Biology Information Session Sponsored by BUSAC and the Biology Division November 27, 2007

What is BUSAC?  Biology Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee  A group of undergraduate students who want to improve the biology curriculum!

What BUSAC does  Sponsor socials bringing professors and students together. Dec. 6- Ice Cream Social: Bechtel Mall  Establishing the biology ombuds system, so we can use student suggestions to improve classes.  Present ombuds and end-of-year survey feedback to faculty

Basics of Biology Curriculum  A year by year look at the new biology curriculum…  Including recent changes  Remember, you can graduate under any catalog year for which you were a student!

Required Classes  Some classes are still required: Bi 8, Bi 9 Bi 117, Bi 122, Bi 150 Ch 41 abc Two classes from: Bi 110, 111, 113, 132 One advanced lab: Bi 123, 162, 180, 227 or 12 units independent research Writing: Bi 24, En 84, Ge 13 (with oral presentation)

Tracks  The final requirement is to take 146 units of Bio classes in at least two tracks. Not counting Bi 1, 2, 5, or 10 At least 4 of these classes from at least 2 tracks must be on grades At least 2 of these classes from at least 2 tracks must be for at least 9 units.  Classes may not be double-counted.

List of Tracks  Biochemistry  Neurobiology  Genetics  Developmental Biology  Interdisciplinary Studies  Organismal Biology  Cell Biology

Curriculum: Freshman Year  Required Courses: Intro to Molecular Biology (Bi 8) Cell Biology (Bi 9) (And Core classes)  Recommended Courses: Current Research in Biology (Bi 2) Cell Biology Lab (Bi 10)

Curriculum: Sophomore Year  Required Courses: Organic Chemistry (Ch 41 abc) Genetics (Bi 122) (And core classes)  Electives in tracks of your choice

Curriculum: Junior Year  Required Courses: Introduction to Biochemistry (Bi/Ch 110) Introduction to Neurobiology (Bi/CNS 150) Developmental Biology (Bi 117) Biology Writing Requirement (Bi 24)  Electives in tracks of your choice

Curriculum: Junior Year (cont’d) Tracks: See also p of the Catalog! Biochemistry: Biochemistry of Gene Expression (Bi/Ch 111), Biochemistry of the Cell (Bi/Ch 113) Neuroscience: Neuronal Basis of Consciousness (Bi/CNS 120), Advanced Neurobiology Lab (Bi/CNS 162) Genetics: Advanced Genetics Lab (Bi 123) Developmental: Developmental Gene Regulation and Evolution of Animals (Bi 182) Interdisciplinary: Principles in Modern Microscopy (Bi 177) Organismal: Vertebrate Evolution (Bi 158) Cell Biology: Advanced Cell Biology of the Neuron (Bi 129)

Curriculum: Senior Year  Required Courses: Courses not previously completed  Electives: Biochemistry: Biophysics of Macromolecules (Bi 132), Principles of 3-D Protein Structure (Bi 170) Neuroscience: Behavior of Mammals (Bi/CNS 216), Central Mechanisms in Perception (Bi/CNS 217) Molecular Biology: Methods in Molecular Genetics Lab (Bi 180) Research: Bi 22, Current Bio Research (Bi 251)

Example Schedule

Premed?  If you’d like to go to Medical School, you’ll need to take an organic chemistry lab (Ch4a or Ch3b) in addition to the required biology courses…  Angela Wood, the premed advisor is fantastic, and can help you a lot!  Thursday 11/29 7-8:30- Ice Cream Social Avery Library

Advantages of Biology Major  You really don’t have to overload!  Curriculum is versatile: can follow genetics, biochemistry, neuroscience tracks, and be experienced in many different fields!  It prepares you for graduate school and/or medical school  Its flexibility allows you to study abroad and take a variety of classes at Caltech  And there is lots of interesting biology research!

Research  It’s easy to talk to Professors- come meet them at the Ice Cream Social! (Dec. 6)  Doing research before and after SURF can help wrap up the project- maybe even publish!  Ask other students! Especially members of BUSAC!

Questions?  We welcome suggestions and comments from all of you about the biology major  We accept applications for new BUSAC members during third term

Contact Information  Feel free to contact any of us!  BUSAC Chair Harish Vasudevan  BUSAC Secretary Helen Bermudez  Other BUSAC Members Senior: Vickie Pon, Csilla Felsen, Winston Zhao Junior: Angela Zah Sophomore: Jason Lunn, ZeNan Chang, Jonathan Tsai  BUSAC Faculty Adviser Prof. Marianne Bronner-Fraser