Looking into BMD minor need advice

Hi! I’m interested in biotech research and needed help as I feel like I’m at a crossroads. To start, im a sophomore majoring in MIMG, and joined a research lab here fall 2025 but I’m feeling overwhelmed by how many research options there are and I’m not sure what to prioritize.

I’m deciding between two paths. One option is applying for the BMD RES minor, which would be several required courses, seminars, research units and a thesis. It would likely mean taking four classes a quarter for multiple quarters, which feels like a lot which is my biggest problem… The other option is not doing the minor/getting rejected and staying in my current lab, and enrolling in SRP 199 for some quarters, applying to URFP or URSP, and taking a few research-focused classes instead (like BMD RES 10H, MCDB 30H, etc.).

For biotech research, is the minor worth it compared to URFP/URSP? Another question is, is SRP 199 worth enrolling in if I’m already in a lab and either doing the minor or a fellowship/scholarship program? Also, are there other good UCLA research classes besides BMD RES 10H or MCDB 30H that people recommend? I’m interested in in vitro models, synthetic biology industrial microbiology and more.

I’m rlly trying to learn more about research without burning out which seems impossible, so I’d really appreciate advice from anyone, thanks.