L&S First-Year Pathways

In the Biological Systems cluster, you will build a solid foundation in the physical sciences for such majors as Integrative Biology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Chemistry, and more. You will learn the building blocks of humanity through coursework in General Chemistry with its accompanying lab, Calculus I, natural history, and integrative human biology. While engaging with the natural world, you will fulfill the Physical Science and Biological Science breadth requirements.

Course Descriptions

• CHEM 1A: General Chemistry, 3 Units
  Stoichiometry of chemical reactions, quantum mechanical description of atoms, the elements and periodic table, chemical bonding, real and ideal gases, thermochemistry, introduction to thermodynamics and equilibrium, acid-base and solubility equilibria, introduction to oxidation-reduction reactions, introduction to chemical kinetics.
  
  
• CHEM 1AL: General Chemistry Laboratory, 2 Units
  An experimental approach to chemical sciences with emphasis on developing fundamental, reproducible laboratory technique and a goal of understanding and achieving precision and accuracy in laboratory experiments. Proper use of laboratory equipment and standard wet chemical methods are practiced. Areas of investigations include chemical equilibria, spectroscopy, nanotechnology, green chemistry, and thermochemistry. Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in 1A is required.
  
  
• INTEGBI 11: California Natural History, 3 Units
  An introduction to the biomes, plants, and animals of California. The lectures will introduce natural history as the foundation of the sciences, with an overview of geology, paleontology, historical biology, botany, zoology, ecosystem ecology, and conservation biology. The field labs will include activities on the UC Berkeley campus and around the Bay Area. Course is open to all students without prerequisite and will provide a foundation for advanced study in biology and field biology.
  
  
• INTEGBI 77A: Integrative Human Biology, 1 Unit
  Each week a different Integrative Biology faculty member will give a one hour lecture on how their research field contributes to our understanding of human biology. The integration of the disciplines of evolution, ecology, paleontology, comparative physiology, and comparative anatomy in the study of how humans function in ecosystems illuminates our understanding of human biology. During each presentation, the faculty member will also inform students about IB courses they teach, research in their lab, and which Berkeley Natural History Museum they may be affiliated with. This course gives undergraduates an opportunity to learn about the spectrum of research and courses offered by the different IB faculty.
  
  
• MATH 51: Calculus I, 4 Units
  This course is intended for STEM majors. An introduction to differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, with applications and an introduction to transcendental functions. Prior to Fall 2025, this course was offered as Math 1A.
  
  
• MATH 1: Foundations of Lower Division Mathematics, 2 Units
  This course aims to bring students with varying Math backgrounds up-to-speed with the expectations of UC Berkeley’s lower division mathematics courses. This course will support comprehension of the fundamental concepts necessary to excel in Math 16A/16B, 1A/1B, 10A/10B, and beyond. You can take this prep course concurrently with or prior to your Calculus classes. The course curriculum covers algebraic operations, laws of exponents and logarithms, inequalities and absolute values, single-variable function properties, polynomials, power and exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, coordinate geometry in two and three dimensions, complex numbers, and functions of several variables.

Meeting Schedule

• CHEM 1A: MWF 9:00-10:00 AM; Discussion M 2:00-3:00 PM
• CHEM 1AL: M 10:00-11:00 AM; Discussion R 6:00-9:00 PM
• INTEGBI 11: TR 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
• INTEGBI 77A: W 2:00-3:00 PM
• MATH 51: TR 9:30-11:00 AM; Discussion MWF 4:00-5:00 PM
• MATH 1: TR 3:30-5:00 PM; Discussion Asynchronous

Major Prerequisites and L&S Breadth/General Requirements