MIMG New Student Resources - First-Year-Admitted Students

MIMG Life Sciences: First- Year New Student Orientation Information (Presentation Copy)

About the MIMG Major (B.S.):

  • The MIMG major includes hands-on laboratory experience in virology or microbiology spanning two quarters. Many MIMG majors are interested in Pre-Health careers, research careers, and/or Grad or PhD programs. Our major prepares students for medicine, biotech, research, public health, and more. 
  • The MIMG major focuses on infectious diseases and immune responses, the study of bacterial and viral mechanisms, and the integration of molecular genetics with microbiological systems. MIMG 101- Introductory Microbiology, MIMG 185A- Immunology, and MIMG Path 1/Research Series are unique requirements to the MIMG major.
  • We recommend checking out MIMG's undergraduate overview, MIMG major requirements, and MIMG career resources to get insight into our major as well.

MIMG Major Preparation/Lower-Division Requirements (Life Sciences Core Curriculum)

  • Students must take each course for a letter grade and earn a C- or better.
  • Key areas:
    • Biology (1 series)
    • Calculus (1 series)
    • Chemistry (1 series)
    • Statistics (1 course)
    • Physics (1 series)

Life Science/Biology Series

All four courses required. 

Calculus Series

1 Calculus series:

***AP/IB credit may apply. If students completed MATH 31A and 31B and these transfer over as a minimum of 12.0 units, MATH 32A can potentially be exempt. 

Calculus & AP Credit

  • A.B. Exam:
    • If scored a 5: credit for MATH 31A or 3A → enroll in MATH 3B or 31B
    • If scored a 4: no credit, enroll in LIFESCI 30A, MATH 3A, or MATH 31A
  • B.C. Exam:
    • If scored a 5: credit for MATH 3B/31B → enroll in MATH 3C or 32A. 
    • If scored a 4: credit for MATH 31A or 3A → enroll in MATH 3B or 31B

Note: AP credit does NOT count toward Pre-Health calculus reqs.

Calculus Diagnostic Test

  • UCLA offers a math diagnostic test which is required to enroll in the Math 3A/3B/3C or Math 31A/31B/32A series.
  • 80% or above = placed in MATH 3A or MATH 31A
  • 60-80% required to enroll in MATH 31AL
  • 30-60% required to enroll in MATH 1 before taking series
  • Students may have AP/IB credit that can be counted toward these series- information on next slide. 

Chemistry Series

1 Chemistry series:

Both Chemistry series required Chemistry Diagnostic exam which should have been completed prior to orientation. 

Statistics Course*

1 course required:

  • STATS 13 or LIFESCI 40

*STATS 10 can be accepted for the STATS 13/LIFESCI 40 MIMG requirement only if students have completed this course at a community college or another institution prior to starting at UCLA. STATS 10 is not considered an equivalent course and is not an accepted alternate otherwise. 

Physics Series

1 Physics series required:

 

MIMG Major Requirements (Upper-Division, 10 Courses Minimum)

Students will complete these upper-division MIMG major requirements by graduation (by the end of your “Degree Expected Term”). 

5 Foundation Courses:

  • MIMG 101 - Introductory Microbiology (4 units)

  • CHEM 153A - Biochemistry (4 units)

  • LIFESCI 107- Genetics (5 units)

  • CHEM 153B - or - MIMG 132- Cell Biology (4 units)

  • MIMG 185A- Immunology (5 units)

MIMG Research Series (2 Quarters)

Path 1: Research Immersion Series (Automatic Option, 2 Courses)

  • MIMG 103AL - Research Immersion Lab in Virology (5 units) + MIMG 103BL - Advanced Research Analysis in Virology (4 units)

  • -OR-

  • MIMG 109AL - Research Immersion Lab in Microbiology (5 units) + MIMG 109BL - Advanced Research Analysis in Microbiology (4 units)

Path 2 (Independent Research and Application Required, 4 Courses):

  • Path 2 requires that students already be working in an MIMG lab or UCLA faculty lab conducting MIMG research. Please see MIMG’s Undergrad. Research Guide for suggested steps and resources. 

  • Path 2 is not guaranteed, and students must apply to Path 2 no later than Fall of their senior year. 

  • Path 2 students are enrolled in 2 classes (seminar + research contract course) per quarter enrolled in Path 2 (4 courses total). 

2 MIMG Focus Electives

Students will choose two total “Focus Electives” to complete from our MIMG Focus Electives list.

Note: Any single course can be used in only ONE category of the major. For example, students cannot use CHEM 153B nor MIMG 132 as both a Foundation course and an elective. If students take both CHEM 153B and MIMG 132, the second course completed will be counted toward the Focus Elective requirement unless requested otherwise. 

1 MIMG General Elective 

Students will choose one total “General Elective” to complete from our MIMG General Electives list.

Note: Any single course can be used in only ONE category of the major. For example, students cannot use CHEM 153B nor MIMG 132 as both a Foundation course and an elective. If students take both CHEM 153B and MIMG 132, the second course completed will be counted toward the Focus Elective requirement unless requested otherwise. 

Pre-Health Planning

What is “Pre-Health”?

  • “Pre-Health” is an umbrella term, referring to the pathways that prepare students for careers in healthcare professions (i.e. medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, dental, physical therapy, veterinary fields, etc.). 
  • UCLA has several Pre-Health services and Pre-Health resources for students. 
  • Pre-Health students MUST consult individual professional schools in addition to UCLA general guidance as professional schools can theoretically change their individual admission requirements at any time. 

Pre-Health Requirements Overview

  • Pre-Health students applying to health professional programs such as medical school will have additional Pre-Health requisite requirements needed for application. Many of these requirements will align with the Life Science Core.
  • Pre-Health students MUST consult individual health professional schools in addition to this general guidance.
  • A.P. coursework does not typically apply toward Pre-Health/Pre-Med requirements. Only community college or four-year institution coursework is considered “college-level” for medical school or Pre-Health purposes.

Pre-Health Requirements 

  • 3 courses of Writing (“W”), English (ENGL), and/or Comparative Literature (COM LIT) courses
  • 3 courses of Math/Calculus and Statistics. This may be covered by Life Science Core requirements depending on your major. 
  • Biology Series with Lab (“1 year of Biology” covered by Life Science Core)
  • Chemistry Series with Labs (i.e. Life Science Core series in addition to Chem 14CL or 30BL - Organic Chem. lab). 
  • Physics Series with Lab (covered by Life Science Core)
  • Students should please review additional requirements by field. 
    • Example: Recommended for Medical School
      • PSYCH 10 (Psychology) - MCAT preparation
      • SOCIOL 01 (Sociology) - MCAT preparation
      • Spanish is recommended for competitiveness, especially if practicing in California. 

Pre-Health Course Planning Requirements Support

Pre-Health Application & Career Planning

Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research

MIMG Undergraduate Research

  • All students who enter the major are automatically enrolled in Path 1: MIMG Research Immersion Laboratories, an authentic research experience within a two-course series. We offer two focuses: virology and microbiology. 
  • Students may also engage in research in UCLA faculty member's labs. Please see the MIMG Undergraduate Research Guide for steps and resources on how to get connected to a lab and find research opportunities. MIMG does not place student in labs.
  • There are different options for receiving academic credit and major credit for MIMG research conducted in a UCLA faculty member's lab (including MIMG 99s and 199s, MIMG’s Path 2, and/or MIMG Departmental Honors).
  • Please contact MIMG Advisors to inquire about options for your lab once you are connected to research.

MIMG Major Frequently Asked Questions (“F.A.Q.’s”)

  • What are MIMG’s “Path 1” & “Path 2”?
    • “Path 1” & “Path 2” describe the different ways students can fulfill MIMG’s upper division research requirement for the major. 
  • Can students choose between “Path 1” & “Path 2”?
    • All MIMG students are automatically Path 1, and a majority of MIMG students are Path 1. 
    • Students must already be engaged in MIMG research in a faculty mentor's lab/meet eligibility requirements and apply to Path 2. Path 2 is not guaranteed.

Life Sciences Majors

Life Sciences Minors at UCLA

Switching Your Life Science Major During Orientation: 

Switching Your Major Beginning Fall 2026 Quarter:

  • First-year admitted students should please connect with UCLA College Advisors in addition to the respective UCLA Major Departmental Advisors to inquire about switching majors.
  • Each UCLA Life Science Major will have a different requirements for major entry, and some programs will require applications.

Additional MIMG Student Resources & UCLA Student Resources available on the MIMG Undergraduate website.

Life Sciences Core Curriculum: Overview

  • Common Life Science Major Preparation:
    • Life Science students at UCLA (including MIMG students) take the same major preparation courses during the first two years at UCLA.
    • The Life Science Core (L.S. Core) makes up most of the coursework during students' first two years as a Life Sciences major at UCLA (approximately two Life Sciences Core courses per quarter). 
    • These courses provide a strong, interdisciplinary foundation applicable to Life Science majors. 
  • Interdisciplinary Teaching:
    • Courses taught by faculty from diverse life science departments, exposing students to different disciplines.
  • Life Science Core/ MIMG Major Preparation Requirements include: 

Life Sciences Core Curriculum Requirements: 

Life Science Series

All four courses required. 

Chemistry Series

Choose 1 Chemistry series:

Calculus Series

Choose 1 Calculus series:

Math Diagnostic Test & Entry Requirements

A.P. Exam Credit (A.B. exam and/or B.C. exam scores): 

  • If scored a 5 on the A.B. exam, students have credit for MATH 31A and should enroll in MATH 3B or 31B. 
  • If scored a 5 on the B.C. exam, students have credit for both MATH 31A and 31B, and students should enroll in MATH 3C or 32A. 
  • If scored a 4 on the A.B. exam, students have no credit for calculus. Students should enroll in LIFESCI 30A, MATH 3A, or MATH 31A. 
  • If scored a 4 on the B.C. exam, , students have credit for MATH 31A and should enroll in MATH 3B or 31B. 

Math Diagnostic Test

  • If students scored above 80%, students have credit for MATH 31A and should enroll in MATH 3B or 31B. 
  • If students scored between 60-80%, students will be placed in MATH 31AL. 
  • If students scored between 30%-60%, students will be placed in MATH 1. 

Statistics (required by MIMG specifically)

Choose 1 course: LIFESCI 40 OR STATS 13*

Physics Series

Choose 1 Physics series:

Pre-Health at U.C.L.A.

  • “Pre-health” is an umbrella term, referring to the pathways that prepare students for careers in healthcare professions (i.e. medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, dental, physical therapy, veterinary fields, etc.). 
  • U.C.L.A. has several Pre-Health services and Pre-Health resources for students. We recommend checking out U.C.L.A.’s Pre-Health Requirements Worksheet for a guide to common professional school requirements and their UCLA equivalent courses. 

Medical School Requirements

  • 3 quarters of college English (A.P. coursework does not apply, only community college or four-year institution coursework). These can be English, Writing, and/or or Comparative Literature subject courses. 
  • 3 quarters of college Math, including Statistics (A.P. coursework does not apply, only community college or four-year institution coursework). This may be covered by L.S. core requirements depending on your major. 
  • 1 year of Biology with lab (covered by L.S. core LIFESCI series 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7L). 
  • LIFESCI chemistry series in addition to Chem 14CL or 30BL (additional Organic Chem. lab). 
  • 1 year of Physics with lab (covered by L.S. core Physics series). 
  • PSYCH 10 and SOCIOL 01 recommended for MCAT preparation. 
  • Spanish recommended for competitiveness, especially if practicing in California. 

 

Fall 2026 Course Planning Recommendations (for First-Year Admitted MIMG Majors)

Students will enroll in 3 courses total during UCLA New Student Orientation:

  • 2 Life Sciences Core/ Major preparation classes:

    • Any combination of 1- Calculus (i.e. LIFESCI 30A) and 2- Life Sciences (LIFESCI 7A) -or- Chemistry (i.e. CHEM 14A). 

    • Examples:

      • LIFESCI 7A & LIFESCI 30A
      • CHEM 14A & LIFESCI 30A
  • 1 non-major class (U.C.L.A. requirement)

    • Examples: Cluster, ENG COMP 3 course, UCLA G.E. course as recommended by UCLA New Student Advisor. 

Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research

Life Sciences Majors

Life Sciences Minors at UCLA

Switching Your Life Science Major

During Orientation: 

First-Year Admitted Students in the College of Letters and Sciences (i.e. MIMG majors and Life Sciences majors) are permitted to switch their major within the College of Letters of Sciences during UCLA New Student Orientation prior to enrolling in Fall 2026 courses. Students' New Student Advisors will guide this process.

Beginning Fall 2026 quarter (After UCLA New Student Orientation): 

Students should please connect with UCLA College Advisors* for major switch inquiries in addition to the respective UCLA Departmental Advisors and/or the respective UCLA Professional School Advisors. Each UCLA Life Science Major will have a different requirements for major entry, and some programs will require applications. 

Students can confirm their College Advising Unit at the top of the Degree Audit (within MyUCLA). 

If students have a minor or an additional major, they should please connect with the respective UCLA Departmental Advisors and/or the respective UCLA Professional School Advisors. 

Land Acknowledgement

UCLA Life Sciences acknowledge the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present, and emerging.

Questions

If there are any questions about the MIMG major or this information, please kindly contact MIMG Advisors at undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu, including your UCLA U.I.D. number. Thank you!