Cell Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Biological Sciences

The Cell Biology Major Program

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.

Graduate Study

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

Advising

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

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 the 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
Choose the 008 series or 118 series or 128 series & 129A-B: 26-13
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
OR
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
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Mathematics
Choose the 017 or 021 series: 38-12
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: 412-15
General Physics
and General Physics
and General Physics
OR
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal59-73
Depth Subject Matter
Biological Science
BIS 101Genes & Gene Expression4
BIS 102Structure & Function of Biomolecules3
BIS 103Bioenergetics & Metabolism3
BIS 104Cell Biology3
Statistics
Choose STA 100 or 130A & 130B:4-8
Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
and Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
Molecular & Cellular Biology
MCB 121Advanced Molecular Biology3
MCB 140LCell Biology Laboratory5
Choose two:6
Cell & Molecular Biophysics
Mechanisms of Cell Division
Assembly & Function of Cell Signaling Machinery
MCB 150Developmental Biology3-4
or MCB 163 Developmental Genetics
Choose at least 10 units:10
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Introduction to Evolution
Introductory Microbiology (Discontinued)
Introductory Microbiology
Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
Yeast Molecular Genetics
Host-Parasite Interactions
Cancer Biology
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Associated Lecture
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory
Behavior & Analysis of Enzyme & Receptor Systems
Macromolecular Structure & Function
Plant Biochemistry
Undergraduate Seminar in Biochemistry
Undergraduate Seminar in Biochemistry
Cell & Molecular Biophysics
Mechanisms of Cell Division
Assembly & Function of Cell Signaling Machinery
Undergraduate Seminar in Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Principles of Genetics Laboratory
Human Genetics & Genomics
Developmental Genetics
Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics
Undergraduate Seminar in Molecular Genetics
Principles of Genomics
Introduction to Research
Neurobiology
Systemic Physiology
Fundamentals of Immunology
Immunology Laboratory
Biology of Animal Viruses
Plant Physiology
Problems in Plant Physiology
Molecular & Cellular Biology of Plants
Problems in Molecular & Cellular Biology of Plants
MMI 188AHuman Immunology3-4
or MMI 188B Human Immunology
No more than 4 units of research (193, 194H, 199) may be used for credit in this category.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal47-53
Total Units106-126
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.