Primer DeCal @ UC Berkeley

This course is intended to provide an introduction to laboratory-based molecular biology. UC Berkeley is one the highest impact research institutions in the world–especially in the realm of biology and related life sciences. Therefore, science majors here have the ability to partake in ground-breaking research with world-renowned faculty. However, if accepted, 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 insight into techniques commonly utilized in any molecular biology lab and especially those frequently assigned to undergraduates when they first join a lab. This will help facilitate your transition into the laboratory and also help you make the most of your research experience, whether you are currently working in a lab or intend to in the future. We also assign each student a student mentor actively performing molecular biology research as a guide to answer questions and help navigate the difficult process of acquiring research at Berkeley. Instruction will be conducted through a mixture of lecturing and group activities during class time.