Program Overview

Introduction to the Molecular Biology Major

The Molecular Biology major emphasizes the study of molecules that make up an organism, how they interact, and how they are controlled. With the development of the field of genomics, biologists also study one class of molecules (DNA) at the whole genome level. Molecular biology and genomics are applied within all biological disciplines, including biochemistry, cell biology, and developmental biology. Molecular biology and genomics developments have revolutionized biological research, fueling the explosive growth in the biotechnology industry and rapid increase of molecular medicine.

Program Overview

The Molecular Biology and Genomics major provides a strong background for many science careers, incorporating the requirements expected for admission to medical, dental, and other health professional schools and to graduate schools in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and related disciplines. Positions for molecular biologists at the BS, MS, and PhD levels are available in the biotechnology industries as well as in universities, medical schools, hospitals, government laboratories, research institutes, and public health institutions.

Accreditation

The Molecular Biology, BS is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which recognizes excellent degree programs. Students may elect to take a degree certification exam.

Program Duration and Structure

This major is designed to be completed in 4 academic years. Specific course sequencing cannot be changed. If you are looking for a major that can be completed in fewer than 4 academic years, we offer a BS in Biological Sciences which is much more flexible in course sequencing. Occasionally a student bringing in transfer credit may have a different timeline.

Requirements

• All students within the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences must complete General Education Requirements. These courses provide breadth to your education beyond training in the Biological Sciences.
• All majors within the Department of Biological Sciences must also complete Co-requisite courses in Chemistry, Math, Statistics, and Physics; these courses give you the scientific background to maximize your education within the Molecular Biology major.
• The major progress tracker is a comprehensive list of the courses Molecular Biology majors must complete to obtain the B.S. degree. Review the BIOSC Courses webpage for available BIOSC electives. It is the student's responsibility to track their progress through the major and general education requirements.

Sample Schedule

This is a sample schedule of how one could arrange a well-balanced curriculum for a major in Molecular Biology. We recommend students enroll in no more than 6 - 8 credits of science/math each term. Also, make sure to balance all labs across several terms.

First Year

• First Year Fall Semester:
  • BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1 3 credits
  • CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 with lab 4 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 7
  • Total credits = 16
• First Year Spring Semester:
  • BIOSC 0157 Foundations of Biology Research labs 1 & 2 2 credits
  • BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology 2 3 credits
  • CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 with lab 4 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 9
  • Total credits = 15

Second Year

• Second Year Fall Semester:
  • BIOSC 0267 Intermediate Biology Research Laboratory 2 credits
  • CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1 3 credits
  • BIOSC 0350 Genetics 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 9
  • Total credits = 15
• Second Year Spring Semester:
  • CHEM 0320 Organic Chemistry 2 3 credits
  • CHEM 0345 Organic Chemistry lab 2 credits
  • MATH 0220 Calculus 1 4 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 9
  • Total credits = 15

Third Year

• Third Year Fall Semester:
  • BIOSC 1000 Biochemistry 3 credits
  • STAT 1000 Applied Statistics 4 credits
  • PHYS 0110/0174 Physics 1 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 10
  • Total credits = 15
• Third Year Spring Semester:
  • BIOSC 1275 Genomics 3 credits
  • BIOSC elective lab 1 credit
  • PHYS 0111/0175 Physics 2 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Wildcard 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 7
  • Total credits = 16

Fourth Year

• Fourth Year Fall Semester:
  • BIOSC 1940 Molecular Biology 3 credits
  • BIOSC 1950 Molecular Biology lab 2 credits
  • BIOSC elective 1 3 credits
  • Gen ed 3 credits
  • Wildcard 3 credits
  • Wildcard 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 8
  • Total credits = 17
• Fourth Year Spring Semester:
  • BIOSC 1945 Adv Molecular Biology 3 credits (Spring only)
  • BIOSC elective 2 3 credits
  • BIOSC 1562 Molecular Biology Seminar 1 credit (Spring only)
  • BIOSC 1563 Molecular Biology Writing Practicum 1 credit (Spring only)
  • Wildcard 3 credits
  • Wildcard 3 credits
  • STEM credits = 8
  • Total credits = 14

Careers

• What can you do with a Molecular Biology major?
• Molecular Biology Career Information

Related Majors

• Biological Sciences
• Biochemistry Major
• Computational Biology Major
• Ecology and Evolution Major
• Microbiology Major
• Molecular Biology Major