Molecular Biology Major

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 , or BIOL 042L KS  
• CHEM 014L KS -CHEM 015L KS   (or CHEM 029L KS ), or CHEM 042L KS  
• MATH 031 PZ -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  
• 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 -Ppls Phys Chem: Thermochemistry  I, (Thermodynamics)
• One additional Biology lab course to be selected in consultation with the faculty advisor.

BIOL 188L KS -BIOL 190L KS , two-semester thesis with lab (preferred), or BIOL189L KS-BIOL190L KS, two-semester summer research thesis, or BIOL 191 KS -One-Semester Thesis in Biology .

Note: Students interested in a combined major in Molecular Biology should instead pursue a combined major in Biology.