Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics BS Learning Outcomes

The Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major has the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrated knowledge of key disciplinary concepts
• Address scientific questions or solve problems using quantitative, computational, and inquiry-related skills, including developing hypotheses, designing and performing experiences, analyzing data, and interpreting results
• Execution of database searches for scientific literature and bioinformatics data related to investigatory tasks
• Reading, analysis, and use of scientific papers in the development of research projects, in discussions with peers and mentors, and as evidence to substantiate conclusions in written assignments
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Work effectively in individual and collaborative contexts
• Value research and its relevance to one’s own life and society

Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 14A, 14B, 14BL, 14C, and 14D, or 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, and 30B; Life Sciences 30A, 30B, and 40 or Statistics 13, or Mathematics 3A, 3B, 3C, and Statistics 13, or 31A, 31B, 32A, and Statistics 13; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, and 4BL, or 5A, 5B, and 5C.

Students must also complete one of two life sciences sequences — either Life Sciences 1, 2, 3, 4, and 23L, or 7A, 7B, 7C, and 23L. They may not substitute courses in either sequence.

Each core curriculum course must be passed with a grade of C− or better, and all courses must be completed with an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better. Students receiving a grade of D or lower in two core curriculum courses, either in separate courses or repetitions of the same course, are subject to dismissal from the major.

Transfer applicants to the Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: one year of general biology with laboratory for majors, preferably equivalent to Life Sciences 1 and 2, or 7A, 7B, and 7C, one year of calculus, one year of general chemistry with laboratory for majors, and one semester of organic chemistry with laboratory. A second semester of organic chemistry or one year of calculus-based physics is strongly recommended but not required for admission.

Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

Students intending to major in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics may seek counseling and petition to enter the major in the Student Affairs Office, 1602B Molecular Sciences.

Two plans are offered by the department.

Required: Ten courses as follows: (1) Five foundation courses: Chemistry and Biochemistry 153A, 153B or Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 132, Life Sciences 107, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 101, C185A, (2) two courses from one of the following groups: (a) Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 103AL and 103BL or (b) 109AL and 109BL, (3) two focus elective courses selected from Chemistry and Biochemistry 153L, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 102, 105, 106, 107, 132, CM156, 158, 168, CM256, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 138, 165A, and (4) one general elective course selected from any course under item 3 above, Bioengineering 100, CM145, CM178, Biostatistics 100A, Chemistry and Biochemistry 103, 110A, M117, 136, C140, 153B, 153C, 153L, 154, 156, CM160A, 171, 172, C179, C181, Computer Science CM121, CM122, CM124, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 121, C135, 137, 162, Epidemiology 100, Human Genetics C144, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics C122, 174, C185B, 191H, 198C, 199 (may be taken once), Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 100, 104AL, 138, M140, C141, 143, 144, C150, 165A, 168, 172, M175A, M175B, M175C, 187AL, Neuroscience M101A, M101B, M101C, Physiological Science CM103, 121, 124, 125, 128, Statistics 100A, 100B.

No more than 4 units of course 199 or a combination of 198C and 199 may be applied toward the general electives under Plan I.

Required: Twelve courses as follows: (1) five foundation courses: Chemistry and Biochemistry 153A, 153B or Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 132, Life Sciences 107, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 101, C185A, (2) Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 196A, 196B or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 196A, 196B, (3) Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 180A, 180B or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 180A, 180B, (4) two focus elective courses selected from Chemistry and Biochemistry 153L, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 102, 105, 106, 107, 132, CM156, 158, 168, CM256, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 138, 165A, and (5) one general elective course selected from any course under item 3 above, Bioengineering 100, CM145, CM178, Biostatistics 100A, Chemistry and Biochemistry 103, 110A, M117, 136, C140, 153B, 153C, 156, CM160A, 171, 172, C179, C181, Computer Science CM121, CM122, CM124, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 121, C135, 137, 162, Epidemiology 100, Human Genetics C144, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 103AL, 103BL, 109AL, 109BL, C122, 174, C185B, 191H, 198C, 199, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 100, 104AL, 138, M140, C141, 143, 144, C150, 165A, 168, 172, M175A, M175B, M175C, 187AL, Neuroscience M101A, M101B, M101C, Physiological Science CM103, 121, 124, 125, 128, Statistics 100A, 100B.

No more than 4 units of course 198C or 199 may be applied toward the general electives under Plan II.

Plan II requires submission and approval of an admissions application. Detailed information may be obtained at the Student Affairs Office, 1602B Molecular Sciences,

Each major course must be taken for a letter grade of C− or better, and students must have a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in the major. Students receiving a grade of D or below in two major courses, either in separate courses or repetitions of the same course, are subject to dismissal from the major.

Overall grade-point averages of 3.2 and 3.5 in the preparation for the major and major respectively are required to apply for departmental honors. In addition students must have junior standing and the sponsorship of a faculty adviser from the department. The core of the program consists of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 198A, 198B, and 198C research, culminating in a thesis. If the thesis is accepted by the honors committee and students complete all major requirements with a GPA of at least 3.5, they are awarded the bachelor’s degree with departmental honors. The department also offers an honors seminar course each winter quarter that is required for the honors program. For more information, contact the Student Affairs Office, 1602B Molecular Sciences.