ObjectivesThe Department of Physiological Science is dedicated to explaining the function of complex biological systems, in cells, organs, and individuals. The recent rapid advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics, including the sequencing of numerous genomes, has provided an unprecedented opportunity to use this new information to understand how the genes interact to produce emergent phenotypes in complex systems. The research of our faculty spans many levels. We use approaches that range from RNA interference to ion channel electrophysiology to genetic intervention in behavior to mathematical modeling to robotics, all to make sense of sensory, motor, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems.
Course descriptionPreparation 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.
The Major
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.