<p>hey dudes,
So I was browsing around on facebook, a common, albeit useless pastime of mine these days, when I saw a group called "mcb does not deserve its own college." They argued that its graduates also did not deserve a b.s. because it simply isn't rigorous enough, especially in comparison to a very similar major: Chemical Biology. So that got me thinking...hey...I'm not pre-med so I'm not dying to get a 4.0, and I enjoy working my butt off if it means I'll be prepared for my future (currently: a Ph.D and then a research job at a Biotech company) so should I perhaps switch from mcb to chemical biology? Of course there's also a matter of pride in having a b.s. instead of a b.a. and YET there's also microbial biology which is much easier in terms of requirements and whatnot, and very similar, and THAT gets a b.s. so maybe on the other hand, I want to take it easier and get a b.s. at the same time so I can have a higher gpa for grad school?</p>
<p>Decisions, decisions. </p>
<p>So what think you?</p>
<p>Chemistry is just a better college to be in and more rigorous. The students are nicer, the work more rigorous, and the competition less fierce. MCB is filled with many jerks interested only in their own, often vicarious, need to become a doctor. </p>
<p>That being said there are other factors at play. Chemistry midterms tend to be more problem solving wheras many MCB classes have essay-type open-ended midterms. Personally I think its better when midterms are unambiguous in science and you should thus major in Chemical Biology.</p>
<p>Do Bioengineering in the College of Engineergin!</p>
<p>MCB isn't rigorous enough? Perhaps the material isn't rigorous, but from what I hear, the curves aren't exactly in your favor. Just compare the amount of ultra-competitive pre-meds in MCB than in Chemistry.</p>
<p>I would recommend Bio E or just plain chemistry for that challenging yet friendly environment. MCB major numbers are so high that it becomes a fierce battle for that B + .</p>
<p>MCB classes, particularly the lower div intro ones, have tons and tons and students - my Chem1A class in Fall 05 had over 1300 students enrolled. The curve can be very, very bad news for your GPA. Even in the upper divs, since MCB is the largest major at Cal (actually I'm not sure about that, but I'm 100% sure it's the largest major in L&S) are bigger than other majors' upper div classes.</p>
<p>i'm going to change my major from mcb to chem bio. After talking to one of the grad students at my lab, I decided it would be better since i'm not premed. mcb treats everyone like crap cus theres too many of them</p>