Integrative Biology v. Molecular & Cell Biology

pibudogi · 05-14-2006, 09:29 PM

I know it's early to be deciding upon a major since I just got accepted into Cal, but I'm a little unsure of what path I want to take. I think I'm going to do pre-med and I've always wanted to major in "biology". I applied for Cal in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology under MCB though now I'm not entirely sure if MCB would interest me more than IB. I hear MCB is competitive and rigorous which I wouldn't mind at all. I like math and I plan to do the harder math series anyway. But within the area of biological sciences, I like learning about Human Biology the most. Genetics interest me too. So that would be a focus in IB instead of MCB... (Though learning about plants isn't something I find too interesting. lol) But do most pre-meds major in one biology major over the other? The Department of MCB seems to be the more popular.

I was wondering if there was anyone majoring IB or MCB and could perhaps tell me what the classes are like and how the experience is. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

tastyb33f · 05-14-2006, 10:26 PM

Most pre-meds major in MCB - in fact, MCB is the largest major in L&S. I was in the same situation as you, and after some serious thought about where my interests truly were, I decided to pursue IB rather than MCB. As far as lower div goes, IB is exactly the same as MCB except for the math requirements. Upper div...I've asked around, and many say that IB is far easier than MCB. However, within MCB, Cell and Developmental appears to be the easiest, most flexible specialty. Overall, however, I think IB has more upper div course choice...I'm actually not sure about that; I didn't bother to count. I think many pre-meds choose MCB over IB because they have a good fallback in case they don't get into med school - MCB might lead into grad school and research more easily than IB. It's because MCB courses help immensely with the material that we need to know for the MCAT. The lower div IB courses help out as well, of course, since they're the exact same course req as for MCB, but I think the upper div courses are what make the difference. Depends on how in-depth you really want to go.

BlueElmo · 05-14-2006, 11:11 PM

doesnt MCAT test the basic lower-division science matieral? Woudlnt lower-division IB courses already prepare one very well for the MCAT?

Hope · 05-15-2006, 08:10 PM

that's what i thought too. i mean kuz what if you major in lets say English & still do pre-med-- then u wouldn't be prepared? U probably have to know the stuff from the basic science classes right.

tastyb33f · 05-15-2006, 08:12 PM

Okay, so yeah, that's essentially what I said. You'd still have the proper preparation for the MCAT. Of course, outside prep materials help too. Practice exams, etc...you know the drill.

Hope · 05-15-2006, 08:20 PM

tastyb33f (haha nice sn btw) which MCB upper division classes & IB upper div. classes do u think are helpful for the MCAT? I think i'm leaning towards IB also~ So what made u decide IB instead of MCB?

BlueElmo · 05-15-2006, 11:59 PM

tasty, is cell and devlopment bio a very good choice for pre-meds. I Cant decide whehter to do Biochem or cell and devlopmental.

tastyb33f · 05-16-2006, 01:03 AM

Any choice under MCB is good for pre-meds. It all depends on what you're more interested in, and that's what you should make your focus. Keep in mind that med schools accept ANY major, as long as you fulfill the prereqs for application. It doesn't matter WHAT your specialty is. What matters is that you do something you enjoy and that you do something you're good at.

Prepositions are not something to end sentences with.

BlueElmo · 05-16-2006, 11:47 AM

are you pre-med, if so hows your experience in berkeley? Is it a good school for sending kids to med schools?

Hope · 05-16-2006, 11:20 PM

do pre-meds majoring in Integrative Bio. take only math 16A or do they take math 1A & 1B instead? In other words should all pre-meds take Math 1A & 1B?

tastyb33f · 05-17-2006, 01:30 AM

If math isn't your thing then don't worry about it - you don't want to risk the GPA if you don't have to. However, keep in mind that some, not all, med schools require a semester or a year or something of calculus. UCLA is special in that they also require stats.