Welcome to Integrative Biology!  On this page, we will provide you with some answers to frequently asked questions and help you to separate fact from fiction. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact our staff and peer advisors by email, or stop by the IB/MCB Undergraduate Student Services Office in 3060 Valley Life Sciences Building. Our contact information and advising hours can be found on the Undergraduate Home page. 

How do I get started in Integrative Biology? What are the courses required?

All students who plan to major in Integrative Biology must take the same set of prerequisites, even though you can choose from two different upper-division emphases within the major. See the chart below, which shows you all of the lower-division courses and when they are offered. Not all lower-division courses are required to declare IB. See our page on Declaring IB for more details on that process.

 

Can I use my AP scores in biology, math, physics, or chemistry to waive requirements?

The Department of Integrative Biology does not accept any test scores (AP, IB, A-Levels, etc) to waive the lower-division IB requirements.

 

What should I take during my first semester at Cal?

High School Preparation	Suggested classes for the IB major for fall
Chemistry & pre-calculus	IB 77A; Chem 1A/1AL; Math 1A, 10A, or Math 32
AP Calculus AB or BC test	IB 77A; Chem 1A/1AL; Math 1A or 10A

 

I'm confused. Is there anyone I can talk to?

We are available to speak with you in-person or over zoom all year (including the summer). Our contact info and office hours can be found on the undergrad homepage.

Our staff advisors also presented major overview sessions during Golden Bear Advising and Orientation events for incoming freshmen. Click below to rewatch the GBA webinar or go through the GBO slides.

       

What if I want to work out a four-year plan?

We have some sample plans for you to take a look at here. You can always come into the advising office and speak with a peer advisor (fall, spring) or a staff advisor. Our contact info and office hours can be found on the undergrad homepage.

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Example of program beginning in the fall semester of freshman year  - Emphasis 1: Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology

	Fall	Spring
Freshman	Math 10A or 1A Chem 1A/1AL IB 77A	Math 10B or 1B Chem 3A/3AL
Sophomore	Chem 3B/3BL Biology 1B	Biology 1A/1AL Physics 8A
Junior	IB Req. Group A or B Physics 8B	IB Req. Group B w/ field lab IB Req. Group C or elective
Senior	IB Req. Group B (w/lab?) IB Req. Group A or C	IB Req. Elective or 2nd Lab IB Req. Elective

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Example of program beginning in the fall semester of freshman year  - Emphasis 2: Integrative Human Biology

	Fall	Spring
Freshman	Math 10A or 1A Chem 1A/1AL IB 77A	Math 10B or 1B Biology 1B
Sophomore	Chem 3A/3AL Physics 8A	Chem 3B/3BL Physics 8B
Junior	Biology 1A/1AL IB Req. Group B	IB Req. Group C IB Req. Elective
Senior	IB Req. Group C w/lab IB Req. Group A	IB Req. 2nd Lab IB Req. Elective

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Example of program beginning in the spring semester of freshman year. (FPF, Global Edge, etc.)

	Fall	Spring
Freshman	Math 10A or 1A	Math 10B or 1B Chem 1A/1AL IB 77B
Sophomore	Chem 3A/3AL Biology 1B	Chem 3B/3BL Physics 8A
Junior	Biology 1A/1AL Physics 8B IB Elective	IB Req. Group C IB Req. Group B or Elective
Senior	IB Req. Group C w/ lab IB Elective	IB Req. Group A IB Elective w/ lab

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Is it possible to graduate in 3 or 3.5 years? How does this differ from the standard 4 year plan?

Yes, sample plans comparing 3, 3.5, and 4 year options can be found by clicking the sentence below^†. Students interested in the 3 or 3.5 year plan should consider the impact that these course intensive options may have on the Integrative Biology (IB) and Cal experience. First, students may lose the opportunity to participate in substantial research training and to develop their own pathways in original research, which could limit post-graduate options. Second, because some IB courses are offered only every two years, course options may be limited. Lastly, students may be limited in their participation in off-campus programs, study abroad programs, and internships, as well as in department student organizations.

^†It is important for students considering this shortened path to talk with a major advisor as soon as possible after arriving on campus so that we can create a customized plan. 

 

Why do I receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree even though I'm studying IB?

The word "Arts" in Bachelor of Arts does not mean arts in the modern sense. You are receiving a "liberal arts" degree in the classical sense: the term refers to those subjects that were considered essential for a free citizen to study in ancient Rome – and those subjects included mathematics and astronomy! Like Harvard undergraduates, who also earn a BA degree, you attend a liberal arts college. A liberal arts education will ensure that you graduate with both a depth of knowledge in your major and a breadth of knowledge across the disciplines, making you well prepared for a range of graduate school and career options.

Specifically, the IB major is housed within the College of Letters & Science and is designed to balance depth in the science and knowledge of subjects beyond your major, such as anthropology, legal studies, economics, etc. Many students use this opportunity to declare a minor, participate in the Course Threads program, and/or demonstrate success in a multitude of areas.