Major Requirements
- Bioinformatics
- Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
- General Biology
- Human Biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Neurobiology
Description, major requirements and advising resources for the Molecular and Cell Biology (BI37) Major in the School of Biological Sciences.
The Lower-Divison and Upper-Division Requirements listed on this page only apply to students who were admitted to UC San Diego in Fall 2024.
Older major requirements can be referenced within the General Catalog Archive.
The Molecular and Cell Biology major emphasizes instruction in the basic molecular principles that allow organisms to live, grow, and adapt to their environment. Students will learn to apply concepts from biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology to a diverse array of questions ranging from how plants move towards light to the molecular basis of cancer. Students will also be exposed to interdisciplinary approaches to biology, such as bioinformatics, which combines genetics, molecular biology and computer science. The broad scope of the Molecular and Cell Biology major makes it ideal for students interested in a wide variety of careers including medicine, postgraduate training in basic or translational research, biotechnology, science writing and policy, public health, and science education.
Note: Any given course can only satisfy one major requirement
Coursework taken outside of the School of Biological Sciences may be applicable toward the major, assuming the course has been previously reviewed and approved and meets minimum criteria. Non-reviewed coursework requires an Undergraduate Student Petition for consideration.
In addition to programmatic course requirements, all majors offered by the School of Biological Sciences have a minimum grade, upper division unit and residency requirement. All coursework, along with additional major requirements, must be complete in order to earn a degree from the School.
UC San Diego is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Interested in how your curriculum is built? View our Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators. You can find out more about accreditation and WASC at UC San Diego Accreditation. Additionally, the School of Biological Sciences' Program Learning Outcomes align with knowledge and compentencies mastered by undergraduate students upon completion of degree requirements.