Life Science Core (Major Preparation)

Life Science (LS) Core Overview

The Life Sciences (LS) Core curriculum is comprised of four areas (chemistry, life sciences, math, and physics) designed to prepare students for any discipline in the life sciences. The LS Core includes all preparation courses for the MIMG major. 

Each LS Core/MIMG major preparation course must be passed with a grade of C− or better, and all courses must be completed with an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better. Students receiving a grade of D or lower in two core curriculum courses, either in separate courses or repetitions of the same course, are subject to dismissal from the major. Students must meet course requisite requirements to be able to enroll (see requisite requirements here).

Please see MIMG Course Planning Resources and contact MIMG Advisors for more information on completing LS Core/MIMG major preparation requirements in a timely manner. 

Course Requirements:

Life Sciences (4 Courses Total)

Complete 4 courses:

• LS 7A - Cell & Molecular Bio.
• LS 7B - Genetics Evolution & Ecology
• LS 7C - Physiology & Human Bio.
• LS 7L - Intro. to Lab. & Scientific Methods

See requisite requirements here.

General & Organic Chemistry (1 Series Total)

Choose 1 Chemistry series:

• Life Science Series: Chem 14A (or Chem 14AE), Chem 14B (or Chem 14BE), Chem 14BL, Chem 14C, Chem 14CL*, Chem 14D
• Physical Science Series: Chem 20A, Chem 20B, Chem 20L, Chem 30A, Chem 30AL, Chem 30B, Chem 30BL* 
  *(Chem 14CL and Chem 30BL are not required of MIMG majors, but are usually required for pre-health professional schools. 

See requisite requirements here.

Calculus (1 Series Total)

Choose 1 Calculus series:

• LS 30A and LS 30B (Math for Life Scientists Series)
• Math 3A, Math 3B, Math 3C (Calculus for Life Scientists Series)
• Math 31A, Math 31B, Math 32A (Calculus Series)

See requisite requirements here.

Statistics (1 Course Total)

Choose 1 course: LS 40 OR Stats 13*

See requisite requirements here.

*Stats 10 is not an appropriate alternative to Stats 13 for our major purposes. Exceptions are made for transfer students who have already taken Stats 10 prior to starting at UCLA.

Physics (1 Series Total)

Choose 1 Physics series:

• Physics 5A, Physics 5B, Physics 5C (Physics for Life Science Majors Series)
• Physics 1A, Physics 1B, Physics 1C, Physics 4AL, Physics 4BL (Physics for Scientists & Engineers Series)

*The Physics series must be successfully completed by time of graduation, but no required MIMG Major Courses list Physics are required requisites. 

For inquiries about LS core courses or switching between series, please contact the MIMG Advising Team at undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu.