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Majors Offered

About 20 percent of undergraduates at UC Davis are enrolled in a biology major offered through the College of Biological Sciences. Surveys show that these students are drawn to the campus by the outstanding quality of its biology programs. The College offers nine majors:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology 156 Briggs, 752-9032

Major: The biochemistry and molecular biology major (Bachelor of Science) 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 this major a rewarding field of study.

Careers: The biochemistry and molecular biology program provides a solid scientific background for students seeking a research, teaching or service career in the life sciences. Positions are open to biochemists in biomedical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, agricultural research and chemical industries. Also, university-affiliated research laboratories, hospital laboratories, and government-sponsored research facilities provide employment opportunities. The major provides excellent preparation for advanced study in graduate or professional schools.

Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Academic Programs, College of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Addition, (530) 752-0410

Major: The biological sciences major allows for a broad overview of biology and provides an opportunity to focus on a particular aspect of biology of interest to you. The core program includes courses in mathematics, general and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and biology that emphasize breadth as well as depth.

Careers: The biological sciences degree provides suitable preparation for a wide variety of careers, including teaching, biological research, work with various governmental agencies or with private companies, and all the health sciences. It provides an excellent background for students wishing to enter a graduate program in biology, a teacher-training program, a health professional school, or other professional schools.

Cell Biology

Department of of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 156 Briggs, (530) 752-0202

Major: The cell biology major provides a comprehensive understanding of the cell, the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. The major will emphasize 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.

Careers: The cell biology major provides students with solid grounding in biological principles. Indeed, the discipline of cell biology lies at the core of the biological sciences because to understand living organisms the biologist must understand the cell. Consequently, the majors provides an excellent background for students wishing to enter post-graduate and professional programs in biological, medical or veterinary sciences, for students pursuing careers involving teaching or research in the biological sciences, as well as for students who are interested in careers related to administrative, legal or commercial aspects of biomedical science.

Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity

Department of Evolution and Ecology, 2320 Storer, (530) 752-8523

Major: The major in evolution, ecology and biodiversity offers the student a broad background in the theoretical and empirical basis of our understanding of the diversity and distribution 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 biodiversity, evolution and ecology and various more specialized courses that focus the student on particular disciplines or organisms, with an emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking. Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity majors may earn either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. The requirements for the B.S. degree program include more science courses, such as biochemistry, whereas those for the A.B. degree program allow room for more electives within the humanities and social sciences. The A.B. degree is especially appropriate for those students who wish to combine arts or languages with evolution and ecology for career preparation in such areas as scientific writing, translating or illustration.

Careers: A degree in evolution, ecology and biodiversity prepares the student for career opportunities in research, teaching, health professions, veterinary medicine, agriculture, environmental management, and industry. Many students gain some research experience while at UC Davis and choose to continue their training at the graduate level. This track offers careers in academics, government, or business.

Exercise Biology

Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, 188 Briggs, (530) 752-2292

Major: The major in Exercise Biology is an integrative program of study, encompassing the physiological, biomechanical and behavioral aspects of exercise and physical activity. The focus is on both the acute and adaptive effects of physical activity (and inactivity). Exercise biology 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 biology major encompasses the critical aspects of an integrative program in applied human biology. The B.S. program in exercise biology is appropriate for students who desire a strong preparation in human biology. The A.B. program exercise biology provides a greater breadth of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences.

Careers: These majors could lead to further graduate study in any field related to human biology as well as careers in medicine and other health sciences (e.g., physical therapy), biomechanics and biomedical engineering, and medical equipment and pharmaceutical development and sales. The A. B. programs are for those students who wish to apply their knowledge of exercise biology/science within the human community. Students with further academic or professional interests in medicine and other health sciences, community service, business, sales, communications, education, or coaching might find this major particularly attractive.

Genetics

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 156 Briggs, (530) 752-0202

Major: The genetics major is designed to provide 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.

Careers: The genetics degree provides suitable preparation for a wide variety of careers, including teaching, research, work with biotechnology companies, medicine, and all the health sciences. It also provides an excellent background for students wishing to enter a graduate program, a teacher-training program, medical school, veterinary school, or other professional schools.

Microbiology

Department ofMicrobiology, 357 Briggs, (530) 752-0261

Major: Microbiology is the branch of biology that 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.

Careers: The microbiology major program is appropriate for students contemplating a career in medicine, various allied health professions including medical technology, or teaching. The B.S. program is especially well suited for students who want a professional career in micro biology, including employment in biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, and the food industry, or who wish to pursue graduate education in a biological science discipline. The A.B. program is best suited to those interested in a career in the health sciences who wish to have time to complete a second major in the humanities or social sciences.

Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

Department ofNeurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, 188 Briggs, (530) 752-9696

Major: 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 through the actions of the nervous and endocrine systems to 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.

Careers: Completion of the Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior major provides the foundation for a challenging career in physiology and/or neurobiology and also serves as a basis for further training in schools of human and veterinary medicine, medical technology, physical therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and other health sciences. Students interested in high school teaching, research, or advanced teaching may use the program as preparation for continued study.

Plant Biology

Department of Plant Biology, 1002 Life Sciences Addition, (530) 752-0617

Major: Plant biology is the study of plants as organisms. It includes disciplines of cellular and molecular plant biology and the traditional areas of botany, such as anatomy, morphology, systematics, physiology, mycology, phycology, ecology, and evolution, along with the newer disciplines of cellular and molecular plant biology. The plant biology major consists of core courses in applied plant biology, plant anatomy, plant physiology, and plant ecology, as well as biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. In addition, students complete a set of courses in one of the following areas: 1) general plant biology; 2) applied plant biology; 3) plant evolution and ecology; and 4) plant physiology, development, and molecular biology. The major provides breadth in diverse areas of plant biology and depth in one of several areas of specialization. Independent research opportunities in plant biology are available. Consult with an adviser.

Careers: A plant biology degree is an excellent credential for a wide range of career options, including domestic and international opportunities in business, research and teaching in both governmental and private sectors. Plant biologists can work in the field, in the forest, in the laboratory, in botanical gardens or nurseries, in food or seed companies, or in pharmaceutical, energy or chemical industries, and pursue rewarding careers in the areas of biotechnology, environmental protection, or agribusiness. The program is also an excellent background for students wishing to enter graduate or other professional schools, including medicine, law or journalism.