2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Requirements
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 (3 credits)
- BIO 376 - Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences I (5 credits)
- CHM 242 - Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences II (4 credits)
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry (3 credits)
- CMB 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits) OR BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CMB 156 - Discoveries in Cell and Molecular Biology: A Research-based Laboratory Course (1 credit)
- CMB 250 - Introduction to Biotechnology (4 credits)
- CMB 451 - 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)
- CMB 409 - Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit)
- CMB 426 - Research Applications in Molecular Genetics (4 credits)
- CMB 495 - Perspectives in Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
2. Major Course Requirements
Math/Physics Sequences
Option A
Requires 13 credits, including:
- MTH 125 - Survey of Calculus (3 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
Option B
Requires 18 credits, including:
- 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
Option B
3. Electives
With the required courses listed previously, 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 (4 credits)
- BIO 403 - Plant Structure and Function (4 credits)
- BIO 416 - Advanced Genetics Laboratory (2 credits)
- BIO 422 - Animal Developmental Biology (3 credits)
- BIO 423 - Plant Biotechnology (3 credits)
- BIO 432 - Comparative Animal Physiology (4 credits)
- BMS 208 - Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BMS 212 - Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- BMS 213 - Laboratory in Microbiology (1 credit)
- BMS 290 - Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 391 - Laboratory in Human Physiology (2 credits)
- BMS 310 - Basic Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- BMS 311 - Pharmacological Aspects of Biomedical Sciences (3 credits)
- BMS 312 - Bacterial Genetics (3 credits)
- BMS 313 - Bacterial Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
- BMS 410 - Immunology (3 credits)
- BMS 422 - Bacterial Physiology (3 credits)
- BMS 423 - Bacterial Physiology Laboratory (2 credits)
- BMS 427 - Neuroanatomy (1 credit)
- BMS 428 - Neurosciences (3 credits)
- BMS 431 - Medical Virology (3 credits)
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 463 - Biochemistry II (3 credits)
- CMB 321 - Designing Our Future: Babies, Food, Medicine, and Biotechnology (3 credits)
- CMB 411 - Genetics of Development and Cancer (3 credits)
- CMB 414 - Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)
- CMB 440 - Research Applications in Drosophila Genomics (3 credits)
- CMB 452 - Computer Modeling and Drug Design (3 credits)
- CMB 499 - Research in Cell and Molecular Biology (1 to 3 credits)
- PHY 320 - Optics (3 credits)
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
- 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 and Molecular Biology: A Research-based Laboratory Course (1 credit)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
Year Two
- 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 (1 credit)
Year Three
- CMB elective
- General education course
- CMB 405 - Cell and Molecular Biology (4 credits)
- CMB 406 - Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory (2 credits)
- CMB 451 - Bioinformatics: Tools and Techniques for Life Scientists (3 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)
Year Four
- Three CMB electives
- Three general education courses
- CMB 426 - Research Applications in Molecular Genetics (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)