Dean's Office
202 Life Sciences Addition
530-752-0410; http://www.dbs.ucdavis.edu/undergrad
The Division of Biological Sciences is an intercollege unit that coordinates campuswide programs in basic biology and administers undergraduate programs in the core disciplines of biology on behalf of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Letters and Science.
The division is organized into five sections that represent major themes of modern biology: Evolution and Ecology; Microbiology; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior; and Plant Biology. The individual sections offer nine specialized majors, each focusing on one of the core disciplines of basic biology. The major in Biological Sciences and the Bodega Marine Laboratory Program are offered by the entire division.
This biological sciences major is broad in concept, designed to span the numerous core disciplines of biology. The major covers most dimensions of the study of life, ranging from molecules and cells to populations of organisms. While emphasizing breadth, the biological sciences major also requires the student to select an area of emphasis that provides concentrated attention to one facet of biology at the upper division level. Each area of emphasis coincides with one of the divisional sections.
Major:
Biological Sciences, A.B., B.S.
Minor:
Biological Sciences
The major in evolution and ecology offers the student a broad background in the theoretical and empirical basis of our understanding of the evolution and ecology of living organisms. The program of study begins with a core of introductory courses in mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. These are followed by survey courses in evolution and ecology and more specialized courses that allow the student to focus his or her studies.
Major:
Evolution and Ecology, A.B., B.S.
The major in Exercise Science is an integrative program of study, encompassing the physiological, biomechanical and behavioral aspects of exercise and physical activity. Our focus is on both the acute and adaptive effects of physical activity (and inactivity). Exercise science deals with the mechanisms and consequences of activity from the molecular to the organismal (human ecological) level. We examine these mechanisms and consequences during growth, development, aging, disease and in altered environmental conditions. The exercise science major encompasses the critical aspects of an integrative program in applied human biology.
Major:
Exercise Science, A.B., B.S.
Minor:
Exercise Science
Microbiology deals with bacteria, yeasts and other fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. These microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and play a crucial role in areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, ecology, medicine, and veterinary science. The field of microbiology contributes to areas of fundamental inquiry such as biochemistry, cell biology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, pathogenesis, and physiology.
Major:
Microbiology, A.B., B.S.
The Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology offers three majors. The biochemistry major introduces students to the chemistry of living organisms and the experimental techniques that are used to probe the structures and functions of biologically important molecules. Students who enjoy both chemistry and biology and who are comfortable with quantitative approaches to problem solving will find biochemistry a rewarding field of study.
The cell biology major provides a comprehensive understanding of the cell, the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. The major emphasizes the principles that govern how biomolecules interact with one another to organize themselves into higher order structures that comprise cells and how cellular organization and function contribute to the development, maintenance, and reproduction of adult organisms.
The genetics major provides a broad background in the biological, mathematical, and physical sciences basic to the study of heredity and evolution. The major is sufficiently flexible to accommodate students interested in the subject either as a basic discipline in the biological sciences or in terms of its applied aspects such as biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture.
Majors:
Biochemistry, B.S.
Cell Biology, B.S.
Genetics, B.S.
The neurobiology, physiology, and behavior major emphasizes the understanding of vital functions common to all animals. All animals perform certain basic functions--they grow, reproduce, move, respond to stimuli, and maintain homeostasis. The physiological mechanisms upon which these functions depend are precisely regulated and highly integrated. Actions of the nervous and endocrine systems determine behavior and the interaction between organisms and their physical and social environments. Students in this major will study functional mechanisms; the control, regulation, and integration of these mechanisms; and the behavior which relates to those mechanisms at the level of the cell, the organ system, and the organism.
Major:
Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, B.S.
Plant biology is the study of plants as organisms. It includes the newer disciplines of cellular and molecular plant biology and the traditional areas of botany, such as anatomy, morphology, systematics, physiology, mycology, phycology, ecology, and evolution. The major provides breadth in diverse areas of plant biology and depth in one of several areas of specialization.
Major:
Plant Biology, A.B., B.S.
Minor:
Plant Biology
A full quarter of undergraduate course work in marine biology is available each spring quarter at the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) located in Bodega Bay, CA. Course offerings include lecture and laboratory instruction in the developmental biology and physiological adaptation of marine organisms, population biology and ecology, a weekly colloquium, and an intensive individual research experience under the direction of laboratory faculty (Biological Sciences courses 120, 120P, 122, 122P, 123; Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior 141, 141P). The program is residential, with students housed on the laboratory grounds. Participants are assessed a room and board fee in addition to standard campus registration fees.
Programs and Courses | Admission Requirements | Degree Requirements | Table of Contents | Index