Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Biological Sciences

The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major introduces students to the chemistry of living organisms and the experimental techniques that are used to probe the structures and functions of biologically important molecules. Students who enjoy both chemistry and biology and who are comfortable with quantitative approaches to problem solving will find this major a rewarding field of study.

The Program

The upper division curriculum in the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program begins with the three-course, upper-division common curriculum that introduces the principles of biochemistry and genetics. Majors then take a comprehensive and rigorous laboratory course to familiarize them with the most important aspects of biochemical research. Additional upper-division courses in biochemistry and molecular biology examine detailed aspects of these subjects. Students are also required to take courses in other biological sciences and a full year of physical chemistry.

Career Alternatives

The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program provides a solid scientific background for students seeking a research, teaching, or service career in the life sciences. Positions are open to biochemists in bio-medical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, agricultural research, and some chemical industries. Also, university-affiliated research laboratories, hospital laboratories, and government-sponsored research facilities provide employment opportunities. The major provides excellent preparation for advanced study in graduate or professional schools.

Faculty Advisor

David Wilson, Ph.D.

Advising

Biology Academic Success Center (BASC), CBS Dean's Office Advising in 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall (formerly Sciences Laboratory Building); 530-752-0410; cbsundergrads@ucdavis.edu

Graduate Study

See Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology (Graduate Group).

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Bachelor of Science is 106.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Biological Science18
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution
and Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life
and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Cell Biology & Physiology
Chemistry
Choose 002 or 004 series: 115
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
or
General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
Mathematics
Choose the 017 or 021 series: 28-12
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
or
Calculus
and Calculus
and Calculus (Recommended)
Physics
Choose the 007 or 009 series: 312-15
General Physics
and General Physics
and General Physics
or
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal53-60
Depth Subject Matter
Biological Science
BIS 101Genes & Gene Expression4
BIS 102Structure & Function of Biomolecules3
BIS 103Bioenergetics & Metabolism3
Chemistry
Choose the 118 series or CHE 128 series & 129 A-B: 412-13
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
or
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Choose the 107 or 110 series:6-12
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
and Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
or
Physical Chemistry: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
and Physical Chemistry: Properties of Atoms & Molecules
and Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Equilibria & Kinetics
Molecular & Cellular Biology
MCB 120Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Associated Lecture3
MCB 120LMolecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory3
MCB 121Advanced Molecular Biology3
MCB 123Behavior & Analysis of Enzyme & Receptor Systems3
MCB 124Macromolecular Structure & Function3-4
or MCB 143 Cell & Molecular Biophysics
Statistics
Choose STA 100 or 130A & 130B:4-8
Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
and Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
Restricted Electives
Choose at least 6 additional units6
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal53-65
Total Units106-125
1

With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Chemistry requirement: CHE 004A-CHE 002A (3 units with no lab)-CHE 002B-CHE 002C; CHE 004A-CHE 004B-CHE 002C

2

With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Mathematics requirement: MAT 021A-MAT 017B-MAT 017C; MAT 017A-MAT 021B.

3

With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Physics requirement: PHY 007A-PHY 009A-PHY 049*-PHY 007C; PHY 009A-PHY 009B-PHY 049*-PHY 007C. *PHY 049 requires approval from the PHY Department to enroll.

4

With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Organic Chemistry requirement: CHE 128A-CHE 118B-CHE 118C; CHE 128A-CHE 128B-CHE 129A-CHE 118C; CHE 118A-CHE 128B-CHE 128C-CHE 129A-CHE 129B; CHE 118A-CHE 118B-CHE 128C-CHE 129B.

Restricted Electives

ANS 137Techniques & Practices of Avian Culture3
ANT 151Primate Evolution4
ANT 152Human Evolution5
ANT 158The Evolution of Sex: A Biological Perspective4
BIS, any upper division 100-199, except 101, 101D, 102, 103, 1051-5
BIM 162Introduction to the Biophysics of Molecules & Cells4
BIT, any upper division 100-199, except tutoring 197T1-5
CHE any upper division 100-199, except 107AB, 108, 110ABC, 197T3-4
EXB 106/CHA 101Human Gross Anatomy4
EXB 106L/CHA 101LHuman Gross Anatomy Laboratory3
ECH 140Mathematical Methods in Biochemical & Chemical Engineering 4
ECH 142Heat Transfer for Biochemical & Chemical Engineers4
ECH 143Mass Transfer for Biochemical & Chemical Engineers4
ECH 152AChemical Engineering Thermodynamics3
ECH 152BChemical Engineering Thermodynamics4
ENT 100General Entomology4
ENT 102Insect Physiology 4
ENT 153Medical Entomology3
ENT 158Forensic Entomology3
EXB 101Exercise Physiology4
EXB 117Exercise & Aging in Health & Disease3
EXB 124Physiology of Maximal Human Performance4
ETX 101Principles of Environmental Toxicology4
ETX/NUT 104Environmental & Nutritional Factors in Cellular Regulation & Nutritional Toxicants4
ETX 110Toxic Tragedies & Their Impact on Society2
ETX 120Perspectives in Aquatic Toxicology4
ETX/FST 128Food Toxicology3
ETX 130Role & Applications of Toxicology in Modern Industry3
EVE, any upper division 100-199, except tutoring 197T1-5
FST 100AFood Chemistry4
FST 100BFood Properties4
FST 102AMalting & Brewing Science4
FST 102BPractical Malting & Brewing4
FST 104Food Microbiology3
FST 123Introduction to Enzymology3
FST/ETX 128Food Toxicology3
GDB 101Epidemiology4
GDB 103Microbiome of People, Animals, & Plants 3
GEL 107Earth History: Paleobiology3
IDI 141Infectious Diseases of Humans1
MCB/PLB 126Plant Biochemistry3
MCB 140Cell Biology Laboratory Associated Lecture3
MCB 140LCell Biology Laboratory5
MCB 142Advanced Cell Biology: Contractile & Motile Systems4
MCB 143Cell & Molecular Biophysics3
MCB 144Mechanisms of Cell Division3
MCB 145Assembly & Function of Cell Signaling Machinery3
MCB 160Genetics Laboratory Associated Lecture3
MCB 160LPrinciples of Genetics Laboratory5
MCB 162Human Genetics & Genomics3
MCB 163Developmental Genetics3
MCB 164Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics3
MCB 182Principles of Genomics3
MIC, any upper division 100-199, except tutoring 197T1-5
MMI 188AHuman Immunology3-4
or MMI 188B Human Immunology
NPB, any upper division 100-199, except 102 & tutoring 197T1-5
NUT/ETX 104Environmental & Nutritional Factors in Cellular Regulation & Nutritional Toxicants4
NUT 105Nutrition through the Life Cycle3
NUT 111AYIntroduction to Nutrition & Metabolism3
NUT 112Nutritional Assessment4
PHY 140BIntroduction to Solid State Physics4
PLB, any upper division 100-199, except tutoring 197T1-5
PLS 147California Plant Communities3
PMI, any upper division 100-199, except tutoring 197T1-5
PSC 101Introduction to Biological Psychology4
STA 101Advanced Applied Statistics for the Biological Sciences4
STA 103Applied Statistics for Business & Economics4
STA 104Applied Statistical Methods: Nonparametric Statistics4
STA 106Applied Statistical Methods: Analysis of Variance4
STA 108Applied Statistical Methods: Regression Analysis4
VMB 101VPrinciples of Pharmacology & Toxicology3
VMB 101YPrinciples of Pharmacology & Toxicology (Up to 3 units of Research 192, 193, 199, 189, 190C, etc.)3
Up to 3 units of Research 192, 193, 199, 189, 190C, etc.3
A small selection of other courses may work upon consultation with BMB master or BASC advisor.1-3