IMPORTANT Info for all Microbiology Majors graduating in S25, Sum 25, F25, and W26: Major Area I.E. MCDB 136H is required in lieu of MCDB 134

[Biology Undergrad Majors List]

Attention all 3rd and 4th year students pursuing the Microbiology B.S. Major (using the 23/24 major sheet or older), who are planning to graduate in S25, Sum 25, F25 or W26:

As MCDB 134 Virology is not being offered this coming Spring 2025, graduating Microbiology B.S. Major students instead are required to take and complete S25 MCDB 136H Cytokine Action and Viral Pathogenesis (2 units), Enrollment #31757, Thursdays 400- 550PM, in ILP 2207, in order to fulfill the Major Area I.E. Virology Requirement.  

If you are graduating please DO NOT DELAY in registering for S25 MCDB 136H during PASS 1 as it is projected to fill quickly, therefore do not wait til Pass 2 or 3 to enroll.  -In this regard, the degree audit will eventually be programmed to allow MCDB 136H to automatically count as fulfilling this Major Area I.E. Requirement. 

NOTE: All Microbiology Major students are still required to complete 48 upper division major units, so please adjust your schedules accordingly.

NOTE: For Microbiology B.S. Major students using the 23/24 major sheet or older, who are graduating in Spring 2026 or later, MCDB 134 is planned to be offered in Spring 2026 and therefore be required for the I.E. Virology Area Major requirement.

If you are a Microbiology Major or MCB Microbiology-Emphasis Major who is not graduating until Spring 26', do not at this time enroll into S25 MCDB 136H.  If you do so, the Dept/GOLD might initially drop you due to highly limited space which must go to the graduating Micro Majors first.  If some limited space in S25 MCDB 136H becomes available later during Pass 3, some microbiology majors or MCB Microbiology-Emphasis majors who are not graduating til S26, will have a potential opportunity to enroll at that time.

For those students pursuing the new MCB-Microbiology Emphasis Major, please review and follow the course requirements as outlined on the Major Sheet. 

MCDB 136H Description: A virology course designed to permit an in-depth consideration of selected aspects of the mechanisms of action of cytokines, with emphasis on the antiviral properties of interferons and their roles in host to viral infection and viral pathogenesis.  Instructor: Professor Zach Ma.  Prerequisites: MCDB 101A and MCDB 101B (101B may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C.

If you have any questions, Biology Advising is located on the 3rd floor of LSB in rooms #3324, 3318, 3316.  We are open 5 days a week for in person advising with no appointment needed: M-F 930-1130AM and M-R 1-4PM.

Sincere thanks for your understanding on this matter and we hope your studies are going well!