Program Overview

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Introduction to the Molecular and Cell Biology Program

The molecular and cell biology (MCB) major is designed for students with interests in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or genetics, including subsequent careers in research and biotechnology.

Major Requirements

To graduate with a BS degree in MCB, students must complete at least 27 credits of 2000-level or higher courses in MCB, with at least nine credits at the 3000 level or above. The 27 credits must include courses from the major requirements below. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA in their major of 2.0 or higher.

Introductory Biology Course

• Complete BIOL 1107: Principles of Biology I (4 credits)

MCB Core Courses

• Complete all of the following courses:
  • MCB 2210: Cell Biology (3 credits) or MCB 2215: Honors Cell Biology (3 credits)
  • MCB 2410: Genetics (3 credits) or MCB 2400: Human Genetics (3 credits)
  • MCB 2610: Fundamentals of Microbiology (4 credits)
  • MCB 2000: Introduction to Biochemistry (4 credits) or MCB 3010: Biochemistry (5 credits)

Organic Chemistry

• Complete both of the following courses:
  • CHEM 2443: Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
  • CHEM 2444: Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)

Laboratory Requirement

• Complete at least one of the following laboratory courses:
  • MCB 2225: Cell Biology Laboratory (4 credits)
  • MCB 2612: Microbe Hunters – Crowdsourcing Antibiotic Discovery (4 credits)
  • MCB 3189: Clinical Research Lab (3 credits)
  • MCB 3220: Developmental Biology Lab (4 credits)
  • MCB 3413: Concepts of Genetic Analysis (4 credits)
  • MCB 3421: Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics (4 credits)
  • MCB 3637: Practical Methods in Microbial Genomics (3 credits)
  • MCB 3633: Pathogenic Microbiology (4 credits)
  • MCB 4896: Undergraduate Research (3 credits)
  • MCB 4026W: Advanced Biochemistry Lab (4 credits)
  • MCB 4624: Experiments in Bacterial Genetics (3 credits)
  • MCB 4996: Honors Undergraduate Research (3 credits)

Writing in the Major

• Complete at least one of the following:
  • MCB 3022W: Human Disease (3 credits)
  • MCB 3602W: Introduction to Bioinformatic Tools for Microbial Genome Annotation (1 credit)
  • MCB 3841W: Research and Literature in MCB (3 credits)
  • MCB 3842W: Current Investigations in Cancer Cell Biology (3 credits)
  • MCB 3843W: Research Literature in Comparative Genomics (3 credits)
  • MCB 3844W: Microbiology and the Media (3 credits)
  • MCB 3845W: Microbial Diversity, Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
  • MCB 3847W: Historically Excluded and Underrepresented Scientists (3 credits)
  • MCB 3849W: Symbiosis: The Science of Living Together (3 credits)
  • MCB 4026W: Advanced Biochemistry Lab (4 credits)
  • MCB 4897W: Senior Research Thesis (3 credits)
  • MCB 4997W: Honors Research Thesis (3 credits)

Related Courses

• Complete at least 12 credits of 2000-level or higher related courses outside MCB, including CHEM 2443 and 2444.

Sample Course Sequence

The following sample course sequence assumes that the student has met the foreign language requirement in high school.

First Semester (Fall)

• BIOL 1107 (4 credits)
• CHEM 1127Q or 1124Q (3-4 credits)
• Gen Ed (3 credits)
• First-year writing or Gen Ed (3-4 credits)
• UNIV 1800 (FYE) (1 credit)

Second Semester (Spring)

• BIOL 1108 or MCB core (3 credits)
• CHEM 1128Q or 1125Q (3-4 credits)
• Gen Ed (3 credits)
• Gen Ed or First-year writing (3-4 credits)

Third Semester (Fall)

• MCB core course (3-4 credits)
• MATH 1131Q (4 credits)
• CHEM 1126Q or 2443 (3 credits)
• W course (3 credits)
• Gen Ed (3 credits)

Fourth Semester (Spring)

• MCB core course (3-5 credits)
• CHEM 2444 (3 credits)
• MATH 1132Q (4 credits)
• Gen Ed or elective (3 credits)
• Gen Ed (3 credits)

Fifth Semester (Fall)

• PHYS 1201Q or 1401Q (4 credits)
• MCB core course (3-5 credits)
• MCB writing (W) course (3-4 credits)
• Gen Ed (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Sixth Semester (Spring)

• PHYS 1202Q or 1402Q (4 credits)
• MCB core course (3-4 credits)
• Elective or related course (3 credits)
• Gen Ed (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Seventh Semester (Fall)

• MCB (lab) course (3-4 credits)
• Related course (3 credits)
• 3000+ MCB elective course (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Eighth Semester (Spring)

• 3000+ MCB elective course (3-4 credits)
• Elective or related course (3 credits)
• Gen Ed or elective (3 credits)
• Gen Ed or elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)