The Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Biology* provides an understanding of the chemical principles of biological function by emphasizing the development of a solid background in chemistry. In addition to an introductory set of math and physics courses and a broad selection of the same chemistry courses required for the chemistry major, students pursuing the chemical biology major take general and cell biology, biochemistry, biological macromolecular synthesis, and bioinorganic chemistry. The curriculum highlights organic chemistry, quantitative thermodynamics, and kinetics, subjects necessary for understanding the logic of biological systems. The Chemical Biology major is intended for students who are interested in careers as professional chemists, or in the biological sciences including the biomedical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.
* Please note that Chemical Biology is distinct from Biochemistry. Biochemistry is an emphasis within the Molecular and Cell Biology Major, housed in the College of Letters and Science.
Transfer students normally begin the upper division Chemical Biology program after having completed courses equivalent to Chemistry 1A, 1AL, 1B, 3A, 3AL, 3B, 3BL; Math 1A, 1B, 53; Physics 7A or 8A; English R1A, R1B; and most of the Breadth requirement.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
| Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Biology (2 year Transfer Program) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Third Year (Junior) | Fall | Spring |
| Chemistry 96 (F) -- Intro to Research | 1 | |
| Chemistry 135 (F) | 3 | - |
| Chemistry 120A** | - | 3 |
| Allied Subject | 3-4 | |
| Molecular & Cell Biology 110 -- Macromolecular Synthesis & Cellular Function | - | 4 |
| Chemistry C110L -- Biochemistry lab | - | 4 |
| Bio 1A + 1AL | 5 | - |
| Math 54***/Physics 7B or 8B | 4 | - |
| Total | 13 | 14-15 |
| Fourth Year (Senior) | Fall | Spring |
| Chemistry 120B** (Fall only) | 3 | - |
| Chemistry 103 (F) -- Inorganic Chem in Living Systems | 3 | |
| Chemistry 105 (ok for F or S) | 4 | or 4 |
| Chemistry elective (ok for F or S) | 3-4 | 3-4 |
| American Cultures | - | 3-4 |
| Research, other | 3-4 | 3-4 |
| Total | 13 units min. | 13 units min. |
F = Fall
S = Spring
*Chem 105 is required for students who did not satisfy the analytical chemistry requirement before transferring to Berkeley. It may be used to satisfy both the analytical chemistry requirement and the upper division lab requirement.
**Chem 120A and 120B should be taken in sequence. Note that Math 54 and Physics 7B or 8B are prerequisites for the 120 series.
***Physics 89 may be substituted for Math 54