Methods for controlling the level of dissolved carbon dioxide and limiting osmolality in a mammalian cell culture process to enhance cell growth, viability and density, and increase biologic product concentration and yield are provided. Such control of the level of dissolved carbon dioxide and pH as well as the resulting ability to limit osmolality in a mammalian cell culture process is achieved by adopting alternative pH control strategies and CO2 stripping techniques during a mammalian cell culture process. Such pH control techniques and carbon dioxide stripping occur with little or no damage to the mammalian cells.