A multi-level cell (MLC) memory device may include ‘a’ number of m-bit MLC memory cells; an encoder that encodes ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream; and a signal mapping module that applies pulses to the MLC memory cells in order to write the encoded bit stream in the MLC memory cells. In the device, ‘a’ and ‘m’ may be integers greater than or equal to 2, ‘k’ and ‘n’ may be integers greater than or equal to 1, and ‘n’ may be greater than ‘k’. A method of storing data in the device may include encoding ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream. A method of reading data from the device may include decoding ‘n’ bits of data at a code rate of n/k to generate a decoded bit stream.