Molecular & Cellular Biology: Honors, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Honors Concentration
The Molecular and Cellular Biology Honors Concentration is designed for students whose preparation and interests motivate them to desire a more intensive undergraduate biology experience and to prepare for graduate or professional school. The MCB Honors Concentration is based on the MCB concentration. Students must satisfy all of the requirements for the MCB concentration in addition to the requirements for the MCB Honors Concentration. Students interested in the MCB Honors Concentration should contact the MCB Honors Concentration coordinator during the freshman year for more information.
Undergraduate degree programs in Molecular & Cellular Biology
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Honors Concentration
Certain advanced courses may be taken prior to completion of the MCB 250 MCB 250 MCB 250MCB 250-MCB 253, MCB 354 MCB 354 MCB 354MCB 354 sequence with permission of an academic advisor. A minimum of 15 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in MCB from the approved list is required.
In addition, undergraduate research (MCB 290, or departmental equivalent) is strongly recommended for students planning to go to graduate school. No more than 10 hours of MCB 290, or departmental equivalent credit may be counted towards the 120 hours required for a degree in MCB.
Students earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not also earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry.
Students earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not double major in Integrative Biology.
Distinction
Students in MCB can qualify for Distinction via one of the following:
Distinction for Excellence in Research:
To be eligible for graduation with Distinction a student must:
Complete 3 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator.
To be eligible for graduation with High Distinction a student must:
Complete 2 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Complete 1 semester of MCB 492 for 3 credit hours or more. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator. Submit a written thesis that is approved by the Distinction Committee.
To be eligible for graduation with Highest Distinction a student must:
Complete 2 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Complete 1 semester MCB 492 for 3 credit hours or more. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.90 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator. Submit a written thesis that is approved by the Distinction Committee. Distinction for Excellence in Academics:
To be eligible for graduation with Academic Distinction a student must:
Maintain a major GPA of 3.90 or higher in the MCB major (biology, chemistry, physics and math courses for the MCB major) at the end of their penultimate semester.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: 67-71 hours, including 21 hours of 300- or 400-level courses; 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 220 | Calculus | 4-5 |
| or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| or STAT 212 | Biostatistics | |
| Select one group of courses: | 8-10 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I and General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | ||
| Accelerated Chemistry I and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I and Accelerated Chemistry II and Accelerated Chemistry Lab II | ||
| CHEM 232 | Elementary Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 233 | Elementary Organic Chem Lab I | 2 |
| Select one group of courses: | 10-12 | |
| College Physics: Mech & Heat and College Physics: E&M & Modern | ||
| University Physics: Mechanics and University Physics: Elec & Mag and Univ Physics: Thermal Physics and Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | ||
| IB 150 | Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | 4 |
| MCB 150 | Molec & Cellular Basis of Life | 4 |
| MCB 250 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 251 | Exp Techniqs in Molecular Biol | 2 |
| MCB 252 | Cells, Tissues & Development | 3 |
| MCB 253 | Exp Techniqs in Cellular Biol | 2 |
| MCB 354 | Biochem & Phys Basis of Life | 3 |
| At least four additional courses at the 300- to 400-level from the Approved List of Advanced Courses for MCB Majors are also required, including one lab course. | 15-16 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 5 honors discussion sections in consecutive order: | ||
| MCB 297 | MCB Honors Discussion (Section A) | 1 |
| MCB 297 | MCB Honors Discussion (Section B) | 1 |
| MCB 297 | MCB Honors Discussion (Section C) | 1 |
| MCB 298 | MCB Honors Lab Discussion (Section A) | 1 |
| MCB 298 | MCB Honors Lab Discussion (Section B) | 1 |
| Complete 4 or more additional MCB Honors Option courses 1 | ||
- 1
Students must consult the Honors Coordinator about MCB Honors Option courses. Only MCB 290 may be repeated, to a maximum of twice, although continuing 290 beyond two semesters is encouraged.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Honors Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free elective course | 1 | IB 150 | 4 |
| MCB 150 | 4 | CHEM 104 or 204 | 3 |
| CHEM 102 or 202 | 3 | CHEM 105 or 205 | 1 |
| CHEM 103 or 203 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| MATH 220 (or MATH 221) or Composition I) | 5 | Composition I or MATH 220 (or MATH 221) | 4 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MCB 250 | 3 | MCB 252 | 3 |
| MCB 251 | 2 | MCB 253 | 2 |
| CHEM 232 | 4 | STAT 212 | 3 |
| MCB 297 (Section A) | 1 | CHEM 233 | 2 |
| MCB 298 (Section A) | 1 | MCB 297 (Section B) | 1 |
| General Education course | 4 | MCB 298 (Section B) | 1 |
| Language other than English (3rd level) course | 4 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MCB 354 | 3 | Advanced MCB course | 3 |
| MCB 297 (Section C) | 1 | PHYS 102 or 212 | 5 |
| PHYS 101 or 211 | 5 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Language other than English (4th level) course | 4 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Advanced MCB Course | 3 | Advanced MCB Course | 4 |
| Advanced MCB Lab Course | 2 | Advanced MCB Course | 3 |
| MCB 292 (or approved MCB Honors Elective) | 2 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course or PHYS 213 | 2 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course or PHYS 214 | 2 | MCB 492 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Honors Concentration
School of Molecular & Cellular Biology website
School Faculty
MCB advising
MCB advising email
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
College Liberal Arts and Sciences website