Undergraduate Program

Preparation for the Major  |  the Major |   Honors  | Understanding the Chem/Math/Physics series  | Checklist

Preparation for the Major

Life Science Core Curriculum

Required: Life Science 1, 2, 3, 4
Chemistry 14A, 14B, 14BL, 14C, 14CL,14D OR
Chemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B, 30BL*
Math 3A, 3B, 3C OR 31A, 31B, 32A
Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL OR 6A, 6B, 6C OR 6AH, 6BH, 6CH**

*Chemistry 30C is strongly recommended for students completing the Chemistry 20/30 series who are also preparing for graduate school in the health sciences, but 30CL is NOT required.

**Physics 6AH, 6BH and 6CH are designed for students that have had physics and calculus in high school, or have a very strong interest in this area. All core curriculum courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better and must be completed with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. If you receive a grade of D or F in two core curriculum courses, either in separate courses or repetitions of the same course, you are subject to dismissal from the major. Upon completion of the third repeated course, the Undergraduate Affairs Committee will review your file.

Transfer students with 90 or more quarter units must complete the following courses prior to admission to UCLA:
Life Sciences 1, 2, (3 and 4 if possible), or equivalent,
One year of general chemistry with laboratory,
One year of calculus,
One semester of organic chemistry with laboratory

For more competitive admission, please try to complete the following:
2nd semester of organic chemistry with laboratory,
One (semester or) year of calculus-based physics
Transfer credit for UCLA Extension coursework and for any departmental courses is subject to prior approval by the department; consult the undergraduate counselor before enrolling in any courses for the major.

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The Major

Required: Physiological Science 107 - Systems Anatomy
Physiological Science 111A (or M180A)** - Neuroscience
Physiological Science 111B - Musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory systems
Physiological Science 111C - Gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, reproductive systems
Physiological Science 111L - Physiological Science lab
Chemistry 153A + 153L - Biochemistry with lab
Four upper division physiological science electives (16+ units).

Four units of course PS 199 or PS 198A/B may be applied toward the elective requirement. Courses PS M102, M103, 166, 191H, 193, 194, and 196, and graduate courses at the 300, 400, or 500 level may not be applied toward this requirement. One graduate course at the 200 level may apply toward the elective requirement by petition.

All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a C average (2.0) must be maintained in all upper division courses taken for the major.

**A minimum grade of C- is required in each of the undergraduate core courses (107, 111A or M180A, 111B, 111C) to enroll in the next course in the series.

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Departmental Honors Program

Designed for students that are interested in exploring advanced topics in research.

Required: Physiological Science 198A/B (research)
Contract for "Honors Content" in one of the following courses on the major: PS 111A, 111B OR 111C
Take PS 191H or Neuroscience 191H Honors Seminar
Participate in our annual Undergraduate Poster Session in the spring

Maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher in the courses for the major (PS 107, 111A-L, 4 PS Electives, Chem 153A and 153L)

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