Learn the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular and Cell Biology in the College of Letters & Science exposes students to the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology. The MCB major focuses on the study of molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms. This covers a broad range of specialized disciplines, such as biochemistry, microbiology, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, cell physiology, cell anatomy, immunology, and therapeutics. Students in MCB can choose among several areas of specialization and focus on a more defined topic within the major.
Highlights
- Get involved with MCBcDNA or MCBUSA, student groups for MCB majors.
- Engage in undergraduate research at UC Berkeley and beyond.
- Conduct research and write a thesis as part of the MCB Honors Program.
Curriculum
All MCB students complete the same lower division coursework to gain critical training in biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. All or most lower division coursework is completed before major declaration. Upon declaring the major, MCB students choose an emphasis and a track within that emphasis. These choices constitute a specialization, which determines the core prescribed courses and elective options they will have as part of their upper division major curriculum. Emphases include:
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology
- Cell Biology, Development and Physiology
- Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development
- Immunology and Molecular Medicine
- Molecular Therapeutics
Learn more at mcb.berkeley.edu/undergrad
Research Opportunities
Under the guidance of an MCB faculty sponsor, MCB undergraduates may work in a laboratory to gain valuable experience in scientific research. Undergraduate research can take place in a variety of settings, including sponsoring laboratories within MCB, other departments at UC Berkeley, structured research programs such as URAP and SURP, and off-campus sites such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Children's Hospital OaklandResearch Institute, and UCSF.
Declaring the Major
First-year students who are accepted to UC Berkeley are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To declare the Molecular and Cell Biology major, you must have completed or be enrolled in BIOLOGY 1A (or a score of 4 or 5 on AP Biology exam) and CHEMISTRY 3B after the class add/drop deadline; have a 2.000 major GPA (all lower and upper division courses taken for MCB); and a 2.000 MCB upper division GPA.
Transfer students who are accepted to UC Berkeley and have selected MCB on their undergraduate admissions application will be admitted directly into the major (no declaration required).
The MCB major provides excellent preparation for many careers and post-baccalaureate training programs, including graduate programs and health-related professional programs (e.g., medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy), science writing, law school, biotechnology, industry, teaching, and academic research. Students planning to pursue graduate school are encouraged to take MCB graduate-level courses and gain laboratory research experience during their undergraduate studies.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Molecular and Cell Biology. The College of Letters & Science offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career counseling, health professional school 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:
- Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Community Health Fellow
- Consultant
- Data Analyst
- Histology Technologist
- Lab Technician
- Life Science Strategy Analyst
- Medical Scribe
- Project Associate
- Recruiting Coordinator
- Research Associate
- Research Technician
- Sales Representative
- Teacher
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:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computational Biology
- Data Science
- Dentistry
- Immunology
- Medicine
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
Jessica, class of 2025
Jessica Patrick (BA, Molecular and Cell Biology and Cognitive Science) was a transfer student and a Harris Fellow at UC Berkeley. In MCB she completed an honors thesis and received the department award for academic excellence in immunology for her work with the Martik Lab on illuminating regulation of a key neural crest gene that enabled vertebrates to develop our unique craniofacial structures. After graduation, Jessica worked in the lab of Professor Jeffrey Cox and is currently a post-baccalaureate researcher at the National Institutes of Health, where she is studying malaria parasite physiology while preparing to apply to medical school.
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshman Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising, MCB Advising, and MCB Peer Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the MCB major; check out sample program plans and major emphases.
- Begin lower division requirements; consider enrolling in MCELLBI 96 Studying the Biological Sciences.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Join a student group like MCBcDNA or MCBUSA.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Get academic help from MCB Tutoring and the Student Learning Center.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Find support and community with the Biology Scholars Program, EOP STEM, and Cal NERDS.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources and alumni profiles on the MCB website.
- 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
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans; continue with lower division coursework.
- Look into study abroad; see guidelines and options in Biology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Science, Technology, and Society
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Verify you have completed the major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events like the MCB Seminar Series.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and MCB websites; apply to URAP, Bakar Ignite Scholars, or work-study to work on a faculty research project.
- Look into the UHS Health Worker Program, Cal Sports Medicine, and other health opportunities.
- Mentor local youth through Bridging Berkeley, Expanding Your Horizons, or SENDforC.
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 the HMAP Health Service or Field Study Internship.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; meet with Health Careers Counseling if pre-health
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish lower division requirements and begin taking upper division requirements according to your emphasis.
- Review your degree progress with the Academic Progress Report on Calcentral, and meet with your major and college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC, study abroad, or field courses at Gump Station in French Polynesia.
- Consider applying to the MCB Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as an MCB Peer Advisor.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Get involved with Science at Cal, the Lawrence Hall of Science, or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association and attend a scientific conference.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups, MCB alumni, and events.
- Prepare for any post-grad program entrance exams and requirements.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Improve your writing skills with an Art of Writing seminar.
- Enroll in MCELLBI H196A + B if doing the honors program or MCB 191 for a senior thesis; 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.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to Cell Mates, the Berkeley Medical Journal, or Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Volunteer at the MCB table at Cal Day.
- 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; look into the Hertz Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- 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 like MCELLBI 102 or 104; or learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185.
- Apply to mcbUSA SURP for summer research projects.
- Engage in mentored research through Amgen Scholars, National Science Foundation, or Department of Energy.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad.
- Learn about health science with the UCSF Summer Research Training Program, Summer Student Research Program, or Undergraduate Research Internship.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Global Public Health and Data Science.
- 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 and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- See info for transfer students; meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Complete lower division requirements (if needed); begin upper division requirements for your major emphasis.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Declare the major if you were not admitted directly to MCB.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Join a student group like MCBcDNA or MCBUSA.
- Connect with the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Find support and community with the Biology Scholars Program, EOP STEM, and Cal NERDS; get academic help from MCB Tutoring and the Student Learning Center.
- Look into the UHS Health Worker Program, Cal Sports Medicine, and other health opportunities.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement; meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources and alumni profiles on the MCB website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Look into UC LEADS, MARC, and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division coursework for your major emphasis.
- Look into study abroad; see guidelines and options in Biology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Science, Technology, and Society
- Consider applying to the MCB Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events like the MCB Seminar Series.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and MCB websites; apply to URAP or Bakar Ignite Scholars to work on a faculty research project.
- Get involved with Science at Cal, the Lawrence Hall of Science, or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
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 the HMAP Field Study or Health Service Internship.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; meet with Health Careers Counseling if pre-health.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options; prepare for any post-graduate program entrance exams and requirements.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements.
- Review your degree progress with the Academic Progress Report on Calcentral, and meet with your major and college advisor.
- Improve your writing skills with an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC, study abroad, or field courses at Gump Station in French Polynesia.
- Enroll in MCELLBI H196A if doing the honors program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as an MCB Peer Advisor or Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Mentor local youth through Bridging Berkeley, Expanding Your Horizons, or SENDforC.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association and attend a scientific conference.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into the Hertz Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Enroll in MCELLBI H196B if doing the honors program or MCB 191 for a senior thesis; 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.
- Get published! Submit your work to Cell Mates, the Berkeley Medical Journal, or Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Volunteer at the MCB table at Golden Bear Welcome.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Connect with alumni groups, MCB alumni, and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like MCELLBI 102 or 104; or learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185.
- Apply to mcbUSA SURP for summer research projects.
- Engage in mentored research through Amgen Scholars, National Science Foundation, or Department of Energy.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad.
- Learn about health science with the UCSF Summer Research Training Program, Summer Student Research Program, or Undergraduate Research Internship.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Global Public Health and Data Science.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Molecular and Cell Biology or the College of Letters & Science?
The Undergraduate Student Services Office in L&S Biological Sciences offers undergraduate advising for students in the Integrative Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Neuroscience majors. Staff Advisors are the main resource for intended and declared students, and offer drop-in and appointment advising. Peer Advisors are available to discuss the content of specific classes, help you develop plans, and answer general questions about being a student at UC Berkeley. Faculty Advisors work with you during the major declaration process, and can answer questions about coursework requirements, graduate school, and careers. For advising contacts, visit mcb.berkeley.edu/undergrad or email mcbuao@berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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