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Prospective Student Resources

Thank you for your interest in Biological Sciences at UC San Diego! Our division is made up of a bustling community of students, staff, and faculty who are eager to learn with you and support you on your journey as you explore your academic interests at the university.

To help you decide if studying Biological Sciences on our campus is right for you, we have compiled resources about our undergraduate majors, programs, services, student organizations, and more. If you have been admitted to UC San Diego, we hope that you will join us on Triton Day or Transfer Triton Day.

Handouts

Overview of Biology Majors

Our faculty advisors give a brief overview of each biology major offered by the School of Biological Sciences. Video links are included below.

Faculty Advisors Major Information

Human Biology with Heidi Cook-Andersen

Dr. Cook-Andersen's research focuses on combining genetic, molecular and cutting-edge genome-wide approaches to uncover the mechanisms driving reprogramming to totipotency during the transition from oocyte to embryo.

Learn more about human biology from Professor Anderson.		 Human Biology

Bioinformatics with Barry Grant

Dr. Grant's research focuses on the development and application of state-of-the-art computational and theoretical techniques to investigate the structure, dynamics and interactions of biomedically important proteins. At the interface of molecular biology, biophysics and bioinformatics the unique insight gained from their research is tightly coupled to a wide range of biochemical and biophysical experiments.

Check out an introduction to Bioinformatics from Professor Grant.		 Bioinformatics

General Biology and Microbiology with Eric Allen

Research in our laboratory centers upon the use of environmentally-derived genome sequence information ("metagenomics") to explore the genetic potential, ecology, and evolution of environmental microbial populations. Our research methods enable us to utilize environmental genome sequence data to understand natural microbial phenomena including metabolic activities, biosynthetic processes, environmental adaptation, lateral gene transfer events, biogeographical patterning, biogeochemical cycling, and microbe-microbe/microbe-host interactions. Professor Allen is the faculty advisor for both General Biology and Microbiology. View Professor Allen's

introduction video on General Biology and his separate introduction video on Microbiology.		 General Biology

Microbiology

Neurobiology with Ashley Jauvinett

>Dr. Jauvinett's lab conducts course-based undergraduate research with open source datasets; education and careers in neuroscience she is interested in whether these approaches will create realistic, engaging laboratory experiences and ultimately invite diverse students into the field of neuroscience. Want to learn more about Neurobiology?

See Professor Jauvinett's introduction video on the Neurobiology major.		 Neurobiology

Molecular and Cell Biology with Jose Pruñeda-Paz

Dr. Pruñeda-Paz's laboratory is focused in studying the molecular mechanisms by which the circadian clock controls critical biological processes (i.e. outputs). In particular, they use plant-pathogen interactions as an experimental platform and aim to understand the transcriptional networks that control the circadian regulation of plant defense responses.

For more information about Molecular and Cell Biology, hear from Jose Pruñeda-Paz.		 Molecular & Cell Biology

Ecology, Behavior and Evolution with Joshua Kohn

Dr. Kohn's lab uses both molecular and experimental tools to study plant mating systems and floral evolution. The mating system is a prime factor in explaining differences in levels of genetic variation among populations and species. Their current work focuses on three issues: 1) The molecular evolution of the self-incompatibility locus, 2) The evolution of mating system diversity in higher plants. 3) Floral variation, its molecular causes and selective consequences.

To learn more about EBE, see Professor Kohn's video.		 EBE

Video Resources

Below are videos on Biology advising, research opportunities, tips for success, and other highlighteds from the Division. Check them out!

For other examples of student engagement as a biology student at UC San Diego, visit our Student Opportunities & Resources page.

Admitted students can email us questions about Biology offerings at biousis@ucsd.edu. Please contact the Office of Admissions with questions regarding admission to UC San Diego.