This course is intended to provide an introduction to laboratory-based molecular biology. UC Berkeley is one the finest research institutions in the world - especially in the realm of biology; therefore, science majors here have the ability to partake in ground-breaking research with world-renowned faculty. However, if accepted into a research lab, there is a certain amount of information you’re expected to have learned; this information is not explicitly taught in any lower division course, and synthesizing it on your own can be daunting and difficult.

This course is intended to bridge this gap; we will be providing an insight into the basic techniques that will be utilized in any molecular biology lab. Of course, going over every possible laboratory mechanism is impossible; for this reason, we’ll be discussing techniques that are the most common and often assigned to undergraduates when they first join a laboratory. This will facilitate your transition into the laboratory and also help you make the most of your research experience. The instruction will be done through a mixture of lecturing and group activities during class time.

**We do not expect you to be a MCB major!**

Note: Syllabus subject to change during the semester.

Our DeCal welcomes students from any major and from all years as long as they have an interest in learning about research. We do require that all students have completed at least one semester at UC Berkeley so that they understand the rigor of academics at the university and can thereby allocate enough time towards this DeCal. As long as students fulfill these minimum requirements, we typically accept people into the class on a first come, first served basis after they complete our interest form.