B.S. Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology
Description
This is a broad and flexible degree is designed to prepare students for careers in cellular and molecular biology. With this degree, students can pursue careers in agriculture and food, ecotoxicology, genes and gene expression, physiological functions, ecological interactions and evolutionary phylogeny, disease and pathology, and preparation for advanced study and careers in research. To receive the B.S. Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits is required for this degree, which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core (42 credits).
Student Learning Outcomes
- Understand fundamental biological concepts at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels.
- Recognize evolution by natural selection as a unifying theme across biological disciplines.
- Demonstrate competence in general lab and field skills and be introduced to discipline-specific skills and their professional applications.
- Apply critical thinking skills and quantitative tools to evaluate biological information.
- Practice effective oral and written communication of scientific ideas in the manner of professional biologists.
- Acquire basic research skills in introductory courses and refine these skills in advanced courses including independent research.
- Recognize the value of multicultural and ethical perspectives in the advancement and application of science in human society.
Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required
Core Requirements
( 28 credits )
Students must take the lecture and lab together for Organismal Biology and Cell Biology.
BIOL 111 Cell Biology (4)
BIOL 115 Organismal Biology (4)
BIOL 275 Quantitative Biology (4)
BIOL 341 Genetics (4)
BIOL 350 Microbiology (4)
BIOL 385 Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 385L Molecular Biology Lab (1)
BIOL 478 Research Design (WI) (3)
BIOL 497 Research in Biology (1)
Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
One course from the following:
BIOL 348 - Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 365 - Developmental Biology
BIOL 372 - Aquatic Biology
BIOL 430 - Immunobiology
Related Requirements
( 27 credits )
Students must complete at least three credits in mathematics at the level of MATH 142 or above. Students must complete General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I and Biochemistry I and their corresponding labs. Students may choose from College Physics I and II OR General Physics I and II.
CHEM 150/CHEM 150L General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
CHEM 210/CHEM 210L General Chemistry II and Lab (4)
CHEM 350/CHEM 355 Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4)
CHEM 400/CHEM 405 Biochemistry I and Lab (4)
PHYS 160 College Physics I with Lab (4) and
PHYS 161 College Physics II with Lab (4)
OR
PHYS 200 General Physics I with Lab (4) and
PHYS 201 General Physics II with Lab (4)
One math course > MATH 142 (3-5)
Restricted Electives
( 16-19 credits )
At least two courses in cellular and molecular biology
BIOL 311 Neurobiology (4)
BIOL 347 Plant Physiology (4)
BIOL 349 Human Physiology (4)
BIOL 360 Cellular and Molecular Physiology (4)
BIOL 365 Developmental Biology (WI) (4)
BIOL 430 Immunobiology (WI) (3)
BIOL 438 Medical Microbiology (3)
At least one biotechniques course
BCBT 461 Nucleic Acids & Informatics (3)
BCBT 462 Cell Culture and Immunochemistry (3)
BCBT 463 Proteomics & Advanced Chromatography (3)
At least one advanced course in organismal, population or ecosystem biology
BIOL 305 Botany (4)
BIOL 308 Pacific Northwest (3)
BIOL 321 Invertebrate Zoology (3)
BIOL 322 Vertebrate Zoology (4)
BIOL 326 Minnesota Plant Identification (4)
BIOL 335 Tropical Conservation Biology (3)
BIOL 345 Principles of Ecology (4)
BIOL 348 Evolutionary Biology (WI) (3)
BIOL 372 Aquatic Biology (WI) (4)
BIOL 402 Principles of Animal Behavior (3)
BIOL 455 Wildlife Ecology (4)
Recommended Electives
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 365 Organic Chemistry II Lab
MATH 261 Calculus I
MATH 262 Calculus II