Is there a biochemistry major at UC Berkeley?
I'm working on narrowing down my college major interests and I'm pretty set on biochemistry. I tried searching UC Berkeley's website but I'm finding the information a little confusing. Does UC Berkeley actually offer a straight-up biochemistry major, or is it only under biology or chemistry?
If you know about the specific department or how the program is structured (like, is it a joint major or a specialized track?), I would love to hear. Also if anyone has gone through the biochemistry program there, any details about classes, research, or other stuff would be great.
If you know about the specific department or how the program is structured (like, is it a joint major or a specialized track?), I would love to hear. Also if anyone has gone through the biochemistry program there, any details about classes, research, or other stuff would be great.
1 week ago
•
18 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 1 week ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley does offer a biochemistry-focused major, but it’s structured a little differently compared to some other schools. There isn’t a single major titled just "Biochemistry". Instead, you can study biochemistry through a couple of pathways:
First, there’s the Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) major in the College of Letters & Science, which has a "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" emphasis. When you declare MCB, you choose one of five emphases and biochemistry is one of them. The MCB program is run by the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology. If you really want to focus on the biochemical and molecular principles, this is the most direct route. You'll take lower-division requirements in chemistry, physics, and biology, then upper-division courses in things like enzyme kinetics, cell structure, metabolism, and genetics.
There’s also the Chemical Biology emphasis within the Chemistry major (College of Chemistry). This track leans more toward the chemistry side, but there's a lot of overlap with biochemistry—especially if you enjoy the molecular side of life sciences. This department is the College of Chemistry, and the workload is generally considered more chemistry-heavy, including lots of lab work.
Some students actually double major or do a minor/major combo between MCB and Chemistry, which can give you both perspectives. Both paths offer plenty of opportunities for research. For example, a student interested in biochemistry might work in a lab studying protein folding in MCB, or enzyme design in Chemistry.
Classes you’d likely take in either track include Biochemistry, Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Cell Biology, and specialized advanced courses. Research is a big deal at Berkeley—many students get involved as early as sophomore year. There are also tons of seminars, clubs (like the Biochemistry Undergraduate Student Association), and connections to local biotech firms.
If you’re hoping for a program literally called "Biochemistry," the closest you’ll find is the "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" emphasis within MCB. That’s where many biochemistry-minded students end up, and it’s very well respected.
If you want to explore the exact requirements and sample schedules, check the MCB undergraduate advising page or the College of Chemistry’s Chemical Biology area. You’ll find course lists, research opportunities, and contacts for further questions—in case you want to reach out to advisors directly.
First, there’s the Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) major in the College of Letters & Science, which has a "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" emphasis. When you declare MCB, you choose one of five emphases and biochemistry is one of them. The MCB program is run by the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology. If you really want to focus on the biochemical and molecular principles, this is the most direct route. You'll take lower-division requirements in chemistry, physics, and biology, then upper-division courses in things like enzyme kinetics, cell structure, metabolism, and genetics.
There’s also the Chemical Biology emphasis within the Chemistry major (College of Chemistry). This track leans more toward the chemistry side, but there's a lot of overlap with biochemistry—especially if you enjoy the molecular side of life sciences. This department is the College of Chemistry, and the workload is generally considered more chemistry-heavy, including lots of lab work.
Some students actually double major or do a minor/major combo between MCB and Chemistry, which can give you both perspectives. Both paths offer plenty of opportunities for research. For example, a student interested in biochemistry might work in a lab studying protein folding in MCB, or enzyme design in Chemistry.
Classes you’d likely take in either track include Biochemistry, Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Cell Biology, and specialized advanced courses. Research is a big deal at Berkeley—many students get involved as early as sophomore year. There are also tons of seminars, clubs (like the Biochemistry Undergraduate Student Association), and connections to local biotech firms.
If you’re hoping for a program literally called "Biochemistry," the closest you’ll find is the "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" emphasis within MCB. That’s where many biochemistry-minded students end up, and it’s very well respected.
If you want to explore the exact requirements and sample schedules, check the MCB undergraduate advising page or the College of Chemistry’s Chemical Biology area. You’ll find course lists, research opportunities, and contacts for further questions—in case you want to reach out to advisors directly.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years