Overview
There is no department of biology at UC Berkeley; courses in the biological sciences are offered through the departments of Integrative Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Plant and Microbial Biology.
However, Berkeley offers three interdepartmental biology courses, which provide a broad, basic introduction to the biological sciences for both majors and non-majors. These courses are taught by faculty from all three of the biology departments on campus. The name "biology" has been retained for these courses to reflect their interdepartmental character.
BIOLOGY 1A General Biology Lecture & BIOLOGY 1AL General Biology Laboratory and BIOLOGY 1B General Biology Lecture and Laboratory are each taught both semesters, and students may enroll in either (but not both) during either the fall or spring semester. Courses do not need to be taken in any particular order.
For information regarding undergraduate programs and other courses in the biological sciences, please see the following department listings in this Bulletin:
Integrative Biology
Molecular and Cell Biology
Plant and Microbial Biology
Courses
Biology
BIOLOGY 1A General Biology Lecture 3 Units
General introduction to cell structure and function, molecular and organismal genetics, animal development, form and function. Intended for biological sciences majors, but open to all qualified students.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Chemistry 1A and 1AL or equivalent with grade of C- or higher, or a 4 or 5 score on the Chemistry AP test; Chemistry 3A or 112A recommended; BIOLOGY 1AL must be taken concurrently (unless exempt by major)
Credit Restrictions: 1B may be taken before 1A.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
BIOLOGY 1AL General Biology Laboratory 2 Units
Laboratory that accompanies 1A lecture course. Intended for biological science majors, but open to all qualified students.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 1A must be taken concurrently
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 6 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
BIOLOGY 1B General Biology Lecture and Laboratory 4 Units
General introduction to plant development, form, and function; population genetics, ecology, and evolution. Intended for students majoring in the biological sciences, but open to all qualified students. Students must take both BIOLOGY 1A and 1B to complete the sequence. Sponsored by Integrative Biology.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 8 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Biology/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.