Molecular Biology Major

Requirements for the Major

This interdisciplinary major is focused on biology and the physical sciences and incorporates a significant amount of mathematics. The major is research oriented and is designed to prepare students for graduate studies or medical school, as well as careers in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. For further information, consult with the molecular biology faculty, Professors Armstrong, Edwalds-Gilbert, Tang, or Wiley.

Learning Outcomes of the Program in Molecular Biology

Students completing a major in Molecular Biology should demonstrate the ability to:

1. Understand foundational scientific principles and findings in current molecular biology.
2. Discuss and analyze original scientific research articles in molecular biology.
3. Interpret data, including identification of control versus experimental samples.
4. Design controlled experiments to test specific hypotheses.

Courses required for the Molecular Biology major:

• BIOL 043L KS 
• CHEM 014L KS -CHEM 015L KS   (or CHEM 029L KS ), or both semesters of the AISS course
• Calculus II
• BIOL 143 KS - Genetics 
• CHEM 116L KS -CHEM 117L KS  (Organic)
• BIOL 173L KS  (½ credit sophomore Molecular Biology Seminar/Lab course)
• PHYS 033L KS -PHYS 034L KS  (recommended) or PHYS 030L KS -PHYS 031L KS , or both semesters of the AISS course
• BIOL 157L KS - Cell Biology  (with BIOL 143 KS  as prerequisite or permission of instructor)
• BIOL 170L KS - Molecular Biology  (with BIOL 143 KS  as prerequisite or permission of instructor)
• BIOL 177 KS - Biochemistry 
• CHEM 121 KS - Principles of Physical Chemistry  I, (Thermodynamics)
• One additional lab course from a defined set of electives or other approved electives

BIOL 188L KS -BIOL 190L KS , two-semester thesis with lab (preferred), or BIOL 191 KS - One-Semester Thesis in Biology .