Las Positas College to UC Berkeley
Molecular and Cell Biology Transfer Plan
Las Positas clears all eight of UC Berkeley's Molecular and Cell Biology requirements using just three biology courses between the two requirements. Chemistry is the longest sequence, five semesters starting at CHEM 31 before CHEM 1A even begins.
From
Las Positas College
To
UC Berkeley
Molecular and Cell BiologyMajor Requirements
Molecular and Cell Biology Major Preparation
Courses at Las Positas College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Molecular and Cell Biology major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Las Positas College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 1C + BIO 1B — Cell and Molecular Biology + General Zoology | BIOLOGY 1A, BIOLOGY 1AL | 10 |
| BIO 1C + BIO 1A — Cell and Molecular Biology + General Botany | BIOLOGY 1B — General Biology (Plant Form & Function, Ecology, Evolution) | 10 |
| CHEM 1A — General College Chemistry I | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AL | 5 |
| CHEM 1B — General College Chemistry II | CHEM 1B — General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 12A — Organic Chemistry I | CHEM 3A, CHEM 3AL | 5 |
| CHEM 12B — Organic Chemistry II | CHEM 3B, CHEM 3BL | 5 |
| MATH 1 — Calculus I | MATH 51 — Calculus I (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH 2 — Calculus II | MATH 52 — Calculus II (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH 3 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 53 — Multivariable Calculus (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH 7 + MATH 5 — Elementary Linear Algebra + Ordinary Differential Equations | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (choose 2) | 7 |
| MATH 10 — Discrete Mathematical Structures | MATH 55 — Discrete Mathematics (choose 2) | 4 |
| No Las Positas match | PHYSICS 8A — Introductory Physics (recommended) | — |
| No Las Positas match | PHYSICS 8B — Introductory Physics (recommended) | — |
| PHYS 1A + PHYS 1B — General Physics I + General Physics II | PHYSICS 7A — Physics for Scientists and Engineers (recommended) | 10 |
| PHYS 1B + PHYS 1C — General Physics II + General Physics III | PHYSICS 7B — Physics for Scientists and Engineers (recommended) | 10 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Berkeley after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Las Positas College
Complete these five courses at Las Positas College to start your UC Berkeley GE pattern. Finishing full IGETC/Cal-GETC at the CC is ideal — these five give you the broadest head start, and CCN-tagged courses stay portable if you switch community colleges.
BIO 10
Introduction to the Science of Biology
CHEM 12A
Organic Chemistry I
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
| Area | Course at Las Positas College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 10 — Introduction to the Science of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 12A — Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
HumanitiesCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Oral CommunicationCCN | COMM C1000 — Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
Chemistry starts before CHEM 1A
CHEM 31 leads to CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 12A, then CHEM 12B, five semesters minimum. Take CHEM 31 your first term so the rest of the chain isn't delayed.
Preview
Your First Semester
A preview of what Transfermatic generates — exact courses, in the right order, every semester.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
BIO 1C counts toward both requirements
BIOLOGY 1A/1AL needs BIO 1C with BIO 1B, and BIOLOGY 1B needs BIO 1C with BIO 1A. Three courses total, BIO 1A, 1B and 1C, clear both Berkeley requirements.
Physics 7A/7B is the matched route
PHYSICS 8A and 8B have no Las Positas equivalent, but PHYS 1A with PHYS 1B covers 7A, and PHYS 1B with PHYS 1C covers 7B. PHYS 1B counts toward both.
CHEM 31 comes before CHEM 1A
Las Positas requires CHEM 31 ahead of the general chemistry sequence, which adds a semester before CHEM 1A. Start it right away so organic chemistry is done by spring before transfer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What Las Positas classes cover Berkeley biology?
BIO 1A, BIO 1B and BIO 1C together satisfy both BIOLOGY 1A/1AL and BIOLOGY 1B, since BIO 1C is required for each. Three courses, not four, clear the whole biology requirement.
Is anything missing at Las Positas for Berkeley MCB?
No required course is missing. The only unmatched items are PHYSICS 8A and 8B, one of two recommended physics options; PHYS 1A through PHYS 1C covers the other pair instead.
What is the UC Berkeley MCB transfer admit rate?
23% in 2025 across every transfer applicant to Molecular and Cell Biology, not specific to Las Positas. Choosing MCB on your application sends admitted transfers straight into the major.
Do I need IGETC to transfer from Las Positas to Berkeley MCB?
No. Letters and Science doesn't require Cal-GETC or IGETC for admission, only the UC 7-course pattern and full major prep, though L&S strongly recommends completing one before you enroll at Berkeley.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Las Positas College students transferring into Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley can complete the full lower-division prep on campus, and biology takes just three courses: BIO 1A, BIO 1B and BIO 1C cover both Berkeley biology requirements. Chemistry runs longer, starting at CHEM 31 before CHEM 1A and continuing through CHEM 12B. Math and one recommended physics pair are matched too. Transfermatic maps the Las Positas plan around that five-semester chemistry chain so students see the whole route at once.
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