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The Cell Biology major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the cell, the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

The Program

To understand living organisms, the biologist must understand the cell. Hence, cell biology lies at the core of the biological sciences. Students taking this major gain a solid foundation in biological principles. The major emphasizes how cellular organization and function contribute to the development, maintenance, and reproduction of adult organisms. The major illustrates the ways in which principles derived from the physical sciences, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology are integrated in the study of living cells and emphasizes the experimental nature of the study of cell biology.

Career Alternatives

The major provides an excellent background for students wishing to enter postgraduate and professional programs in biological, health sciences or veterinary sciences; for students pursuing careers involving teaching or research in the biological sciences; for students interested in careers in the biotechnological or pharmaceutical industries; or for students interested in careers related to the administrative, legal, or commercial aspects of biomedical science.

Faculty Advisor

F.J. McNally, Ph.D.

Advising

Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) 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 Cell Biology Bachelor of Science is 106.

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 Organic Chemistry requirement: CHE 118A-CHE 008B; CHE 128A-CHE 128B-CHE 008B; 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.

³

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

⁴

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.