Metabolic Biology

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

The Metabolic Biology MS and PhD programs provide interdisciplinary training in the areas that include metabolic regulation, physiological chemistry, nutrient functions, and diseases related to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and cancer.

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Admissions

Admission to the University

Applying for Graduate Admission

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. A complete list of graduate academic departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

  2. A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

  3. Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page. It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here.

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page.

Admission to the Program

Admission to the Metabolic Biology (formally Molecular and Biochemical Nutrition) program is based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement and relevant experience. We practice holistic admissions—each part of the application is important and thoroughly reviewed.

Applicants with a background in the biological sciences and lab experience are best suited for the Metabolic Biology program. While there are no set prerequisites, we look for the coursework in areas such as calculus, general and organic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry. Because this program is designed to develop research scientists, it is also important that applicants are familiar with an experimental lab setting.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Curriculum

Courses Required
First Year
NUSCTX 103Nutrient Function and Metabolism4
MCELLBI 110Molecular Biology: Macromolecular Synthesis and Cellular Function4
NUSCTX 211AIntroduction to Research in Nutritional Sciences (Rotations & reports)4-8
NUSCTX 211BIntroduction to Research in Nutritional Sciences (Rotations & reports)4-8
NUSCTX 250Advanced Topics in Metabolic Biology3
NUSCTX 260Metabolic Bases of Human Health and Diseases Graduate Level4
NUSCTX 290Advanced Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (Advanced Special Topics offered by NST Dept. or any biological/chemical science department; 3 required taken once a year)2
NUSCTX 292Graduate Research Colloquium (Every semester)1
NUSCTX 293Research Seminar (Faculty Research Presentations)1
NUSCTX 299Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology Research *taken instead of NUSCTX 211B upon joining a lab after first or second rotation1-12
NUSCTX 302Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching Experience in Nutrition2
NUSCTX 375Professional Preparation: Teaching in Nutritional Sciences2
Second—Fifth Years
NUSCTX 290Advanced Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (Advanced Special Topics offered by NST Dept. or in any biological/chemical science department; 3 required taken once a year)2
NUSCTX 292Graduate Research Colloquium (Every semester)1
NUSCTX 299Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology Research (Every semester)1-12

Master's Degree Requirements

Curriculum

Courses Required
First Year
NUSCTX 103Nutrient Function and Metabolism4
MCELLBI 110Molecular Biology: Macromolecular Synthesis and Cellular Function4
NUSCTX 211AIntroduction to Research in Nutritional Sciences (Rotations & reports)4-8
NUSCTX 211BIntroduction to Research in Nutritional Sciences (Rotations & reports)4-8
NUSCTX 250Advanced Topics in Metabolic Biology3
NUSCTX 260Metabolic Bases of Human Health and Diseases Graduate Level4
NUSCTX 292Graduate Research Colloquium (Every semester)1
NUSCTX 293Research Seminar (Faculty Research Presentations)1
NUSCTX 299Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology Research *taken instead of NUSCTX 211B upon joining a lab after first rotation 1-12
NUSCTX 302Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching Experience in Nutrition *if teaching2
NUSCTX 375Professional Preparation: Teaching in Nutritional Sciences2
Second Year
NUSCTX 290Advanced Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (Advanced Special Topics offered by NST Dept. or in any biological/chemical science department)2
NUSCTX 292Graduate Research Colloquium1
NUSCTX 299Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology Research 1-12

Contact Information

Graduate Group in Metabolic Biology

119 Morgan Hall

Phone: 510-642-6490

Fax: 510-642-0535

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Group Chair

Andreas Stahl, PhD

astahl@berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Majabeen Samadi

Phone: 510-643-2863

majabeen@berkeley.edu

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