which would be hazardous when used in open laboratories.

UCI Developmental Biology Center
Devoted to analyzing the cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying growth, development, and regeneration.

UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
A research center for studies of the brain mechanisms underlying learning and memory.

UCI Arboretum
A botanical garden facility.

San Joaquin Marsh Reserve
Located adjacent to the UCI campus, the Marsh consists of freshwater ponds and their attendant and aquatic flora and fauna.

UCI Ecological Preserve
Includes coastal hills on the campus, once under heavy grazing, but now returning to a more natural state.

UCI College of Medicine
Committed to develop and maintain research programs in the health sciences.

School of Biological Sciences Scholarships, Awards, and Prizes
The School of Biological Sciences is committed to recognizing the outstanding academic and research achievements of its undergraduates. Through generous donors the School is able to present awards, prizes, and scholarships to its undergraduates each year. Many of these awards assist students in achieving their future academic endeavors in various areas of graduate work in the biological sciences and in the health professions. The recipients are recognized at the annual Biological Sciences Honors Convocation.

Student Organizations
The School is home to a variety of organizations designed to promote interaction between students and foster interest in various health science fields. They include Chicanos for Creative Medicine and the Pharmacy Society, among others. Some of the organizations, such as the Flying Samaritans and Medici Designati, provide health care services to the community.

Health Sciences Advising
Advising for careers in the health sciences is a specialty of the Biological Sciences Student Affairs office. Counselors check students programs, give advice about appropriate elective courses, and provide information about the application process for health professional programs, including the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and other required examinations.

Career Opportunities

• Biomedical Engineering
• Business Management
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Dentistry
• Drug and Law Enforcement
• Environmental Management
• Genetic Counseling
• Genetic Engineering
• Health Administration
• Law
• Medical Technology
• Medicine
• Nurse Practitioner
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Patent Law
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy
• Physicians' Assistant
• Physical Therapy
• Podiatry
• Public Health
• Quality Assurance
• Research
• Sales
• Speech Pathology
• Teaching
• Technical Writing
• Veterinary Medicine

Additional Information