Genetics & Genomics, Bachelor of Science College of Biological Sciences

Office & Contact Information

The Genetics & Genomics major provides a broad background in the biological, mathematical, and physical sciences basic to the study of heredity, gene expression 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.

The Program

The upper division curriculum in the Genetics & Genomics program begins with the four-course, upper-division core curriculum that provides an introduction to the principles of genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology. Students then take additional upper-division courses in specialized areas of modern genetics including gene expression, evolution, development, human genetics, and genomics, as well as laboratory courses in the principles of genetics and genomics. Additional upper-division courses in biological sciences, as well as internship/research coursework, can be chosen to fulfill required elective units.

Career Alternatives

The Genetics & Genomics degree provides suitable preparation for a wide variety of careers, including teaching, research, work with biotechnology companies, medicine, and all the health sciences. It is also an excellent background for students wishing to continue their education in a graduate program, a teacher-training program, medical school, veterinary school, or other professional schools.

Faculty Advisor

Celina Juliano, Ph.D.

Advising

Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) in 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall; 530-752-0410, Undergraduate Advising

Graduate Study

See Integrative Genetics & Genomics (Graduate Group).

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Genetics & Genomics Bachelor of Science is 95.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Biological Science *14
BIO 001
& 001L
& BIO 002
& BIO 002L
& BIO 003
Introductory Biology: Ecology & Evolution
and Introductory Biology Lab: Ecology & Evolution
and Introductory Biology: Molecules to Cells
and Introductory Biology Lab: Molecules to Cells
and Introductory Biology: Cells Through Organisms
Chemistry
Choose CHE 002 series or CHE 004 series: 115
CHE 002A
& CHE 002B
& CHE 002C
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
OR
CHE 004A
& CHE 004B
& CHE 004C
General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
Choose CHE 008 series or CHE 118 series or CHE 128 series & CHE 129A-CHE 129B: 26-13
CHE 008A
& CHE 008B
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
OR
CHE 118A
& CHE 118B
& CHE 118C
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
OR
CHE 128A
& CHE 128B
& CHE 128C
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
CHE 129A
& CHE 129B
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Mathematics
Choose MAT 017 series or MAT 021 series: 38-12
MAT 017A
& MAT 017B
& MAT 017C
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
OR
MAT 021A
& MAT 021B
& MAT 021C
Calculus
and Calculus
and Calculus (Recommended)
Physics
Choose PHY 007 series or PHY 009 series: 412-15
PHY 007A
& PHY 007B
& PHY 007C
General Physics
and General Physics
and General Physics
OR
PHY 009A
& PHY 009B
& PHY 009C
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal55-69
Depth Subject Matter
Biological Science
BIS 101Genes & Gene Expression4
or BIS 101V Genes & Gene Expression
BIS 104Cell Biology3
BIS 105Biomolecules & Metabolism3-6
or (BIS 102 OR BIS 102V)
& BIS 103
and Bioenergetics & Metabolism
Molecular & Cellular Biology6
MCB 121
Advanced Molecular Biology
MCB 182
Principles of Genomics
Choose one:3-4
EVE 100
Introduction to Evolution
BIS 181
Comparative Genomics
Choose one:3
BIS 183
Functional Genomics
MCB 162
Human Genetics & Genomics
MCB 163
Developmental Genetics
Choose one:
MCB 160LPrinciples of Genetics Laboratory5
or BIS 180L Genomics Laboratory
Choose STA 100 or STA 130A & STA 130B:4-8
STA 100
Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
or STA 130A
& STA 130B
 Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
and Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
Restricted Electives
Choose at least 9 additional units:9
BIS 027A
Linear Algebra with Applications to Biology 5
or BIS 027B
 Differential Equations with Applications to Biology
BIS 181
Comparative Genomics
BIS 183
Functional Genomics
BIT 150
Applied Bioinformatics
ECS 124
Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics
EVE 100
Introduction to Evolution
EVE 102
Population & Quantitative Genetics
EVE 103
Phylogeny, Speciation & Macroevolution
EVE 131
Human Genetic Variation & Evolution
EVE 161
Microbial Phylogenomics; Genomic Perspectives on the Diversity & Diversification of Microbes
MIC 105
Microbial Diversity
MCB 150
Developmental Biology
MCB 162
Human Genetics & Genomics
MCB 163
Developmental Genetics
MMG 170
Yeast Molecular Genetics
MMG 172
Host-Parasite Interactions
MMG 175
Cancer Biology
MMG 180
Microbial Diversity
PLB 112
Plant Growth & Development
PLB 113
Molecular & Cellular Biology of Plants
PLS 154
Introduction to Plant Breeding
OR
Upper division courses (unless otherwise noted) in genetics and genomics or other fields relevant to a student’s interest chosen in consultation with the Genetics & Genomics faculty major advisor and BASC advisor.
No more than 4 units of variable-unit courses (numbered 192, 193, or 199) may be used for credit in this category. Note: Although a course might be listed in more than one category, that course may satisfy only one requirement in the entire major.
Note: Although a course might be listed in more than one category, that course may satisfy only one requirement in the entire major.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal40-48
Total Units95-117
1

With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Chemistry requirement: CHE 004A-CHE 002A (3 units with no lab)-CHE 002B-CHE 002C; CHE 004A-CHE 004B-CHE 002C. 

2

With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Organic Chemistry requirement: CHE 118A-CHE 008B; CHE 128A-CHE 128B-CHE 008B; CHE 128A-CHE 118B-CHE 118C; CHE 128A-CHE 128B-CHE 129A-CHE 118C; CHE 118A-CHE 128B-CHE 128C-CHE 129A-CHE 129B; CHE 118A-CHE 118B-CHE 128C-CHE 129B.

3

With BASC advisor approval, this combination also satisfies the Mathematics requirement: MAT 021A-MAT 017B-MAT 017C; MAT 017A-MAT 021B.

4

With BASC Advisor approval, the following combination also satisfies the Physics requirement: PHY 009A–PHY 009B–PHY 007B–PHY 007C; PHY 009A–PHY 009C–PHY 007A–PHY 007C.

5

BIS 027A & BIS 027B do not meet the upper division unit requirement.

*

BIS 002ABCD series is discontinued. Students who have started the BIS 002ABCD series should consult with a BASC advisor to determine which course(s) will complete the lower-division biology requirement.

**

Course(s) discontinued; see your advisor for course options.