Transcript Biology Information Session

Biology Information Session
Sponsored by BUSAC and the Biology
Division
November 27, 2007
What is BUSAC?
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Biology Undergraduate Student
Advisory Committee
A group of undergraduate students
who want to improve the biology
curriculum!
What BUSAC does
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Sponsor socials bringing professors
and students together.
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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
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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
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Some classes are still required:
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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
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The final requirement is to take 146
units of Bio classes in at least two
tracks.
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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
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Biochemistry
Neurobiology
Genetics
Developmental Biology
Interdisciplinary Studies
Organismal Biology
Cell Biology
Curriculum: Freshman Year
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Required Courses:
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Intro to Molecular Biology (Bi 8)
Cell Biology (Bi 9)
(And Core classes)
Recommended Courses:
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Current Research in Biology (Bi 2)
Cell Biology Lab (Bi 10)
Curriculum: Sophomore Year
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Required Courses:
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Organic Chemistry (Ch 41 abc)
Genetics (Bi 122)
(And core classes)
Electives in tracks of your choice
Curriculum: Junior Year
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Required Courses:
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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. 186-189 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
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Required Courses:
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Courses not previously completed
Electives:
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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
Requirement
Intro
Adv lab
Bi/Ch
Writing/Oral
Course
Bi 8
Bi 9
Bi 117
Bi 122
Bi/CNS 150
Ch 41abc
Bi 180
Bi/Ch 110
Bi/Ch 111
Bi 24
Units
9
9
9
9
10
27
12
12
12
Year Taken
Frosh
Frosh
Junior
Soph
Junior
Soph
Senior
Junior
Junior
6 Senior
Distribution Req.
Biochem 1 (G)
Bi/Ch 113
12 Junior
Biochem 2 (G)
Bi/Ch 132
9 Senior
Organismal 1 (G)
Bi 114
Organismal 2 (G)
Dist 5
Bi 145a
Bi 145b
9 Senior
9 Senior
Dist 6
BMB/Bi/Ch 170
9 Senior
12 Junior
Premed?
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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!
([email protected])
Thursday 11/29 7-8:30- Ice Cream Social
Avery Library
Advantages of Biology Major
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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
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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 projectmaybe even publish!
Ask other students! Especially
members of BUSAC!
Questions?
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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
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Feel free to contact any of us!
BUSAC Chair
 Harish Vasudevan ([email protected])
BUSAC Secretary
 Helen Bermudez ([email protected])
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