Pre-Major Students

The Human Biology and Society major is an application-based major. Demand for admission to both our HBS B.A. and HBS B.S. programs is very strong. Admission is based on your progress getting through the pre-major coursework, grades, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. Completion of course requirements or high GPA alone does not guarantee admission into the major.

In order to be admitted to the HBS major, students would need to apply in early spring of their sophomore year. Please note that all students (pre-HBS major or not) are welcome to apply as long as they meet minimum eligibility requirements (see table below). If the minimum eligibility requirements are not met by application time, students would need to fill out the “Petition for Exception to Minimum Eligibility Requirements” section embedded in the application.

Incoming first year students can select pre-HBS major status at the time of application to UCLA or during New Student Sessions. After that, students who wish to switch into the pre-HBS would need to complete Soc Gen 5 or Cluster M71A or Cluster M72A first before they can be declared as pre-HBS.

Prospective transfer students can select the HBS major at the time of application to UCLA. If admitted to UCLA, transfer students will automatically be declared into the pre-HBS major depending on the degree program they applied for. They will then be declared into the HBS major (no further application needed) after they meet with our ISG Undergraduate Advisor during New Student Sessions.

Incoming non-pre-HBS transfer admits who would like to “switch into” the HBS major need to apply to the major at the beginning of the Fall quarter of their first year at UCLA. Please be advised that the application process is extremely competitive, and admission is not guaranteed. Non-pre-HBS transfer students who get into UCLA as a life science major can apply to either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts (but not both). Non-pre-HBS transfer students who get into UCLA as a non-life science major can only apply to the Bachelor of Arts.

Pre-HBS BA Requirements 

Minimum eligibility requirements to apply:

Complete all pre-major requirements by the end of Spring quarter of sophomore year with a cumulative pre-major GPA of 2.900.

 

 
Pre-HBS BS Requirements

Minimum eligibility requirements to apply:

Complete at least 13 of the pre-major requirements (including Soc Gen 5 or Cluster M71A or Cluster M72A) by the end of Spring quarter of sophomore year with a cumulative pre-major GPA of 2.500.

Please note that once admitted to the major, all pre-major requirements still have to be completed by graduation with an overall pre-major GPA of 2.500.

Choose one of the three:

  • Soc Gen 5 (offered Winter and Summer quarters only)
  • Cluster M71A
  • Cluster M72A

Choose one of the three:

  • Soc Gen 5 (offered Winter and Summer quarters only)
  • Cluster M71A
  • Cluster M72A
Anthropology 1 Anthropology 1

4 social theory courses

Click here for list of approved social theory courses.

2 social theory courses

Click here for list of approved social theory courses.

Chemistry 14A or Chemistry 14AE

(If a student has course credit for Chem 20A, please contact Frenz via isgacademics@g.ucla.edu so he can manually plug in Chem 20A towards the Chem 14A(E) requirement.)

Choose one chemistry series:

  • Chem 14A(E) and Chem 14B(E) and Chem 14BL and Chem 14C and Chem 14D
  • Chem 20A and Chem 20B and Chem 20L and Chem 30A and Chem 30AL and Chem 30B
LifeSci 7A and LifeSci 7B and LifeSci 7C LifeSci 7A and LifeSci 7B and Life Sci 7C and LifeSci 23L
Choose one of the two:

  • Stats 10
  • Stats 13

 

Choose one of the three:

  • Stats 10 (if you took the Math 3 or Math 31 Series)
  • Stats 13 (if you took the Math 3 or Math 31/32 or LS 30 Series)
  • LifeSci 40 (if you took the LS 30 Series)

Choose one math series:

  • Math 3A and Math 3B and Math 3C
  • Math 31A(L) and Math 31B and Math 32A
  • LifeSci 30A and LifeSci 30B

Choose one physics series:

  • Physics 5A and Physics 5B and Physics 5C
  • Physics 1A and Physics 1B and Physics 1C and Physics 4AL and Physics 4BL
Sample Plans:

Below are sample plans that you can use as a general roadmap. Please note that each student’s plan may look differently from what is outlined below depending on summer coursework, AP/transfer credit, academic plans, etc. For individualized plans, please feel free to connect and set up an appointment with ISG Advisor Frenz via calendly.com/isg_frenz.

>> Checklist and Sample Plans for pre-HBS BA students

>> Checklist and Sample Plans for pre-HBS BS students

>> Blank template (for personal use)

Applying to the Major

Students must apply in the spring quarter of their second year. Applications will be posted on our Application page of our website. Please note that meeting minimum eligibility requirements alone does not guarantee admission.

Academic Advising 

For any HBS-related questions:

>> Please contact ISG Academic Advisor Frenz Cabison via isgacademics@g.ucla.edu.

>> To schedule an appointment, please use the following link calendly.com/isg_frenz. If none of the times work, please feel free to email him.

For any University and College requirements, please contact your College advising unit (which can be found on your DAR).

>> College Academic Counseling: https://caac.ucla.edu/contact-us/

>> Academic Advancement Program: https://www.aap.ucla.edu/units/aap-college-counseling/

>> College Honors: https://www.honors.ucla.edu/about/services-office-hours/

>> Athletics: https://uclabruins.com/sports/2013/4/17/academic-student-services-AS2.aspx

For any non-ISG department related questions:

>> Please connect with the respective department using this department contact sheet.

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