Orange Coast College to UC Berkeley
Molecular and Cell Biology Transfer Plan
OCC covers every one of UC Berkeley's eight Molecular and Cell Biology requirements, and it even clears both of the recommended physics pairs. Chemistry is the long pole here, running five semesters from CHEM A130 to CHEM A225L.
From
Orange Coast College
To
UC Berkeley
Molecular and Cell BiologyMajor Requirements
Molecular and Cell Biology Major Preparation
Courses at Orange Coast College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Molecular and Cell Biology major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Orange Coast College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A185 + BIOL A180 — Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology + Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology | BIOLOGY 1A, BIOLOGY 1AL | 9 |
| BIOL A183 + BIOL A183L + BIOL A185 — Botany + Botany Lab + Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | BIOLOGY 1B — General Biology (Plant Form & Function, Ecology, Evolution) | 9 |
| CHEM A180 — General Chemistry A | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AL | 5 |
| CHEM A185 — General Chemistry B | CHEM 1B — General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM A220L + CHEM A220 — Organic Chemistry A Lab + Organic Chemistry A | CHEM 3A, CHEM 3AL | 5 |
| CHEM A225L + CHEM A225 — Organic Chemistry B Laboratory + Organic Chemistry B | CHEM 3B, CHEM 3BL | 5 |
| MATH A180 or MATH A180H or MATH A182H — Calculus 1 | MATH 51 — Calculus I (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH A182H or MATH A185 or MATH A185H — Calculus 1 and 2 Honors | MATH 52 — Calculus II (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH A280 or MATH A280H — Calculus 3 | MATH 53 — Multivariable Calculus (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH A285 or MATH A285H — Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (choose 2) | 5 |
| MATH A230 — Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | MATH 55 — Discrete Mathematics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS A130 — University Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab | PHYSICS 8A — Introductory Physics (recommended) | 4 |
| PHYS A135 — University Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab | PHYSICS 8B — Introductory Physics (recommended) | 4 |
| PHYS A185 — Calculus Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab | PHYSICS 7A — Physics for Scientists and Engineers (recommended) | 5 |
| PHYS A280 — Calculus Based Physics: Electricty/Magnetism with Lab | PHYSICS 7B — Physics for Scientists and Engineers (recommended) | 5 |
General Education
Foundation GE at Orange Coast College
Complete these five courses at Orange Coast 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.
BIOL A100
Principles of Biology
CHEM A100
Principles of Chemistry
HIST A101
Afro-American History
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Orange Coast College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL A100 — Principles of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM A100 — Principles of Chemistry | 3 |
Humanities | HIST A101 — Afro-American History | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
Chemistry is a five-semester chain
The path runs CHEM A130, CHEM A180, CHEM A185, CHEM A220, then CHEM A225L: five semesters minimum. Berkeley wants organic chemistry done by spring before transfer, so start CHEM A130 your first term.
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
One biology course counts twice
BIOL A185 satisfies part of both BIOLOGY 1A/1AL and BIOLOGY 1B. Pair it with BIOL A180 for the first and add BIOL A183 plus BIOL A183L for the second, four courses total.
Math menu goes beyond calculus
Berkeley wants any two of five math options. OCC's MATH A230 covers MATH 55, discrete math, so you're not locked into MATH A180 and MATH A185 as the only pair.
Both physics tracks are open
PHYS A130 and A135 cover PHYSICS 8A/8B, while PHYS A185 and A280 cover PHYSICS 7A/7B. Berkeley recommends either pair, not both, so pick whichever fits your math schedule.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What OCC classes do I need for UC Berkeley MCB?
CHEM A180, CHEM A185, CHEM A220 with CHEM A220L, and CHEM A225 with CHEM A225L for chemistry; BIOL A180, A183, A183L and A185 for biology; and any two of OCC's five matched math courses.
Does OCC cover every Berkeley MCB requirement?
Yes. All eight required items are matched at OCC, and both strongly recommended physics pairs are covered too, so nothing here has to wait until after you transfer.
What is the UC Berkeley MCB transfer admit rate?
23% in 2025, across every transfer applicant to Molecular and Cell Biology from any college, not an OCC-specific number. Selecting MCB on your application places you directly into the major if admitted.
Do I need IGETC to transfer from OCC to Berkeley MCB?
No. Letters and Science doesn't require IGETC or Cal-GETC for admission, though it's recommended for degree progress later. You still need the UC 7-course pattern plus every required prep course.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Orange Coast College students planning to transfer into Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley can complete the entire lower-division requirement at OCC. General chemistry runs through CHEM A185, organic chemistry through CHEM A225L, and biology combines BIOL A180 with BIOL A183, A183L and A185. Two math courses and, if you want them, both recommended physics sequences are matched too. Transfermatic maps this whole OCC course list against the five-semester chemistry chain so you know exactly what to take and when, term by term, before you apply.
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