Introduction to basic biochemistry, cell biology and genetics. Topics include biological macromolecules, molecular basis of heredity, cell theory, cellular organelles, cell division cycle, mitosis, meiosis, fertilization, early development, Mendelian genetics, and molecular genetics. Biological principles will be taught with examples involving the nervous system where appropriate. Designed for Psychological and Brain Sciences majors.

Prerequisites: Chem 1A-B with a minimum grade of C- or better in each.

4

Units

Letter

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

None

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
Unlocks EEMB 7
Disallowed majors aqbio biosc biocm cdbio mcrbi phrma ecoev physy zool prbio
AZARENKO O
Olga Azarenko
2.8
61 reviews
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Spring 2024 . Azarenko O
NH 1006
M W F
08:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Summer 2024 . Azarenko O
ILP 1101
M T W R
09:30 AM - 10:55 AM
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MCDB 6 Azarenko O Summer 2025 Total: 52
MCDB 6 Azarenko O Spring 2025 Total: 138
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63
2.8
MCDB126 . Azarenko O 7 Days Ago

Class was largely determined by two midterms (4/10 difficulty, 85 average) and a final (6/10 difficulty, 80 average). Your grade will be your ability to memorize/apply; memorize everything starting from day 1 including idiosyncratic one-line details on slides, USE ANKI!! The group project was unclear and based on others' efforts.

1 helpful 0 unhelpful
MCDB126 . Azarenko O 25 Days Ago

Notice how all her good reviews are from MCDB 6? That says everything about how bad 126 actually is. This class is a total mess. Don't let those intro-class ratings trick you. Stay away from this course and the Pharmacology major entirely. It's just not worth it. Save yourself!

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
MCDB126 . Azarenko O 25 Days Ago

I get it's a hard class, but the patient case study is a mess. 20 pts depend on peer reviews with zero transparency on the grading mechanism. What if our peers are malicious? This was added last minute, probably to curve since Case 1 was bad, but it's totally unfair. Grades should reflect work, not others' random opinions. Unfair.

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MCDB126 . Azarenko O 25 Days Ago

Hardest class ever. Mentally destructive for my anxiety. Memorizing 200+ drugs/MOAs/side effects is insane. MCDB 111 is hard but at least it's not all memorizing! Studied 2 weeks + all-nighter and still tanked the final. If you aren't pre-med, I'd skip this class and major. Doubt the prof knows it all by heart. Total academic torture.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
MCDB6 . Azarenko O A Month Ago

Very doable class if you stay on top of lectures. You can redo weekly quizzes, and she gives study materials for exams. Lots of content but she explains important things in depth. Biology is hard, but I thought her exams were true to the content. You can do this!

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MCDB6 . Azarenko O A Month Ago

Olga is a queen!!! 2 midterms and 1 final, weekly quizzes that u can retake, and iclicker are what make up ur grade. If u go to lecture and pay attention u will be fine! She also gives so many practice resources and posts her lectures on canvas. She's SO FUNNY and genuinely cares about her students. These bad reviews are jealous of this stem baddie

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