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High School Preparation
In addition to the courses required for UC admission, high school students who intend to major in plant sciences should take high school courses in biology, chemistry, advanced mathematics (precalculus), and physics.
Transfer Preparation
The faculty encourage applications from transfer students in the biological sciences. Students and their college advisers are strongly recommended to examine the degree requirements for the student’s intended major.Students should satisfy as many introductory requirements as possible prior to transfer. Courses offered at the student’s institution should be compared to the UC Santa Cruz transfer agreements (found at www.assist.org) and/or course descriptions to ensure that they will qualify for transfer. It is very important for transfer students to complete science prerequisite courses before transfer, especially calculus, general chemistry, and an introductory biology sequence. Students should also take physics, if possible. Prospective transfer students should contact the biology undergraduate advising office for further information (see the For More Information section). In addition, please see the Course Substitution/Transfer Credit section.
Introductory requirements for the plant sciences major are:
• Biology 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology 20B, Development and Physiology; Biology 20C, Ecology and Evolution
• Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N, General Chemistry with Laboratory (three quarters)
• Applied Mathematics and Statistics 7/L, Biostatistics with Laboratory
• Mathematics 11A-B, Calculus with Applications (two quarters)
• Physics 7A/L and 7B/M, Elementary Physics with Laboratory (two quarters)
Course Substitution/Transfer Credit
At least half of the upper-division courses (Biology 100–190) required for each biological sciences major must be taken through the biological sciences program at UC Santa Cruz, not as transfer credits from another department or institution. Transfer students are advised to contact the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Advising Office before enrolling in numerous upper-division courses at other institutions.
Careers
Students with bachelor’s degrees in plant sciences find employment opportunities in a variety of fields. In conjunction with a graduate degree in teaching, students often use their biology background to teach science at the K–12 level, and there are increasing opportunities for a career in science writing.
Positions for both research biologists and technicians with local, state, and federal governmental agencies are also commonly pursued. Examples of employment opportunities for biologists with California’s state agencies include: the Environmental Protection Agency; Departments of Conservation, Fish and Game; and the California Coastal Commission (these and other applicable state agencies are listed at resources.ca.gov). Examples of federal agencies include: National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; United States Geological Service’s Biological Resources Division; Environmental Protection Agency, National Marine Sanctuaries, National Park Service, and others. Museums and zoos (conservation research centers) are increasingly hiring biologists to study and conserve biodiversity. The number of local, regional, national, and international non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), especially those oriented toward conservation of biodiversity, continues to grow rapidly. These organizations hire students as interns and permanent technical staff.
Elsewhere in the private sector, students find employment with environmental consulting and biotechnology firms. Academic research institutions also hire students for technical research positions. All of the above provide students opportunities to explore career trajectories as they consider continuing their education in graduate programs. A degree in the plant sciences also serves as an excellent stepping-stone to further training in professional schools, including veterinary science, medicine, and dentistry. The strong reputation of the ecology and evolutionary biology program at UC Santa Cruz underpins the strong record of successful placement of its graduates in employment and graduate programs.
Education Abroad Opportunities
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers qualified students unique opportunities to broaden their educational horizons. Biological Sciences encourages interested students to participate. Many programs are in English-speaking countries or use English for advanced courses. Many programs offer small classes, and extensive laboratory and/or field research experience.
There are excellent programs for biological science students in Costa Rica, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. The Costa Rica Tropical Biology Program is of note to students interested in tropical biology and ecology. Held spring and fall quarters at the Monteverde Research Station, this program gives students experience with hands-on field research, offers a homestay program, and carries credit for two upper-division biology courses. The University of Queensland (Australia) offers an intensive, full-semester Marine Science Program, which includes a stay at a research station on the Great Barrier Reef, near sheltered mangrove and seagrass habitats.
Students interested in study abroad need to get an early start on their basic science requirements, including general and organic chemistry, math, and introductory biology. Visit the EAP office as soon as possible to begin planning, and seek advice about your academic plan from the biological sciences undergraduate adviser and/or faculty adviser.
Academic Advising
Academic advising is available at the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Advising Office. Students should take full advantage of this opportunity and should keep in frequent touch with the office to stay informed about late announcements of courses, changes in scheduling, and opportunities for special study.
The advising office publishes the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Web Site, which contains substantial advice and information pertinent to students. Each student in the major should review the information posted on the web site; for further assistance, contact the advising office.
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The plant sciences major is designed for students with an interest in plant biology and its associated curricular fields such as plant ecology, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant molecular biology, soils, and applied plant sciences. 
PlantSci07.pdf
