Study the distribution and diversity of plant life from the sub-molecular to the organismal level.
The Bachelor of Science program in Genetics and Plant Biology in the Rausser College of Natural Resources combines traditional plant sciences (physiology, biochemistry, morphology) with more recent biological disciplines (molecular genetics and genomics) to study the role of plants in the global environment.
Offered by the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, the Genetics and Plant Biology major explores the distribution and diversity of plant life from the sub-molecular to the organismal level. Relevant applications include biotechnology, bioenergy, agriculture, biomedical, food science, bio informatics, and genetic counseling. There is momentous work to be done for those who want to unravel the mystery of genes, bring expertise to medical school, educate future biologists, or develop methods to feed the world!
Highlights
- Individualize your studies with one of four major concentrations.
- Get involved with a Rausser student group.
- Connect with the Plant and Microbial Biology alumni network.
Curriculum
Lower division courses in the Genetics and Plant Biology major provide a foundation in biological and physical sciences as preparation for advanced study at the upper division level.
Electives in the major are organized into four concentrations: (1) biotechnology and bioenergy; (2) plant diversity and evolution; (3) plant genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics; and (4) plant microbe interactions. Most students take 2-3 courses per semester towards their major, so they have flexibility to add elective courses from outside the major, sometimes culminating in a minor or second major. Many of our students also study abroad for a semester and even a year (with good planning).
Learn more at nature.berkeley.edu/advising/majors/genetics-and-plant-biology
About PMB
The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology is committed to the University of California’s mission of dedicated research and to providing a superior education in plant biology, microbiology, and related life sciences. It consistently ranks among the top institutions worldwide for research and training in plant biology and microbiology. Fast-changing technology and developments are integrated into research while collaborative partnerships are developed with other scientists and research institutions at UC Berkeley and around the world.
Declaring the Major
First-year and transfer students accepted to UC Berkeley and who selected Genetics and Plant Biology on their undergraduate admissions application will be admitted directly to the Rausser College of Natural Resources and the GPB major (no declaration required).
If you are currently a Rausser student and wish to declare a new major within the college, you must meet with the advisor for your intended major after completing the requirements to declare. If you are a UC Berkeley student in another college, you must meet the requirements to change into Rausser and declare a new major.
The Genetics and Plant Biology major prepares students well for graduate school in a number of biological fields, and because it mirrors the requirements for medical school and other health professional schools, it is an excellent choice for pre-med students. The degree provides a firm grounding for students who want to follow career paths related to biology, science in general, or technology, such as those that are geared toward technical research in government, academia, or industry, including biotechnology. Graduates can also pursue a variety of careers in areas such as health or environmental consulting, science education, or technical writing and editing.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Genetics and Plant Biology. Rausser College partners with Berkeley Career Engagement to help students access resources, events, and professional opportunities related to their studies. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career counseling, professional and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Analyst
- Biology Teacher
- Computer Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Project Manager
- Research Assistant
- Research Associate
- Technical Support Engineer
- Web Engineer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Bioengineering
- Genetics
- Horticultural Science
- Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Biology
- Soil Science and Agronomy
Yaeko, class of 2026
With a microbiologist grandmother, Yaeko Long has had an eye in the microscope since childhood. Yaeko graduated UC Berkeley with a BS in Genetics and Plant Biology and a minor in Food Systems. Their community included playing piccolo in Cal Band and foraging with Berkeley Mycology Club.
“[Biology of Fungi by Professor Rachel Brem] was the highlight of my experience here. Every week, we were allowed to bring in different fungi that we had collected and culture them so we could learn more about them.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Familiarize yourself with the GPB major; check out theMajor Snapshot and Sample Degree Plans.
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans and intended major concentration.
- Begin lower division chemistry and calculus; enroll in NATRES 76 How to Be a Rausser CNR Scientist.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Rausser Student Resource Center and Virtual Bulletin Board.
- Join a Rausser student group like Mycology Club at Berkeley.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Find support from the Student Learning Center and Biology Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Live and learn in the Global Environment Theme House.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out the GPB Career Snapshot.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start using Handshake to connect with career events and opportunities.
- Look into UC LEADS, MARC, and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on lower division calculus, biology, and physics; enroll in a statistics and breadth course if needed.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options in Biology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Science, Technology, and Society.
- Decide on a major concentration.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend seminars and other events from Rausser, PMB, and the Innovative Genomics Institute.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities from Rausser and OURS; apply to SPUR or URAP to work on a faculty project.
- Browse programs from the Student Environmental Resource Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into QB3 for biotech and apply for the Rausser Summer Internship Grant.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE; meet with Health Careers Counseling if pre-health.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division coursework for your concentration along with major core courses (PLANTBI 150 + 160); continue with breadth courses if needed.
- Review your degree progress with your college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or a field program at Gump Station or UC Nature reserve.
- Consider applying to the Rausser College Honors Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Help other students as a Rausser Peer Advisor.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Get involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the National Association for Plant Breeding.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups like the PMB Alumni Network and Rausser Alumni.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all requirements including upper division core courses (PLANTBI 135 and 101L), courses for your major concentration and any remaining breadth courses.
- Apply for the Rausser College Honors Program if doing the honors program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Present at a Rausser Research Showcase or outside conference with the Conference Travel Grant.
- Get published! Submit your work to Perennial, Cell Mates, or the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; consider the Hertz Fellowship or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs like the Nonprofit, Environment and Public Service Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course in lower division chemistry, biology, and physics.
- Learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185 Science Writing.
- Gain field skills through the Forestry Field Camp or California Ecology and Conservation.
- Participate in Amgen Scholars, an NSF research experience, or DOE lab internship.
- Conduct research with support from SPUR or UC Nature.
- Learn about health science with the UCSF Summer Research Training Program, Summer Student Research Program, or Undergraduate Research Internship.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal.
- Familiarize yourself with the GPB major; check out the Major Snapshot and Sample Degree Plans.
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans and intended major concentration.
- Complete any needed lower division requirements; begin upper division coursework for your concentration along with breadth courses.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Rausser Student Resource Center and Virtual Bulletin Board.
- Join a Rausser student group like Mycology Club at Berkeley.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Find support from the Student Learning Center and Biology Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out the GPB Career Snapshot.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Look into UC LEADS, MARC, and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division coursework for your concentration, breadth (if needed), and major core courses (PLANTBI 150 + 160).
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options in Biology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Science, Technology, and Society.
- Consider applying to the Rausser College Honors Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend seminars and other events from Rausser, PMB, and the Innovative Genomics Institute.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities from Rausser and OURS; apply to SPUR or URAP to work on a faculty project.
- Browse programs from the Student Environmental Resource Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into QB3 for biotech and apply for the Rausser Summer Internship Grant.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE; meet with Health Careers Counseling if pre-health.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division coursework for your concentration, breadth, and major core courses (PLANTBI 135).
- Review your degree progress with your college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or a field program at Gump Station or UC Nature reserve.
- Apply for the Rausser College Honors Program if doing the honors program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Help other students as a Rausser Peer Advisor or Transfer Student Center Leader.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Get involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the National Association for Plant Breeding.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; consider the Hertz Fellowship or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all requirements including remaining upper division core courses (PLANTBI 101L), courses for your major concentration and any needed breadth courses.
- Enroll in your second semester of H196 units if doing the honors program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Present at a Rausser Research Showcase or outside conference with the Conference Travel Grant.
- Get published! Submit your work to Perennial, Cell Mates, or the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Connect with alumni groups like the PMB Alumni Network and Rausser Alumni.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs like the Nonprofit, Environment and Public Service Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course in physics or statistics if not completed through community college.
- Learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185 Science Writing.
- Gain field skills through the Forestry Field Camp or California Ecology and Conservation.
- Participate in Amgen Scholars, an NSF research experience, or DOE lab internship.
- Conduct research with support from SPUR or UC Nature.
- Learn about health science with the UCSF Summer Research Training Program, Summer Student Research Program, or Undergraduate Research Internship.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Genetics and Plant Biology or the Rausser College of Natural Resources?
Rausser College provides undergraduate advising to prospective and current undergraduate students. College Advisors are available on a drop-in and appointment basis to assist students with course enrollment and academic planning, explain college and university policies and procedures, and connect students to faculty and other campus student resources. Peer Advising Leaders are trained in understanding college and University requirements, policies, and procedures, and offer personal viewpoints and experiences to current and prospective students.
Advising services are available in 260 Mulford Hall in the Office of Instruction and Student Affairs. For advising hours and contacts, visit nature.berkeley.edu/advising/undergraduate-advising or email advising.rcnr@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
Looking for programs similar to Genetics and Plant Biology? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs:
