Is it better to take CS31 or PIC10A for the major?
It depends on the track you want to take, if you're interested in biological data science then you have to take CS 31 for CS 32. For all other tracks PIC10A is ok, although for the bioinformatics track you have to take PIC10B and PIC10C if you decide to take PIC10A. PIC10C is very hard to get and may delay your ability to take some upper-division courses if you don't get it early enough. CS 31 ensures you’ll be ok if you decide to pursue a different track/take upper divs that require CS 31/32 later and may better prepare you for industry.
I know Math 32A is not officially required for the major, but do you need to take the Math 32 series to fulfill the prereqs for other classes in the major?
There are some upper div classes that do require the 32 series, but if you don’t take it, you’ll still be able to take most of the required upper division classes so it’s not a big deal if you skip it.
Doany of the major requirements satisfy the life science/physical science lab demo requirement?
Yes, lifesci 7b covers this requirement
I am a senior and am a little confused about how the capstone series work— how do we enroll in them and what are the differences between each of the options? I know that we are supposed to find our own PIs and I have been enrolled in SRP 99/199 with the same PI so I was wondering if the process of enrollment is the same?
For the 199/195, they're just the contracts you're familiar with. The 187 is a class only offered during spring.
It’s the same for 198A/B, but those can be completed any quarter and there’s no class you go to, it’s just a contract with your PI. The project is supposed to be more rigorous but as long as you’re on the same page as your PI you’ll be fine.