t0m04k1

I will be entering Berkeley next fall in the College of L&S, and I wanted to ask if there is a significant difference between MCB and microbial biology. I know they're in different colleges, but I needed to know which major would be a right fit for me. I am interested in working in research, and I am planning to go to graduate school. I just heard that MCB has a more fierce competition compared to other majors because many pre-med students also major in MCB. I also heard that in microbial biology, you get more individual attention from faculty and access to research opportunities.

I want to take advantage of my time at Berkeley to use it towards undergrad research. Thanks.

windstruck

If I'm not mistaken you get a BS instead of a BA coming out of microbial bio. However, as far as competition goes you will be taking the same classes as your fellow MCB students anyways. Chem 1A, Chem 3A/3AL, Chem 3B/3BL, Math 1A, Math 1B, Physics 8A, Physics 8B, Bio 1A/1AL, Bio 1B. All these pre-reqs you will be taking with pre-meds. And since both majors are not capped, I don't think competition is an issue here. Now for microbial bio once you hit upper division courses you are gong to take more science classes and for MCB in L&S department you are going to satisfy your 7 breadth requirement. You have a nice variety of science classes you can choose from for microbial bio and you have a somewhat restricted list of breadth classes (in my opinion) for MCB. I said it's restricted because things like Chinese 1AX, Arabic, and etc... are simply out of the question for me. I'm not going to take it just to satisfy let say my international requirement.

As far as research goes the opportunity really comes from your own making and not your major. From my experience you really have to make connections and look around for research positions ie URAP.

tastyb33f

Forget URAP. It's much more effective to just contact profs or researchers directly.

Viromonkey

Yah I was also wondering that and found out that MCB is about the cell (mitosis,cytoplasm), while microbiology is more viruses, bacteria and protozoans. And yes MCB is fierce with a capital "ph" while micro is okay. I think in the college of L&S you can only get a BA (means more essay,writing) in MCB, while microbiology is only offered in the college of natural resources(my college) as a BS (more science/lab). So if you want a micro major you would have to switch colleges so they are different.