Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

2017-18 General Catalog

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Department
225 Sinsheimer Laboratories
(831) 459-4986
http://www.mcd.ucsc.edu

MCDB Faculty | MCDB Course Descriptions

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Undergraduate Program Description

This is an extraordinary time to be involved in biomedical research. New technologies are rapidly changing our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of life, with dramatic implications for how we treat human disease. Members of the Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, along with affiliated faculty in the departments of Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, and Physics, are participating in an extraordinary revolution in biomedical science. A broad spectrum of cutting-edge research tools are being employed to tackle problems in key areas that include: the structural and functional role of RNA in regulation of gene expression; chromatin biology and epigenetic control of genes; the cell biology of the cytoskeleton and the cell cycle; decisions controlling embryogenesis and organ development; and developmental neurobiology. The insights generated by this basic research enable new strategies for treatments of aging disorders, birth defects, neurological diseases, cancer and other human ailments. The department offers a spectrum of courses that reflect the exciting new developments and directions in these fields, and trains students to participate in these exciting fields.

Students may plan a program that leads to one of several bachelor of science (B.S.) degrees. Students may choose from the following major options:

Biology B.S.
Human biology B.S.
Molecular, cell, and developmental biology B.S.
Neuroscience B.S.

Advanced undergraduates, with the guidance of faculty mentors, have access to extensive departmental laboratory facilities for independent research. Many students take advantage of the numerous opportunities with local physicians, health care providers and biotech companies to gain experience in a real world setting. This array of opportunities for directed independent study enables biological science majors to enhance their upper-division programs to reflect and strengthen their own interests and goals.

Prerequisites

Due to the demanding nature of the majors, students must begin their science coursework as early as possible. CHEM 1A, 1B and 1C, and BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, and BIOL 20L must be taken during the first and second years in order for students to qualify for admission to MCD biology-sponsored majors (see below). Students are strongly encouraged to take AMS 5 or AMS 7/L and begin, if not complete, other requirements including calculus. For an overview of prerequisites and getting started in the major, please visit our website.

An online mathematics placement examination is required to enroll in a math course. Biological science majors are expected to take this examination and are encouraged to work in the learning modules until they place into calculus. For more information see the mathematics placement website.

Students intending to major in human biology should take the Spanish placement examination, offered by the language program, to determine the level at which they should begin the Spanish sequence.

Letter Grade Policy

For all students entering UCSC in fall 2001 and later, all courses used to satisfy any of the major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

Major Qualification Policy

The Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology has a qualification policy that applies to the biology B.S., molecular, cell and developmental biology B.S., and neuroscience B.S. majors.

To qualify for any of these majors, students must pass (with a grade of C or better) the following courses or their equivalents:

• Chemistry and Biochemistry 1A, General Chemistry
• Chemistry and Biochemistry 1B, General Chemistry
• Chemistry and Biochemistry 1C, General Chemistry
• Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, Cell and Molecular  Biology
• Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B, Development and Physiology.
• Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20L, Introductory Biology Laboratory

All qualification courses must be completed by the campus major declaration deadline.

Students with two or more grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the policy courses are not qualified to declare.

When assessing qualification:

• All courses must be taken for a letter grade, see Letter Grade Policy.

• Students with AP credit for Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B, and/or Chemistry and Biochemistry 1A, need only pass the remaining qualification policy courses.

• Every student who satisfies the major qualification requirements and who petitions to declare the major by the campus major declaration deadline (i.e., before enrolling in their 3rd year or the equivalent) will be admitted to the major. Students enrolled in their final qualification policy course at the major declaration deadline may submit the petition, but will not be declared until satisfactory grades have been posted. Students who satisfy the major admission requirements, but who petition to declare the major after the campus major declaration deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission to the major; admission is not guaranteed.

The Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology has a separate qualification policy that applies to the human biology B.S. major. To qualify for the human biology major, students must pass the following courses or their equivalents (with a grade of C+ or better):

• Chemistry and Biochemistry 1A, General Chemistry
• Chemistry and Biochemistry 1B, General Chemistry
• Chemistry and Biochemistry 1C, General Chemistry
• Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20L, Introductory Biology Laboratory
• Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B, Development and Physiology

All qualification courses must be completed by the campus major declaration deadline.

Students with two or more grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the policy courses are not qualified to declare.

When assessing qualification:

• All courses must be taken for a letter grade, see Letter Grade Policy.

• Students with AP credit for Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B, and/or Chemistry and Biochemistry 1A need only pass the remaining qualification policy courses.

• Students with non-grades (I, IP, DG, etc.) in any of the policy courses will not be eligible to declare until a grade has been assigned.

• Every student who satisfies the major qualification requirements and who petitions to declare the major by the campus major declaration deadline (i.e. before enrolling in their 3rd year or the equivalent) will be admitted to the major. Students enrolled in their final qualification policy course at the major declaration deadline may submit the petition, but will not be declared until satisfactory grades have been posted. Students who satisfy the major admission requirements, but who petition to declare the major after the campus major declaration deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission to the major; admission is not guaranteed.

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Faculty Adviser within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and their college of the decision. For more information about the appeal process is here.

Transfer Students

MCD Biology encourages applications from transfer students in the biological sciences. In fall 2012 the department established a Major Qualification Policy that limits access to the program to those students who have successfully completed a subset of foundational coursework. Transfer students are held to similar criteria when being assessed for admission to UCSC as an MCD-sponsored major.

More information on qualifying for the major as a transfer applicant is here.

In addition to the required coursework for admission, students should complete courses equivalent to the calculus, general chemistry, and introductory biology requirements for the major they wish to pursue. Students who transfer without having completed the prerequisite coursework may have difficulty enrolling in courses and may require more than two years to complete their MCD-sponsored degree. More complete information on preparing to transfer as an MCD major is here.

Prospective transfer students should review the transfer information here.

Double Major in the Biological Sciences

Students interested in pursuing multiple majors within the biological sciences may NOT declare the following combination of majors:

• Biology (B.A., B.S., or minor) AND any other biological sciences major
• Any combination of the following: Human Biology; Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology; Neuroscience; or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Should a student choose to double major, they must qualify for and complete the disciplinary communication and comprehensive requirements for each of the majors.

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Biology B.S. Major Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B and 20C, and BIOL 20L
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C/N
Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 8A/L and 8B
Calculus: Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B
Statistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 5 or 7/L
Physics: Physics 6A/L, and 6B or 6C; or Physics 7A/B and 6L  (Note that Physics 7A-/B/L will not satisfy the Physics pre-requisite for admission to most medical schools)

Upper-Division Requirements

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology:  BIOL 100 and 101 (8 credits); or BIOC 100A, 100B, and 100C* (15 credits)

Molecular Biology Laboratory: BIOL 101L
Genetics: BIOL 105
Cell Biology: BIOL 110
Ecology: BIOE 107
Evolution: BIOE 109

Students must complete three additional upper-division electives (5-7 credits each)  chosen from below. (Note that some of the following courses fulfill the DC requirement):

BIOL 111A, Immunology I
BIOL 114, Cancer Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 120, Developmental Biology
BIOL 125, Introduction to Neuroscience
BIOL 130, Human Physiology
BIOC 100C, Biochemistry*  
BIOE 108, Marine Ecology
BIOE 112/L, Ornithology/Laboratory
BIOE 114/L, Herpetology/Laboratory
BIOE 117/L, Systematic Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 120/L, Marine Botany/Laboratory
BIOE 122/L, Invertebrate Zoology/Laboratory
BIOE 124/L, Mammalogy/Laboratory
BIOE 127/L, Ichthyology/Laboratory
BIOE 129/L, Marine Mammals 
BIOE 131, Animal Physiology
BIOE 133/L, Exercise Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 134/L, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy/Laboratory
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 137/L, Molecular Ecology/Laboratory
BIOE 140, Behavioral Ecology
BIOE 145, Plant Ecology
BIOE 147, Community Ecology
BIOE 148, Quantitative Ecology
BIOE 149, Disease Ecology
BIOE 172/L, Population Genetics/Laboratory
BIOE 155, Freshwater Ecology
BIOE 161, Kelp Forest Ecology
BIOE 163/L, Ecology of Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses/Laboratory
BIOE 165, Marine Conservation Biology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) 135/L, Human Anatomy/Laboratory
 *Students who complete the BIOC 100ABC sequence can use BIOC 100C to satisfy an upper-division elective.

Laboratory requirement:  Students must complete two upper-division courses that include regular laboratory or fieldwork:  BIOL 101L and one additional laboratory (L) course.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC requirement in the biology bachelor of sciences degree can be satisfied either by completing two BIOE lab courses or by completing one 5-credit BIOL lab.  For the BIOE option, choose two Ecology and Evolutionary Biology courses from this group: BIOE 108, 114/L, 117, 120/L, 122/L, 127/L, 128L, 129/L, 137, 141L, 145, 145L, 150L 151B, 153C, 158L, 159A, 161L, 171, 172/L. For 2-credit BIOE lab courses taken concurrently with 5-credit lectures, both courses must be passed to receive one half of the DC requirement. For the BIOL option, choose one course from this group: BIOL 105L, 109L, 115L, 120L, 121L.  

Comprehensive Requirement

All majors require a comprehensive requirement. For the Biology B.S., this requirement can be satisfied by receiving a passing grade in a laboratory or field course (any upper-division BIOE or BIOL course identified with an “L”).

Biology B.S. Sample Planners

Freshmen sample planner.
Transfer students sample planners.

Human Biology Major

The B.S. major in human biology is designed for students interested in careers in healthcare or biomedical research. Medical and professional school admissions requirements vary; students should verify that their coursework will satisfy the admissions requirements of the programs to which they plan to apply. Students are required to take introductory biology and laboratory (BIOL 20L), genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, human physiology with laboratory and one additional course directly relevant to human health. As a unique feature of this program, students must also fulfill Spanish-language and health-care internship requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the human biology major will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of how biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology are used to elucidate both the function of cells and their organization into tissues;

• Recognize that biology has a basis in chemistry, physics, and mathematics;

• Describe how scientific method is used to explain natural phenomena;

• Use effective oral and written language skills to communicate scientific data and ideas;

• Understand safe laboratory practices, perform basic molecular biology techniques, generate hypotheses and evaluate data;

• Achieve fluency in Spanish and an understanding of how cultural differences can affect health care delivery;

• Refine a career-related and/or postgraduate goal through internship experience; and

• Present advanced knowledge in the specialized field of human physiology.

Human Biology B.S. Major Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B and BIOL 20L
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B/M and 1C/N
Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 8A/L and 8B/M (Note: Chemistry 109 is also recommended for pre-med students)
Calculus: Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B
Statistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 5 or 7/L
Physics: Physics 6A/L, and 6B or 6C; or Physics 7A/B and 6L. (Note: Physics 7A-/B/L will not satisfy the Physics pre-requisite for admission to most medical schools) 

Upper-Division Requirements

Five core courses:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: BIOL 100 and 101 (8 credits); or BIOC 100A, 100B, and 100C (15 credits)
Genetics: BIOL 105
Cell Biology: BIOL 110
Human Physiology with Laboratory: BIOL 130/L

10 credits of upper-division electives chosen from the following:

BIOE 133/L Exercise Physiology
BIOL 111A, Immunology I
BIOL 111B, Immunology II
BIOL 112, Virology 
BIOL 114, Cancer Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 116, Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (3 credits)
BIOL 117, Neglected Tropical Diseases (3 credits)
BIOL 120, Developmental Biology
BIOL 125, Introduction to Neuroscience
BIOL 126, Advanced Molecular Neuroscience
BIOL 127, Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Disease
BIOL 128, Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 188, A Life in Medicine (3 credits)
Biomolecular Engineering 130, Genomes
Biomolecular Engineering 155, Biotechnology and Drug Development
Biomolecular Engineering 178, Stem Cell Biology
Community Studies 163, Health Care Inequalities
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, 135/L, Anatomy of the Human Body/Laboratory
Physics 180, Biophysics

Language Requirement: Spanish 1–4 or the equivalent and one quarter of Spanish for health-care workers (Spanish 5M).

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in human biology is satisfied by completing courses BIOL 130L, Human Physiology Laboratory, and BIOL 189, Health Sciences Internship and BIOL 189W, Disciplinary Communication: Human Biology.

Comprehensive Requirement

All majors require a comprehensive requirement.  For the Human Biology B.S., this requirement can be satisfied by receiving a passing grade in the Health Sciences Internship, BIOL 189.

Human Biology B.S. Sample Planners

Frosh sample planners.
Transfer students sample planners.

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Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Major

The molecular, cell, and developmental (MCD) biology major is designed to prepare students for rigorous graduate programs in biomedical research, medical and other healthcare professional programs, for careers in the biotechnology industry. 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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the MCD major will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of how biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology are used to elucidate both the function of cells and their organization into tissues;

• Recognize that biology has a basis in chemistry, physics, and mathematics;

• Describe how scientific method is used to explain natural phenomena;

• Use effective oral and written language skills to communicate scientific data and ideas;

• Understand safe laboratory practices and perform basic molecular biology techniques;

• Generate hypotheses, evaluate data, and design experiments to investigate a scientific problem; and

• Present advanced knowledge in the specialized fields of molecular and cell biology.

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology B.S. Major Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, BIOL 20L, and BIOE 20C
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C/N
Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 8A/L and 8B
Calculus: Mathematics 11A-B or 19A-B
Statistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 5 or 7/L
Physics: 6A/L, and 6B or 6C; or Physics 7A/B and 6L (Note: Physics 7A/B and 6L will not satisfy the physics prerequisite for admission to most medical schools.)

Upper-Division Requirements

Five core courses:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: BIOL 100 and 101 (8 credits); or BIOC 100A, 100B, and 100C* (15 credits)
Molecular Biology Laboratory: BIOL 101L 
Genetics: BIOL 105
Cell Biology: BIOL 110

At least 15 credits of elective courses from the following list:

BIOL 111A, Immunology I
BIOL 111B, Immunology II
BIOL 112, Virology 
BIOL 114, Cancer Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 116, Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (3 credits)
BIOL 117, Global Health and Neglected Diseases (3 credits)
BIOL 120, Developmental Biology
BIOL 125, Introduction to Neuroscience
BIOL 126, Advanced Molecular Neuroscience
BIOL 127, Neurodegenerative Disease
BIOL 128, Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 130, Human Physiology
BIOL 178L, Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
BIOC 100C, Biochemistry*
BIOE 109, Evolution
BIOE 135/L, Plant Physiology/Laboratory
Biomolecular Engineering 110, Computational Biology Tools
Biomolecular Engineering 130, Genomes
Biomolecular Engineering 155, Biotechnology and Drug Development
Biomolecular Engineering 160/L, Research Programming for Biologists and Biochemists/Laboratory
Biomolecular Engineering 178, Stem Cell Biology
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology
Physics 180, Biophysics

*Students who complete the BIOC 100ABC sequence can use BIOC 100C to satisfy an upper-division elective.

One of the following laboratory courses:

BIOL 100L, Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 105L, Eukaryotic Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 109L, Yeast Molecular Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 115L, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIOL 120L, Development Laboratory
BIOL 121L, Environmental Phage Biology Laboratory
BIOL 186L, Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 110L, Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L, Microbiology Laboratory

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in molecular, cell, and developmental biology is satisfied by completing one of the following courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 110L; BIOL 100L, 105L, 109L, 115L, 120L, 121L, 186L; or Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L.

Comprehensive Requirement

All majors require a comprehensive requirement. For the MCD Biology B.S., this requirement can be satisfied by receiving a passing grade in an independent research laboratory: BIOL 100L, 105L, 109L, 115L, 120L, 121L, 186L; or Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119L.

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology B.S. Sample Planners

Frosh sample planners.

Transfer student sample planners.

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Neuroscience Major

Neuroscience, the study of the nervous system and behavior of animals, is a frontier area in biology, touching psychology on the one hand and computer science on the other. The neuroscience major provides students with rigorous preparation for graduate studies and research in the field of neuroscience.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the Neuroscience major will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of how biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology are used to elucidate both the function of cells and their organization into tissues.

• Recognize that biology has a basis in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

• Describe how scientific method is used to explain natural phenomena.

• Use effective oral and written language skills to communicate scientific data and ideas.

• Understand safe laboratory practices and perform basic molecular biology techniques.

• Generate hypotheses, evaluate data, and design experiments to investigate a scientific problem.

• Present advanced knowledge in the specialized field of neuroscience.

Neuroscience B.S. Major Requirements

Lower-Division Requirements

Introductory Biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, BIOL 20L and BIOE 20C
General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B and 1C/N
Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 8A/L and 8B
Calculus: Mathematics 11A-B or 19 A-B
Statistics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 5 or 7/L
Physics: Physics 6A/L and 6C, or may take 7A- B and 6 L (Note: Physics 7A- B will not satisfy the physics prerequisite for admission to most medical schools)

Upper-Division Requirements

Seven core courses:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: BIOL 100 and 101 (8 credits); or BIOC 100A, 100B, and 100C* (15 credits)
Molecular Biology Laboratory: BIOL 101L
Genetics: BIOL 105
Cell Biology: BIOL 110
Neuroscience: BIOL 125
Advanced Neuroscience: BIOL 126

Two of the following electives (only one of which may be a 3-credit course: BIOL 116 or BIOL 117):

BIOE 131/L, Animal Physiology/Laboratory
BIOE 140, Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 111A, Immunology I
BIOL 111B, Immunology II
BIOL 114, Cancer Cell Biology
BIOL 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
BIOL 116, Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (3 credits)
BIOL 117, Global Health and Neglected Diseases (3 credits)
BIOL 120, Developmental Biology
BIOL 127, Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Disease
BIOL 128, Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 130, Human Physiology
BIOL 178L, Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
BIOC 100C, Biochemistry*
Biomolecular Engineering 110, Computational Biology Tools
Biomolecular Engineering 130, Genomes
Biomolecular Engineering 155, Biotechnology and Drug Development
Biomolecular Engineering 160/L, Research Programming for Biologists and Biochemists/Laboratory
Biomolecular Engineering 178, Stem Cell Biology
Physics 180, Biophysics
Psychology 121, Perception
Psychology 123, Behavioral Neuroscience

*Students who complete the BIOC 100ABC sequence can use BIOC 100C to satisfy an upper-division elective.

One of the following laboratory electives:

BIOE 141L, Behavioral Ecology Field Course
BIOL 100L, Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 105L, Eukaryotic Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 109L, Yeast Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 115L, Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 120L, Development Laboratory
BIOL 121L, Environmental Phage Biology Laboratory
BIOL 186L, Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in neuroscience is satisfied by completing one of the following: BIOE 141L, BIOL 100L, 105L, 109L, 115L, 120L, 121L, 186L.

Comprehensive Requirement

All majors require a comprehensive requirement. For the Neuroscience B.S., this requirement can be satisfied by receiving a passing grade in an independent research laboratory: BIOE 141L, BIOL 100L, 105L, 109L, 115L, 120L, 121L, 186L.

Neuroscience B.S. Sample Planners

Frosh sample planners.
Transfer students sample planners.

 

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Biology Minor Requirements

The biology minor is designed to incorporate elements of both EEB and MCD disciplines.

Lower-division requirements

Introductory biology: BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, BIOL 20L and BIOE 20C
Introductory chemistry: CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1C
Organic Chemistry: CHEM 8A

Upper-division requirements

BIOL 100 Biochemistry
BIOL 105 Genetics
BIOE 107 Ecology
BIOE 109 Evolution

Students must complete one upper-division biology elective (5-7 credits) chosen from Biological Sciences-EEB courses (BIOE) or Biological Sciences-MCDB courses (BIOL) numbered 100-181.

There is no senior comprehensive requirement for the biology minor. Please contact Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology undergraduate advisers for further information.

Honors

Honors in the majors are awarded to graduating students whose academic performance demonstrates excellence at a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above. Highest honors are awarded to those students whose performance demonstrates the highest level of excellence and results in a GPA of 3.8 or above.

Medical and Professional School Admission

Medical and professional school admissions requirements vary; students should verify that their coursework will satisfy the admissions requirements of the programs to which they plan to apply.

Course Substitution/Transfer Credit Policy

At least half of the upper-division courses (numbered 100–190) required for each major must be taken through the biological sciences program at UCSC, not as transfer credits from another department or institution. Transfer students are advised to contact a department adviser before enrolling in numerous upper-division courses at other institutions. For more information on transferring courses to UCSC, please consult the undergraduate website.

Students who wish to receive credit toward the major for different courses taken either at UCSC or at another institution should contact a department adviser.

Education Abroad Opportunities

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

Students interested in study abroad need to get an early start on their basic science requirements, including chemistry, mathematics, and introductory biology and must declare their major prior to applying to go abroad. Visit the EAP office as soon as possible to begin planning; you must seek advice about your EAP plan for major courses at UCSC from a department adviser and/or faculty adviser and receive their approval for your plans.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is available at the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology office. Students should take full advantage of this opportunity and should keep in frequent touch with the advisers to stay informed about late announcements of courses, changes in scheduling, and opportunities for special study. For additional advice and information please see the undergraduate website.

Graduate Program Description

The program in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental (MCD) biology (courses BIOL) leads to either the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or the master of arts (M.A.) and is designed to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and biotechnology. Current research in MCD biology focuses on such topics as the structure and function of RNA, gene expression, chromatin structure, epigenetics, cell signaling, cell division, development, nerve cell function, and stem cell biology.

Ph.D. Program

Ph.D. students complete the graduate core courses, BIOL 200A, 200B, and 200C, and 200D in the first year. Students are required to participate in laboratory research meetings and departmental seminar series (BIOL 291/292) every quarter. First-year Ph.D. students complete three six-week laboratory rotations. Students choose their rotation laboratories in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Committee. The laboratory rotations give students a chance to learn about the diverse fields and methods of inquiry and to interact with members of the department. At the end of each rotation, students present a short talk or present a poster to the department on their rotation project. At the end of winter quarter, students consult with rotation faculty to identify a permanent thesis laboratory.

Second-year Ph.D. students are required to submit two proposals—one on their proposed thesis work and a second on an unrelated MCDB research topic. The Ph.D. qualifying examination, taken in spring quarter of the second year, is an oral examination on the two proposals. The examining committee is comprised of three internal reviewers and one external reviewer.

Once the qualifying examination is passed and prior to her/his department seminar, a student, with her/his faculty adviser, selects a thesis committee to help guide the student’s thesis research. This committee monitors the student’s progress and ultimately approves the final draft of the student’s dissertation. The student must meet with the thesis committee at least once a year after passing the qualifying examination.

A student is advanced to candidacy following presentation of her/his research to the department in a seminar. A passing evaluation requires demonstration of a good understanding of their project and background knowledge, and a clear presentation of their questions or hypotheses, tests of those, and progress to date.

This presentation takes place no later than spring of the third year.

Ph.D. students must take an ethics course (BIOL 289) and two approved advanced graduate electives, in addition to the core courses.

Ph.D. Requirements

Complete the graduate core courses:

• BIOL 200A, Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature

• BIOL 200B, Advanced Molecular Biology

• BIOL 200C, Advanced Cell Biology

• BIOL 200D, Advanced Developmental Biology

Complete BIOL 289, Practice of Science

Enroll in the seminar series each quarter, BIOL 291 and 292

Complete an oral qualifying examination

Present an advancement to candidacy seminar

Complete two advanced graduate elective courses (see the list below)

Meet yearly with a thesis committee after the qualifying examination

Complete two quarters of service as a teaching assistant

Complete thesis research resulting in peer-reviewed publications and a dissertation on original and significant work

Present the thesis defense in a departmental seminar

M.A. Program

Students apply to the master’s degree program through the same portal as for the Ph.D. degree program. While the M.A. is research intensive, master’s students do not do research rotations; they must identify a research adviser prior to the training period. Students are required to participate in laboratory research meetings and departmental seminar series every quarter.

M.A. Requirements

Complete the graduate core course:

BIOL 200A, Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature (to be completed in the first year)

Complete BIOL 289, Practice of Science

Enroll in the seminar series each quarter, BIOL 291 and 292

Complete two approved advanced electives (list below). The two electives may be completed in either the first or second year

Write a master’s thesis based on original research. (A scholarly dissertation of the literature and progress on research project. A peer-reviewed publication is not required for graduation.)

Present a thesis defense in a departmental seminar. The student will present their research project in a public venue such as a departmental seminar or one of the research clubs (RNA club, chromatin club, neuro club etc.). 

Approved Graduate Electives (Ph.D. and M.A. students complete two)

BIOL 200B, Advanced Molecular Biology or,
BIOL 200C, Advanced Cell Biology or,
BIOL 200D, Advanced Developmental
BIOL 201, RNA Processing
BIOL 203, Ribosomes and Translation
BIOL 204, Chromatin and Transcription
BIOL 205, Epigenetics
BIOL 206, Introduction to Stem Cell Biology
BIOL 206L, Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
BIOL 207, Population Genetics
BIOL 208, Cellular Signaling Mechanisms
BIOL 214, Advances in Cancer Biology
BIOL 215, Applied Statistics for Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
BIOL 226, Advanced Neuroscience
BIOL 228, Developmental Neurobiology
AMS 156, Linear Regression*
AMS 202, Linear Models*
AMS 205B, Intermediate Classical Interference*
AMS 256, Linear Statistical Models*
BME 110, Computational Biology Tools
BME 130, Genomes
BME 210, Applications and Analysis of Microarrays
BME 220, Bioinformatics
BME 230, Computational Genomics
BME 237, Applied RNA Bioinformatics
CHEM 200A, Advanced Biochem: Biophysical Methods
CHEM 200B, Advanced Biochem: Protein Structure and Function
CHEM 200C, Advanced Biochem: Structure and Function of Nucleic Acids
CHEM 238, Topics in Biophysical Chemistry/Grant Writing
EE 215, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Design
METX 202, Cellular and Molecular Toxicology
METX 206A, Advanced Microbiology
METX 210, Bacterial Pathogenesis

*Students who have had no or very little statistics should audit or take AMS 7 (5 credits) and perhaps also AMS 7L (2 credits) to learn the basics, before taking one of the graduate-level courses.

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Revised: 09/01/17