2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Requirements for a Major in Cell and Molecular Biology
- 2. Major Course Requirements
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Cell and Molecular Biology
Requirements for a Major in Cell and Molecular Biology
1. Core Courses
All students majoring in cell and molecular biology must complete the following core courses, for a total of 56 credits:
- BIO 375 - Genetics Credits: 3
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory Credits: 1
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I Credits: 5
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II Credits: 4
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry Credits: 3
- CMB 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits) OR BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- CMB 156 - Discoveries in Cell & Molecular Biology: A Research-Based Laboratory Course Credits: 1
- CMB 250 - Introduction to Biotechnology Credits: 4
- CMB 351 - Bioinformatics: Tools and Techniques for Life Scientists Credits: 3
- CMB 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
- CMB 406 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory Credits: 2
- CMB 409 - Responsible Conduct of Research Credits: 1
- CMB 426 - Research Applications in Nucleic Acids Credits: 4
- CMB 495 - Perspectives in Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 3
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
2. Major Course Requirements
Math/Physics Sequences
Option A: (13 credits)
- MTH 125 - Survey of Calculus (3 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
Option B: (18 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits)
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
Independent Research Experience
A choice between an independent research experience at a private industry or research lab or at Grand Valley State University. Choose one of the options that follow:
Option A
- CMB 490 - Internship Credits: 3
Option B
3. Electives
With the required courses listed above, most students will need additional credits to satisfy the 120-credit hour baccalaureate degree requirement. These additional credits will be comprised of electives. The elective credits are unrestricted; students may choose whatever elective courses they wish. For those students who desire more science in their CMB curriculum, the following is a list of suggested electives.
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology Credits: 4
- BIO 403 - Plant Structure and Function Credits: 4
- BIO 411 - Genetics of Development and Cancer Credits: 3
- BIO 414 - Molecular Biology of the Gene Credits: 3
- BIO 416 - Advanced Genetics Laboratory Credits: 2
- BIO 422 - Embryology Credits: 3
- BIO 423 - Plant Biotechnology Credits: 3
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology Credits: 4
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy Credits: 3
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology Credits: 1
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology Credits: 3
- BMS 291 - Laboratory in Human Physiology Credits: 1
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology Credits: 3
- BMS 311 - Pharmacological Aspects of Biomedical Sciences Credits: 3
- BMS 312 - Bacterial Genetics Credits: 3
- BMS 313 - Bacterial Genetics Laboratory Credits: 1
- BMS 422 - Bacterial Physiology Credits: 3
- BMS 423 - Bacterial Physiology Laboratory Credits: 2
- BMS 427 - Neuroanatomy Credits: 1
- BMS 428 - Neurosciences Credits: 3
- BMS 410 - Immunology Credits: 3
- BMS 411 - Immunology Laboratory Credits: 1
- BMS 431 - Medical Virology Credits: 3
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 463 - Biochemistry II Credits: 3
- CMB 321 - Designing Our Future: Babies, Food, Medicine, and Biotechnology Credits: 3
- CMB 411 - Genetics of Development and Cancer Credits: 3
- CMB 414 - Molecular Biology of the Gene Credits: 3
- CMB 440 - Research Applications in Drosophila Genomics Credits: 3
- CMB 452 - Computer Modeling of Biomolecules Credits: 3
- CMB 499 - Research in Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 1 to 3
- PHY 320 - Optics Credits: 3
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Cell and Molecular Biology
First Year
- MTH/STA
- Three general education classes
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- CMB 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
- CMB 156 - Discoveries in Cell & Molecular Biology: A Research-Based Laboratory Course (1 credit)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
Second Year
- MTH/STA
- Three general education classes
- BIO 375 - Genetics (3 credits)
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences I (5 credits)
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry For Life Sciences II (4 credits)
- CMB 250 - Introduction to Biotechnology (4 credits)
- CMB 409 - Responsible Conduct of Research Credits: 1
Third Year
- CMB elective
- General education course
- CMB 351 - Bioinformatics: Tools and Techniques for Life Scientists (3 credits)
- CMB 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
- CMB 406 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory (2 credits)
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry (3 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
Fourth Year
- Three CMB electives
- Three general education courses
- CMB 426 - Research Applications in Nucleic Acids (4 credits)
- CMB 495 - Perspectives in Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
- CMB 499 - Research in Cell and Molecular Biology (1 to 3 credits) OR CMB 490 - Internship (1 to 6 credits)