Alberts is the canonical cell bio text in most undergraduate biology programs. Phillips is more of an introduction to biophysics, so would require some degree

Alberts is the canonical cell bio text in most undergraduate biology programs. Phillips is more of an introduction to biophysics, so would require some degree of comfort with calculus and physics (e.g., classical mechanics, some E&M, and some statistical mechanics). The preface says only calculus and elementary physics is required.