The molecular, cell, and developmental (MCD) biology major is designed for students interested in medical or other professional programs in the health sciences, graduate school, and careers in biotechnology industries. This major is more structured than the general biology major and requires that students pay careful attention to the prerequisites required for upper-division biology courses.

• B.S., M.A., Ph.D.
• Extensive interaction with faculty in MCD Biology and other biology-related programs at UC Santa Cruz, including computational biology and bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry, and environmental toxicology

MCDBio.pdf

High School Preparation
In addition to the courses required for UC admission, high school students who intend to major in biology should take high school courses in biology, chemistry, advanced mathematics (precalculus), and physics.

Transfer Preparation
The faculty encourage applications from transfer students in the biological sciences. Students and their college advisers are strongly recommended to examine the degree requirements for the student’s intended major. Students should satisfy as many introductory requirements as possible prior to transfer. Courses offered at the student’s institution should be compared to the UC Santa Cruz transfer agreements (found at www.assist.org) and/or course descriptions to ensure that they will qualify for transfer. It is very important for transfer students to complete science prerequisite courses before transfer, especially calculus, general chemistry, and an introductory biology sequence. Students should also take organic chemistry, if possible. Prospective transfer students should contact the biology undergraduate advising office for further information (see the For More Information section). In addition, please see the Course Substitution/Transfer Credit section.

Introductory requirements for the molecular, cell, and developmental biology major are:

•     Biology 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology 20B, Development and Physiology; Biology 20C, Ecology and Evolution

• Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N, General Chemistry with Laboratory (three quarters)

•  Chemistry 108A/L and 108B/M (two quarters); or 112A/L, 112B/M, and 112C/N, Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (three quarters)

•     Mathematics 11A-B and 22, Calculus with Applications (three quarters) or Mathematics 19A-B and 22, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (three quarters)

•     Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N, Introduction to Physics with Laboratory (three quarters)

Recognition
Professor Harry Noller, Robert L. Sinsheimer Professor of Molecular Biology, is internationally known for his groundbreaking research on ribosomes, the protein factories of cells. Winner of the Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Research and the Newcomb Cleveland Prize, he is director of UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Molecular Biology of RNA and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He was also recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the RNA Society.

Careers

Biochemistry
Biotechnology research
Cell biology
Environmental toxicology
Industrial ecology
Medical research
Medicine
Microbiology
Molecular biology
Pharmaceutical research
Physiology
Veterinary medicine

These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.

Course Substitution/Transfer Credit
At least half of the upper-division courses (Biology 100–190) required for each biological sciences major must be taken through the biological sciences program at UC Santa Cruz, not as transfer credits from another department or institution. Transfer students are advised to contact the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Advising Office before enrolling in numerous upper-division courses at other institutions.

Education Abroad Opportunities
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers qualified students unique opportunities to broaden their educational horizons. Biological Sciences encourages interested students to participate. Many programs are in English-speaking countries or use English for advanced courses. Many programs offer small classes and extensive laboratory and/or field research experience.

There are excellent programs for biological science students in Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Germany, among others. Molecular, cell, and developmental biology majors and premedical students might want to consider the Human Biology Program at the Panum Institute in Denmark. This program is taught in English for advanced students planning careers in medicine or biomedical research.

Students interested in study abroad need to get an early start on their basic science requirements, including general and organic chemistry, math, and introductory biology. Visit the EAP office as soon as possible to begin planning, and seek advice about your academic plan from the biological sciences undergraduate adviser and/or faculty adviser.