The goal of UCI's program in Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology (MCSB) is to provide students from a variety of educational backgrounds with Ph.D. training suitable for research careers in the nascent field of Systems Biology. The program emphasizes in-depth classroom study, interdisciplinary research rotations, and individualized advising.

Currently, the program begins with an initial "gateway" year, known as the Mathematical and Computational Biology (MCB) program, during which students receive basic training in principles of biology, as well as in mathematics, engineering and computer science.   Students also participate in research rotations, workshops, and directed reading of the Systems Biology literature. Upon successful completion of the MCB year, students select a thesis advisor from among the participating faculty, who represent departments throughout the biological, physical and information sciences and engineering. Students fulfill the remainder of their degree requirements according to the guidelines of the departmental programs to which their thesis advisors belong, at the same time continuing to participate in workshops, retreats, journal clubs and other activities of the MCSB program. At some point in the future, it is expected that MCSB students will also have the option of receiving an interdisciplinary degree independent from departmental program requirements.