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 253, MCB 354 MCB 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 | ||
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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
school website: https://mcb.illinois.edu/undergrad/
school faculty: School Faculty
advising:MCB advising
email: advising@mcb.illinois.edu
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
college website: https://las.illinois.edu/