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 Curriculum.
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 (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 )
Math (one course) > MATH 142 (3-5)
Chemistry (16 credits)
CHEM 150/CHEM 150L General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 210/CHEM 210L General Chemistry II (4)
*CHEM 275 can be taken in place of either CHEM 150L or CHEM 210L
CHEM 350/CHEM 355 Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4)
CHEM 400/CHEM 405 Biochemistry I and Lab (4)
Physics (8 credits)
PHYS 160 Physics I with Algebra & Lab (4) and PHYS 161 Physics II with Algebra & Lab (4) OR
PHYS 200 Physics I with Calculus & Lab (4) and PHYS 201 Physics II with Calculus & Lab (4)
Restricted Electives
( 13-16 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 (4)
BIOL 430 Immunobiology (4)
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)
BCBT 464 Histology and Detection (3)
At least one advanced course in organismal, population or ecosystem biology:
BIOL 305 Botany (4)
BIOL 308 Pacific Northwest Ecology (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 (3)
BIOL 372 Aquatic Biology (4)
BIOL 402 Principles of Animal Behavior (3)
BIOL 455 Wildlife Ecology (4)
Recommended Electives
BIOL 323 Human Anatomy
BIOL 469 Internship
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 365 Organic Chemistry II Lab
MATH 261 Calculus I
MATH 262 Calculus II