Program Overview

Learn how this degree sets you up for exciting careers in discovery and fast-tracks you for a graduate degree. Molecular and cellular biologists investigate the building blocks of living organisms. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a subplan in Molecular and Cellular Biology take courses in genetics, physics, chemistry and more. They gain hands-on experience in laboratory research through independent study, honors thesis work and capstone experiences. Full-time, paid summer research opportunities with renowned faculty are also available. Plus, the Molecular and Cellular Biology Club provides camaraderie with fellow students. Students can streamline their course planning to achieve both an undergraduate and graduate degree with just five years of study through the Accelerated Master's Program.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern life and apply that understanding to novel scenarios. Including: * how chemical principles govern the activity of life * how cells sense and respond to internal and external cues * how traits are inherited * how molecules, cells, and organisms evolve * how phenotypes emerge from interactions among molecules and cells * how research with model organisms sheds light on all these questions
• Demonstrate understanding of the ways that chemical principles govern the ability of biological molecules to form cellular structures, tissues, organs, and organisms, and the energy transformations that make these steps possible.
• Explain mechanisms and outcomes of the ability of cells to sense and respond to internal and external cues.
• Explain the role of and mechanisms by which the genome and its products generate biological structures and phenotypes, including human disease, including: ¿ Differentiate among replication, transcription, and translation with regard to mechanisms and biological roles. ¿ Analyze mechanisms of inheritance and their consequences for phenotypes. ¿ Differentiate among various types of mutations and predict their outcomes at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level.
• Describe how evolution affects molecules, cells, and organisms and shapes the diversity of life on Earth.
• Explain how the properties of biological systems emerge from the interactions among individual components of those systems.
• Describe ways that research in different experimental organisms sheds light on the important biological processes described above.
• Communicate effectively about scientific ideas and methods. ¿ This includes oral and/or written presentation. ¿ This includes appropriate choice of data-presentation modes (tables, diagrams, graphs, etc.).
• Read and interpret primary scientific literature in cell and molecular biology, linking the results to prior understanding of biological processes. Evaluate the reliability of sources of information about biology.
• Apply analytical thinking to biological problems: ¿ Understand and/or build models that generate testable hypotheses about biological processes. ¿ Critique experimental design in existing research and apply principles of experimental design to new research problems. ¿ Apply quantitative strategies to analyze and understand biological processes.
• Demonstrate ability to analyze the role of biology in societal decisions and to apply ethical decision-making to evaluate existing and new scientific approaches.