Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology

Upper Division Requirements, Sample 4-yr Plans, Elective List

BBS (formerly Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BMB) is dedicated to the mechanistic understanding, at the molecular level, of essential processes for the life of the cell. To this end, the BBS emphasis uses rigorous and reductionist approaches to describe living systems in chemical and physical terms. Unique to BBS is the combination of powerful molecular biological methodologies (e.g. cloning, gene splicing and gene expression), with biochemical and biophysical assays, as well as structural biology strategies (e.g. X-ray crystallography, 2-D NMR, cryo-electron microscopy) for dissecting structure and function of macromolecules. Berkeley hosts unique, state-of-the-art facilities to carry out research using these methodologies.

The ability to understand complex biological processes by characterizing the activity of the molecular machinery governing processes such as DNA replication, transcription, transposition, recombination, protein synthesis, protein degradation and RNA processing, have greatly advanced our understanding of the living cell. Furthermore, these approaches and new knowledge are playing a major role in unraveling many complex biological processes at the organismal level, such as development, differentiation, mutagenesis, gene regulation, pathogenesis, oncogenesis, and aging.

Through the major, you will learn not only how the molecules of life work in the healthy cells and organisms, but also how disruption of their function leads to disease. Furthermore, the identification and characterization of the molecular culprits for human illness is an essential step towards treatment by pharmacological agents that target these molecules to alter their activity. An exciting and invigorating aspect of these types of studies is that they can be done by individual students, armed with keen interest and curiosity.

Upper Division Requirements

Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology
Track 1: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Track 2: Biological Chemistry
MCB C100A: Biophysical Chemistry (Fa,Sp 4 un) MCB C100A: Biophysical Chemistry (Fa,Sp 4 un)
MCB 100B: Biochemistry: Pathways, Mechanisms, & Regulations (Sp; 4 un) Chem 130B: Biophysical Chemistry (Sp; 3 un)
MCB 110: Molecular Biology: Macromolecular Synthesis & Cellular Function (Fa, Sp; 4 un) Chem 135: Chemical Biology (Fa; 3 un)
MCB 140: General Genetics (Fa, Sp; 4 un)
OR MCB C148: Microbial Genomics & Genetics (Sp; 4 un)
MCB 140: General Genetics (Fa, Sp; 4 un)
OR MCB C130: Cell Bio: From Discovery to Disease (Sp; 4 un)
MCB C110L: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Lab (Fa, Sp; 4 un)
OR MCB 170L: Molecular & Cell Biology Laboratory (Su only; 4 un)
MCB C110L: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Lab (Fa, Sp; 4 un)
OR MCB 170L: Molecular & Cell Biology Laboratory (Su only; 4 un)
BBS Elective (see list below) BBS Elective (see list below)

Alternative Lower Division Chem Sequence for track 2: 

  • Students planning to major in the MCB: Biological Chemistry track should plan to take the following chem sequence: 

    • Chem 1A/1AL,  Chem 1B, Chem 12A, and Chem 12B 

  • Chem 12A/B is allowed to be replaced replaced by Chem 3A/3AL, 3B/3BL but be aware of the following as general advice: 

  • The Chem 3 series provides less rigorous preparation for the upper-division chemistry courses required for the Biological Chemistry track. Once students decide to pursue the Biological Chemistry track, it is recommended that they adhere to the alternative sequence requirements if possible (e.g., complete Chem 12B, not Chem 3B). However, the Chem 3 series will still be accepted for track 2. Please note that Chem 1B is still required. 

Sample 4-yr Plans

These are just examples, for more sample schedules including spring start and transfer see guide.berkeley.edu or meet with an advisor to explore your options. It is recommended by MCB advisors and faculty to take the upper division lab as early as you can if you are interested in research and/or honors research. 

Track 1: Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology
   Track 2: Biological Chemistry
Year 1   Year 1
Fall Un Spring Un   Fall Un Spring Un
Math 10A 4 Math 10B 4   Math 10A 4 Math 10B 4
Chem 1A/1AL 5 Biology 1A/1AL 5   Chem 1A/1AL 5 Chem 1B 4
Year 2   Year 2
Fall Un Spring Un   Fall Un Spring Un
Chem 3A/3AL 5 Chem 3B/3BL 5   Chem 12A 5 Chem 12B 5
Physics 8A 4 Physics 8B 4   Biology 1A/1AL 5 Physics 8A 4
Year 3   Year 3
Fall Un Spring Un   Fall Un Spring Un
MCB C100A 4 MCB 100B 4   MCB C100A 4 Chem 130B 3
Biology 1B 4 MCB 140 or c148 4   Physics 8B 4 Biology 1B 4
Year 4   Year 4
Fall Un Spring Un   Fall Un Spring Un
MCB C110L 4 BMB Elective 3-4   Chem 135 3 MCB 130 or 140 4
MCB 110 4       MCB C110L 4 BMB Elective 3-4

 

Approved Electives List for BBS

Molecular and Cell Biology

  • 100B Biochemistry: Pathways, Mechanisms, & Regulations (Sp; 4 units) Track 2 Only
  • C103 Bacterial Pathogenesis (Sp, 3 units) 
  • C112 General Microbiology (F, Su; 4 units)
  • C114 Introduction to Comparative Virology (Sp, 4 units)
  • C116 Microbial Diversity (F, 3 units)
  • C117 Advanced Plant Biochemistry (Sp, 4 units)
  • C130 Cell Biology: from Discovery to Disease (Sp, 4 units) (If track 2: only can use if take 140 for core BMB)
  • 132 Biology of Human Cancer (F, 4 units)
  • C134 Chromosome Biology / Cytogenetics (Sp, 3 units)
  • 135A Molecular Endocrinology (F; 3 units)
  • 136 Physiology (F, Sp; 4 units)
  • 137L Physical Biology of the Cell (Sp, 3 units)
  • 141 Developmental Biology (Sp, 3 units)
  • C148 Microbial Genomics & Genetics (Sp, 4 units) (If track 1: only can use if take 140 for core BMB)
  • 149 The Human Genome (F, 3 units)
  • 150 Molecular Immunology (F, Sp, 4 units)
  • 153 Molecular Medicine (F, 4 units)
  • 160 Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology; offered as NEU 100A from Fall '24 onward      (F, 4 units)
  • 161 Circuit, Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience; offered as NEU 100B from Spring '25 onward (Sp, 4 units) *MCB 160 is a prerequisite*
  • 165 Neurobiology of Disease; offered as NEU 165 from Spring '25 onward (Sp, 3 units) *MCB 160 is a prerequisite*
  • C175 LSBE Capstone (F, 4 units) (restricted to LSBE students only)

Chemistry

  • 113 Advanced Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (F; 3 units)
  • 115 Organic Chemistry - Advanced Lab Methods (Sp; 4 units)
  • 130B Biophysical Chemistry (Sp; 3 units) (Track 1 only)

Environmental Science, Policy & Management

  • C148 Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology (Sp; 3 units)

Mathematics

  • 110 Linear Algebra (F, Sp, Su; 4 units)

Neuroscience

  • 100A Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (F; 4 units)
  • 100B Circuit, Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience (Sp; 4 units) *NEU 100A is a prerequisite*
  • 165 Neurobiology of Disease (Sp, 3 units) *NEU 100A is a prerequisite*

Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology

  • C114 Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology (TBD; 3 units)

Physics

  • 112 Introduction to Statistical & Thermal Physics (F, Sp; 4 units)
  • 177 Principles of Molecular Biophysics (Sp; 3 units)

Plant & Microbial Biology

  • C112 General Microbiology (F; 4 units)
  • C114 Comparative Virology (Sp; 4 units)
  • C116 Microbial Diversity (F; 3 units)
  • C134 Chromosome Biology / Cytogenetics (Sp; 3 units)
  • 135 Physiology & Biochemistry of Plants (F; 3 units)
  • 150 Plant and Microbial Biology (F; 3 units)
  • 160 Plant Molecular Genetics (Sp; 3 units)

Public Health

  • 142 Introduction to Probability & Statistics in Biology & Public Health (F, Sp, Su; 4 units) 

Statistics

  • C131A Statistical Methods for Data Science (F, Sp; 4 units) 

Approved Electives but NOT Regularly Offered

  • BioEng C141 Stats for Bioinformatics
  • Math 127 Mathematical & Computational Methods in Molecular Biology
  • MCB 143 Evolution of Genomes, Cells & Development (F, 3 units)
  • 166 Biophysical Neurobiology (F, 3 units)
  • 168 Sensory Neuroscience (F, 4 units)
  • Physics 132 Contemporary Physics
  • Pb Hlth 141 Intro to Bio-Statistics (Su; 5 units)
  • Stat C141 Stats for Bioinformatics