Required MCDB Major Undergraduate coures

*Note: Some courses are available only once a year. Be sure to plan accordingly.

Intro Requirement - 4 Hours:

MCDB 1150
Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
3 hours (Fall only)

PLUS

MCDB 1151
Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
1 hour (Fall only)

OR

MCDB 1111
Biofundamentals
4 hrs (Spring only)

OR

EBIO 1210/1230
Equivalent transfer credit
International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement may be used to satisfy the requirement for MCDB 1150/1151.

However, we strongly urge each student to discuss the available options with an MCDB advisor. MCDB 1150 covers molecular and cellular topics in greater depth than most alternative courses and thus provides a stronger foundation for advanced MCDB courses. A&S recognizes MCDB 1150/1151 as sufficiently different from EBIO 1210/1230 so that no credit is lost by also taking MCDB 1150/1151.

*EBIO 2050, the first course in the recently revised EBIO major, does not replace MCDB 1150/1151.

Principles - 4 Hours:

MCDB 2150
Principles of Genetics
3 hours (Spring and Fall)

PLUS

MCDB 2151
Principles of Genetics Laboratory
1 hour (Spring and Fall)

*MCDB 2150 (or genetics transfer credit) is a strict prerequisite for MCDB 3500.

MCDB 2150/2151 is normally taken in the Spring of the freshman year, immediately following MCDB 1150/1151.

MCDB 1150 and 2150 provide a strong foundation for advanced MCDB courses, but do not cover all of "general biology". Students who need this material for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or other purposes should consider taking EBIO 1220, (General Biology 2), IPHY3430(Human Physiology) or make a special effort to learn this material on their own.

Cell Biology - 5 Hours:

MCDB 3120
Cell Biology
3 hours (Fall and Spring)

PLUS

MCDB 3140
Cell Biology Laboratory
2 hours (Fall and Spring)

*MCDB 2150 is a prerequisite and CHEM 1131 a corequisite.

It is important not to allow the required chemistry sequence to fall more than one semester behind the required MCDB sequence. MCDB 3120/3140 is normally taken in the Fall of the second year. The lecture, but not the lab, is also available in the Spring.

Molecular Biology - 3 Hours:

MCDB 3500
Molecular Biology
3 hours (Fall and Spring)

*MCDB 2150 and CHEM 1131 are prerequisites.

Most advanced MCDB courses require both MCDB 3120 and MCDB 3500 as prerequisites. It is therefore desirable to complete all required MCDB courses through MCDB 3500 as early as possible to maintain maximum flexibility in the junior and senior years.

Immunology or Developmental Biology

OR

MCDB 4650
Developmental Biology
3 hours (Spring only)