Biology, B.S-Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)Concentration provides a broad-based education in modern life science while offering the opportunity for students to concentrate their efforts within studies related to molecular and cellular biology. Through consultation with a professional advisor, students select elective courses that focus on cell and molecular biology and, biomedical sciences. The Bachelor of Science curriculum includes a strong background in the supporting sciences: Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. The MCB concentration prepares students for admission to graduate, medical, dental, and other professional schools; for careers in academic and industrial research; teaching; and for various careers in the publishing, pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology industries.

Students may declare their interest in entering into the BS concentration after completing Principles of Biology I and II.  Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.7 to select a BS concentration. Students may apply to enter into specific BS concentrations following consultation with department advisors. 

Core Biology Requirements

Total Credit Hours: 72

Core Biology Requirements13
BIOL 130Principles Biology I4
BIOL 131Principles Biology II4
BIOL 304Genetics4
BIOL 440Biology Seminar1
Core Science and Math29
MATH 140Statistics I3
MATH 192Calculus and Analytic Geometry I4
PHYS 140Principles of Physics I - Lecture3
PHYS 1140Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation1
PHYS 141Principles of Physics II - Lecture3
PHYS 1141Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation1
CHEM 105General Chemistry I Lecture3
CHEM 1105General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory2
CHEM 106General Chemistry II Lecture3
CHEM 1106General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory2
CHEM 207Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 2207Organic Chemistry I Laboratory1
Concentration Specific Requirements16
BIOL 230Cell Biology4
BIOL 406Molecular Genetics4
BIOL 407Advanced Cell Biology4
CHEM 208Organic Chemistry II3
or CHEM 307 Biochemistry I
CHEM 2208Organic Chemistry II Laboratory1
Concentration Specific Electives14
BIOL 301General Physiology4
BIOL 303Microbiology4
BIOL 305Histology4
BIOL 335Essential Concepts in Neuroscience3
BIOL 401Developmental Biology4
BIOL 403Radiation Biology4
BIOL 404Immunology3
BIOL 418Scanning Electron Microscopy4
BIOL 419Transmission Electron Microscopy4
BIOL 450Biology Research3
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
BIOL 130 Principles Biology I 4
 Credits4
Semester 2
BIOL 131 Principles Biology II 4
 Credits4
Sophomore
Semester 1
BIOL 230 Cell Biology 4
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I Lecture 3
CHEM 1105 General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory 2
MATH 192 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 4
 Credits13
Semester 2
BIOL 304 Genetics 4
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II Lecture 3
CHEM 1106 General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory 2
MATH 140 Statistics I 3
 Credits12
Junior
Semester 1
CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2207 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1
Biology Concentration Elective 3
 Credits7
Semester 2
CHEM 208
Organic Chemistry II
or Biochemistry I
3
CHEM 2208 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 1
Biology Concentration Elective 3
 Credits7
Senior
Semester 1
BIOL 406 Molecular Genetics 4
PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I - Lecture 3
PHYS 1140 Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation 1
Biology Concentration Elective 4
 Credits12
Semester 2
BIOL 407 Advanced Cell Biology 4
BIOL 440 Biology Seminar 1
PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II - Lecture 3
PHYS 1141 Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation 1
Biology Concentration Elective 4
 Credits13
 Total Credits72

Graduates of the MCB Concentration will be able to:

  1. Describe of the nature of science and knowledge of the factual and theoretical bases of biology, including mechanisms on the molecular and cellular levels.
  2. Differentiate the components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
  3. Relate the structure, interaction and regulation of organic molecules to essential functions and metabolic processes and pathways of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the structures and functions of and relationships among informational and cell signaling molecules, including their roles in cell division, inheritance, gene expression, phenotype and cell death.
  5. Analyze interactions between and among molecules, molecular systems and assemblages, cells and cellular systems, and multicellular entities essential to systems biology.
  6. Relate scientific concepts to contemporary issues such as disease processes, inherited disorders, drug resistance, and recombinant DNA and transgenic organisms.
  7. Demonstrate understanding of scientific inquiry and explain how scientific knowledge is acquired and validated.
  8. Apply quantitative knowledge and reasoning to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
  9. Compose written and/or oral presentations utilizing scientific information. 
  10. Develop research methods employing up-to-date scientific tools to study molecular and cellular biology.