Cellular/Molecular Biology Concentration, Bachelor of Science - CELL

Major Requirements  (60 hours)

Thirty-seven (37) hours must be in biology.

Required
BIO 155
& 155L		Foundations of Molecular Biology
and Foundations of Molecular Biology Laboratory		2
BIO 156
& 156L		Foundations of Ecology and Evolution
and Foundations of Ecology and Evolution Laboratory (l)		2
BIO 157
& 157L		Foundations of Cellular Biology
and Foundations of Cellular Biology Laboratory		2
BIO 158
& 158L		Foundations of Form and Function
and Foundations of Cellular Biology Laboratory		2
BIO 221
& 221L		Introduction to Genetics
and Introduction to Genetics Laboratory		4
BIO 228
& 228L		General Physiology
and General Physiology Lab		4
BIO 230
& 230L		Molecular Cell Biology
and Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory		4
BIO 317
& 317L		Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory		4
BIO 330Seminar in Molecular/Cellular Biology1
BIO 385Introduction to Research2
BIO 485Research in Biology2
Choose one of the following:4
BIO 331
& 331L
Biotechnology
and Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 416
& 416L
Cellular Physiology
and Cellular Physiology Laboratory
Electives
Select from the following electives to total 37 hours in Biology: 14
BIO 160
Science Writing and Communication
BIO 209
& 209L
Marine Biology
and Marine Biology Lab
BIO 232
& 232L
Animal Behavior
and Animal Behavior Laboratory
BIO 235
& 235L
Foundations of Neuroscience
and Foundations of Neuroscience Laboratory
BIO 240
Cats’ Paws and Catapults: Animal Biomechanics
BIO 248
Issues in Environmental Biology
BIO 270
Environments of Ecuador
BIO 308
& 308L
Vertebrate Natural History
and Vertebrate Natural History Laboratory
BIO 312
Evolution
BIO 315
Statistical Methods for Biologists
BIO 316
& 316L
Conservation Biology
and Conservation Biology Laboratory
BIO 318
Immunology
BIO 321
& 321L
Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy
and Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy Lab
BIO 323
& 323L
Ecology
and Ecology Laboratory
BIO 331
& 331L
Biotechnology
and Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 332
& 332L
Ornithology
and Ornithology Lab
BIO 335
& 335L
Plant-Animal Interactions
and Plant-Animal Interactions Laboratory
BIO 340
Medical Terminology
BIO 410
Pathophysiology
BIO 412
Emerging Infectious Diseases and Their Impact on Global Health
BIO 416
& 416L
Cellular Physiology
and Cellular Physiology Laboratory
BIO 417
Cancer Biology
BIO 497
Independent Study 1
BIO 499
Internship 1
Required Supporting Courses
CHEM 121
& 121L
& CHEM 122
& CHEM 122L		Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory
and Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory		8
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory1
Select one of the following sequences for 2-3 semesters:8
For students who could use College calculus prep to excel in later courses.
MATH 103
Precalculus
For calculus ready students, select one of the following sequences for two semesters. Based on Math Placement Test, Calculus prep, and grad degree plans.
MATH 131
& MATH 132
Calculus I
and Calculus II for STEM majors
MATH 133
& MATH 114
Theory and Application of Calculus
and Introduction to Statistics
MATH 131
& MATH 114
Calculus I
and Introduction to Statistics
MATH 113
& MATH 114
Survey of Calculus
and Introduction to Statistics
Note: Students should take option 1 or 2 if they like Math or are interested in Pharmacy, Optometry, DMD, DDS, MD/DO, DVM, some MS or PhD programs, or pursuing a Major to Chemistry (including Biochemistry), Physics, or Math. Options 3 and 4 are acceptable for MD/DO, PA, PT, OT, DVM, and some Biology MS or PhD programs and most Neurobiology graduate programs.
One of the following to fulfill upper level Research Writing Course:3
BIO 209
Marine Biology
BIO 230
Molecular Cell Biology
BIO 232
Animal Behavior
BIO 316
Conservation Biology
BIO 323
Ecology
BIO 335
Plant-Animal Interactions
Additional math and/or science courses to bring the total to 60 hours if needed
Total Credits60
1

Up to three hours of non-traditional (nt) credits and a maximum of two non-lab courses of three hours each may be counted toward the required elective hours in biology.

Advanced Writing Proficiency

This proficiency is demonstrated by the approval of 4 scientific pieces of writing based on a directed research project. It also includes successful completion of BIO 385 Introduction to Research and BIO 485 Research in Biology.

Senior Comprehensive

The Senior Comprehensive requirement in Biology is fulfilled by successful completion of BIO 385 Introduction to Research and BIO 485 Research in Biology. It also involves completion of a committee-approved paper and an oral presentation to the department.

 Student Learning Outcomes

  • The Saint Mary’s biology major will demonstrate an understanding of basic biological principles. These include but are not limited to concepts related to the diversity of living organisms, the ecological and evolutionary implications of variations in form and function, eukaryotic cell structure, and functional aspects of the eukaryotic cell.
  • The Saint Mary’s biology major will be able to explain the genetic basis for variation among living organisms, the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic expression, and the patterns of inheritance as a result of genetic crosses.
  • The Saint Mary’s biology major will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of cellular and molecular function.
  • The Saint Mary’s biology major will be able to explain how cellular and molecular mechanisms influence the whole organism.
  • The Saint Mary’s biology major will complete all learning objectives associated with the Senior Comprehensive.