Office & Contact Information

The Systems & Synthetic Biology major provides students with a broad understanding of these two related and interdisciplinary fields. Systems Biology aims to understand how complex organismal properties and structures arise from simple components and interactions, and to identify design principles common to many types of biological regulation. Synthetic Biology focuses on the modification (or, ultimately, de novo construction) of organisms to generate novel pathways and processes. This major emphasizes integrative, computational and quantitative approaches to solving biological problems and engineering new biological outcomes.

The Program

In the freshman and sophomore years, students majoring in Systems & Synthetic Biology build a broad scientific background, taking courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics as well as an introduction course to computing for biologists. As juniors or seniors, students can enroll in courses that introduce them to the fundamental principles in mathematics, computer science, systems theory and application, and biological engineering.

Career Alternatives

The biotech workforce has a growing demand for biologists that are fluent in different merging disciplines that are covered by the Systems and Synthetic Biology Major. This combination of skills will allow graduates to work at the interface between biologists and engineers found in new emerging industries related to the pharmaceutical, biomedical, bioenergy, agricultural, nutrition, and microbiome industries. The program is also an excellent background for students wishing to enter graduate or other professional schools, including medicine, law, journalism or policy Honors & Honors Programs. Refer to the Academic Information section and the appropriate College section for Dean's Honors List information.

Faculty Advisor

Siobhan Brady, Ph.D.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Requirements & College Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Systems & Synthetic Biology Bachelor of Science major is 96.

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Course is now listed as SSB 134.