The major in Molecular & Cell Biology exposes students in the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology, and also encourages students to focus their studies in one of six undergraduate major emphases. The deadline to declare MCB is the semester before the Expected Graduation Term listed in CalCentral.

 

Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology Cell Biology, Development & Physiology Genetics, Genomics, Evolution & Development Immunology & Molecular Medicine Molecular Therapeutics Neurobiology

 

Lower Division Requirements

The lower division requirements are the same for all major emphases except Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology-Track 2: Biological Chemistry (see BBS page for more info). See here for sample 4-year plans.

Course Number
Course Title
Semester
Units
Math 10A 1
or Math 1A
Methods of Mathematics: Calculus, Statistics, and Combinatorics
Calculus
F, Su
F, Sp, Su
4
4
Math 10B 1
or Math 1B
Methods of Mathematics: Calculus, Statistics, and Combinatorics
Calculus
Sp, Su
F, Sp, Su
4
4
Chemistry 1A/1AL 2
General Chemistry and Lab
F, Sp, Su
3+2
Chemistry 3A/3AL
Organic Chemistry and Lab
F, Sp, Su
3+2
Chemistry 3B/3BL
Organic Chemistry and Lab
F, Sp, Su
3+2
Biology 1A/1AL
General Biology and Lab
F, Sp, Su
3+2
Biology 1B
General Biology (includes lab)
F, Sp, Su
4
Physics 8A 3
Calculus-based Physics (includes lab)
F, Sp, Su
4
Physics 8B 3
Calculus-based Physics (includes lab)
F, Sp, Su
4
AP Calculus cannot be used to substitute for the math requirement. See MCB Math Options for more approved sequences.
Chem 4A can be taken in place of Chem 1A/1AL
Physics 7A can be taken in place of 8A and Physics 7B in place of 8B.

 

Upper Division Requirements Summary

Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology Cell Biology, Development & Physiology Genetics, Genomics, Evolution & Development Immunology & Molecular Medicine Molecular Therapeutics Neurobiology
Track 1: BBS Track 2: Biological Chemistry Track 1: Cell & Systems Biology Track 2: Medical Biology & Physiology Track 1: GGED Track 2: Developmental Genetics Track 1: Immunology & Pathogenesis Track 2: Infectious Disease Track 3: Immunology & Molecular Medicine Track 1: Molecular Therapeutics Track 2: Therapeutics and Disease  
MCB C100A
MCB C100A
MCB 102
MCB 102
MCB C100A
MCB 102
MCB C100A
MCB 102
MCB 102 MCB C100A MCB 102
MCB 102
MCB 100B
Chem 130B
MCB 104
MCB 104
MCB 140
MCB 104
or 140
MCB 104 or 140
MCB 104 or 140
MCB 104 or 140 MCB 140 MCB 104
MCB 104
MCB 110
Chem 135
MCB C130
MCB 136
MCB 110
MCB 141
MCB 110
MCB 150
MCB 150 MCB 120 MCB 120
MCB 160
MCB 140
or C148
MCB 140
or C130
MCB 133L
or MCB *170L
MCB 133L 
or MCB *170L
MCB 140L
MCB 140L
MCB 150
MCB 150L
MCB 153 MCB 120L MCB 120L
MCB 161
MCB C110L 
or MCB *170L
MCB C110L
or MCB *170L
CDP Elective A
CDP Elective B
GGED Elective
A or B
GGED Elective
A or B
MCB 150L
IMM Elective A
MCB 153L MTX Elective A MTX Elective A
MCB 160L
or 163L
BBS Elective
BBS Elective
CDP Elective A
 
CDP Elective B
GGED Elective B
GGED Elective B
IMM Elective C
IMM Elective B
IMM Elective D MTX Elective B MTX Elective B
NEU Elective

*MCB 170L is only offered during summer session.