Life Sciences Core (Major Preparation)

Life Sciences Core Overview

The UCLA Life Sciences 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 Life Sciences Core includes all preparation courses for the MIMG major. 

Each MIMG major preparation course must be passed with a grade of C− or better. 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. 

MIMG Major Preparation Requirements:

Life Sciences (4 Courses Total)

Complete 4 courses:

• LIFESCI 7A - Cell & Molecular Bio.
• LIFESCI 7B - Genetics Evolution & Ecology
• LIFESCI 7C - Physiology & Human Bio.
• LIFESCI 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* 
  *(Neither CHEM 14CL nor CHEM 30BL are not required of MIMG majors, but may be required for pre-health professional schools. 

See requisite requirements here.

Calculus (1 Series Total)

Choose 1 Calculus series:

• Math for Life Scientists Series: LIFESCI 30A, LIFESCI 30B
• Calculus for Life Scientists Series: MATH 3A, MATH 3B, MATH 3C
• Calculus Series: MATH 31A, MATH 31B, MATH 32A

See requisite requirements here.

Statistics (1 Course Total)

Choose 1 course: LIFESCI 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 only transfer students who have already taken Stats 10 at community colleges or other four-year institutions prior to starting at UCLA.

Physics (1 Series Total)

Choose 1 Physics series:

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

MIMG Preparation Requirements Planning Support

• Please see MIMG Course Planning Resources for examples of how to plan MIMG preparation requirements.
  • Students must meet course requisite requirements to be able to enroll.
  • The MIMG major requirements do not necessarily all need to be completed within two years or before beginning any upper-division MIMG major courses.
  • No MIMG Major Foundation or Research Courses require Physics as requisites. Therefore, students can finish the Physics series within a timeline approved by MIMG Advisors.
  • For inquiries about switching between series, please contact MIMG Advisors.
• Please contact MIMG Advisors for support with course planning and timely completion of Life Science Core/MIMG major preparation requirements.