Society and Genetics Minor Program
Learn about the various problems and possibilities of modern genetics, especially in their social context, by pursuing a minor in ‘Society and Genetics.’ Genetically modified foods, forensic uses of DNA, new cloning technologies, gene testing and therapies, genetic privacy, gene patents, mapping DNA through human history, politics of race and heredity, and genetics of behavior are just some of the topics you are likely to encounter through coursework in the minor. Opportunities are also available for faculty supervised individual studies coursework and research apprenticeships.
Graduating with a minor in Society and Genetics gives you a basic understanding of modern genetics, its implications for society, and how societal forces and institutions in turn shape the direction of modern genomics research. You are also exposed to an interdisciplinary way of thinking about complex issues which is broadly applicable to law, medicine, business, academia, and public policy.
Admission to our minor program is by application and competitive. Your grades and a personal statement are the primary criteria on which admissions decisions are based; we do not require any preparatory coursework for the minor. Applications are accepted and reviewed ONLY during Fall quarter each year. Applicants must be entering their JUNIOR fall quarter. Students in their first or second year of undergraduate study should wait until fall quarter of their junior year to apply. About 30-40 undergraduates are typically admitted to our minor program each year. We are looking for applicants from all academic backgrounds – both B.A. and B.S. Incoming transfer students are very welcome to apply. Minimum GPA 2.5 is required to apply, however, GPA 3.0 or above is a better predictor of who will benefit most from our minor program.
Please note that if you are already admitted to the HBS major, you are not eligible to minor in Society and Genetics.
Minor Coursework
The minor in Society and Genetics is a seven to eight course program of study. There are 2 pathways to completion of our minor.
Path A (for those not taking LS 107)
1. Society and Genetics 101**
2. Society and Genetics 102 (take this spring quarter of your junior year)
3. Society and Genetics 191S*** (take this spring quarter of your senior year)
4. Elective #1
5. Elective #2
6. Elective #3
7. Elective #4
Path B (for those taking LS 107)
1. Life Sciences 107
2. Society and Genetics 102 (take this spring quarter of your junior year)
3. Society and Genetics 191S*** (take this spring quarter of your senior year)
4. Elective #1
5. Elective #2
6. Elective #3
7. Elective #4
8. Elective #5
** Please note that Society and Genetics 101 will no longer be offered. To fulfill this requirement, you would need to take Anthropology 126N: Genes, Disease, and Culture as an alternative.
*** When enrolling in Society and Genetics 191S in the spring quarter of your senior year, please contact isgacademics@g.ucla.edu for enrollment assistance.
RESOURCES
• List of Approved SocGen minor electives
• Sample 2-Year Plan for Soc Gen minor requirements
IMPORTANT NOTES
• Letter grade is required for all coursework in the minor.
• Cumulative average GPA of 2.5 or better is needed to enter the minor.
• Coursework in the minor program must achieve a cumulative average GPA of 2.5 or better.
• For any minor program, the College requires at least 20 units to be exclusively applied toward that minor (this means that these 20 units should not be shared with any other major or minor).
• A minimum total of 30 units is required for the completion of our minor program.
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Pre-HBS students: to receive emails from the Undergraduate Counselor, subscribe to our listserv