The Department of Biological Sciences offers a five-year master's degree program in molecular and cell biology (non-thesis). Upon satisfactory completion of all of the undergraduate curriculum requirements, students receive a bachelor of science in biology. Students complete graduate-level biology courses during their senior year. A maximum of 9 credits may be used to fulfill both undergraduate and graduate requirements. Students earn the MS in molecular and cell bilogy upon satisfactory completion of all of the graduate curriculum requirements.
The MS degree in molecular and cell biology provides an excellent foundation for students who intend to pursue studies in professional health care fields and doctoral programs. It also offers a competitive edge for students who plan to pursue a career in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries.
Learn more about the graduate program in molecular and cell biology.
Students who choose to pursue the five-year master's degree in molecular and cell biology are required to complete the following courses by the end of their junior year:
- PHY 110/110L and PHY 111/111L
- BIO 282/282L and BIO 346/346L
- CHE 315/315L
Recommended Curriculum
| Fall Semester, First Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 150/150L |
General Biology I with lab (for majors) |
4 |
| CHE 110/110L |
General Chemistry I with lab |
4 |
| EN 101 |
Freshman Composition (UC) |
3 |
| MA 141 |
Quantitative Literacy (UC) |
3 |
| QU 101 |
The Individual in the Community |
3 |
|
|
Total: 17 |
| Spring Semester, First Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 151/151L |
Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics (for majors) |
4 |
| CHE 111/111L |
General Chemistry II with lab |
4 |
| EN 102 |
Freshman Composition (UC) |
3 |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
|
|
Total: 14 |
| Fall Semester, Second Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 298 |
Research Methods in Biology |
3 |
| BIO 152/152L |
Ecological & Biological Diversity |
4 |
| CHE 210/210L |
Organic Chemistry I with lab |
4 |
| QU 201 |
Seminar on National Community |
3 |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
|
|
Total: 17 |
| Spring Semester, Second Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO |
Biology elective |
3-4 |
| CHE 211/211L |
Organic Chemistry II with lab |
4 |
| BIO |
Biology elective |
3-4 |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
|
|
Total: 13-15 |
| Fall Semester, Third Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| PHY 110/110L |
General Physics I with lab |
4 |
| BIO 282/282L |
Genetics with lab |
4 |
| CHE 315/315L |
Biochemistry with lab |
4 |
| QU 301 |
QU Seminar |
3 |
|
|
Total: 15 |
| Spring Semester, Third Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| PHY 111/111L |
General Physics with lab |
4 |
| BIO |
Biology elective |
3 |
| BIO 346/346L |
Cell Physiology with lab |
4 |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
|
|
Total: 14 |
| Fall Semester, Fourth Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
| BIO 515 |
Advanced Biochemistry |
4 |
| BIO |
Molecular & Cell Biology |
|
|
Graduate elective |
3 |
|
Open elective |
3 |
|
Open elective |
3 |
|
|
Total: 16 |
| Spring Semester, Fourth Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
| UC |
University Curriculum |
3 |
| BIO |
Molecular & Cell Biology graduate elective |
3 |
|
Open elective |
3 |
|
Open elective |
3 |
|
|
Total: 15 |
| Fall Semester, Fifth Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 606 |
Protein Methods Laboratory |
4 |
| BIO 571 |
Molecular Genetics |
4 |
| BIO |
Molecular & Cell Biology graduate elective |
3 |
|
|
Total: 11 |
| Spring Semester, Fifth Year |
|
|
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIO 605 |
DNA Methods Laboratory |
4 |
| BIO 568 |
Molecular & Cell Biology |
4 |
| BIO |
Molecular & Cell Biology graduate elective |
3 |
| BIO 675 |
Comprehensive Exam |
2 |
|
|
Total: 13 |
