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Degrees and Requirements

Molecular Biology

To complete a minor in molecular biology, a minimum of 24 credits must be taken in biology. The student can expect to take three academic years to complete the minor because many upper level biology courses are offered on a two-year cycle.

Note: Prerequisites for Molecular Biology and Laboratory include General and Organic Chemistry (CHEM1001, CHEM1002, CHEM1003, CHEM1004, CHEM2015 or permission of instructor).

Summary of Requirements

Required Courses: 12 credits

  • BIOL1003
    GENERAL BIOLOGY I

    BIOL1003
    GENERAL BIOLOGY I

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    A presentation of a comprehensive survey of the major area within modern biology with emphasis placed on unsolved problems and the nature of scientific evidence. The course explores the properties of living matter on the molecular, cellular and organismic level. Open to all science majors and non-science majors with a strong interest in biology or a professional need.

    PREREQUISITES:

    Concurrent: BIOL1005

  • BIOL1004
    GENERAL BIOLOGY II

    BIOL1004
    GENERAL BIOLOGY II

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL1003 & BIOL1005 COREQUISITE: BIOL1006 A presentation of a comprehensive survey of the major area within modern biology with emphasis placed on unsolved problems and the nature of scientific evidence. The course explores the properties of living matter on the molecular, cellular and organismic level. Open to all science majors and non-science majors with a strong interest in biology or a professional need.

    PREREQUISITES:

    BIOL1003 & BIOL1005, Concurrent: BIOL1006

  • BIOL1005
    GENERAL BIOLOGY I - LAB

    BIOL1005
    GENERAL BIOLOGY I - LAB

    Credits (Min/Max): 1/1

    Selected experiments chosen to emphasize principles presented in the General Biology lecture courses.

    PREREQUISITES:

    coreg: BIOL1003

  • BIOL1006
    GENERAL BIOLOGY II - LAB

    BIOL1006
    GENERAL BIOLOGY II - LAB

    Credits (Min/Max): 1/1

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL1003 & BIOL1005 COREQUISITE: BIOL1004 Selected experiments chosen to emphasize principles presented in the General Biology lecture courses.

    PREREQUISITES:

  • BIOL4030
    MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

    BIOL4030
    MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: CHEM2016L, BIOL1004, BIOL1006, CHEM2016 Molecular Biology is an introduction to the study of selected biological processes from a molecular perspective. Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes will be included. The molecular basis of the biosynthesis of macromolecules, intercellular and intracellular communication, genetics, immunology, infectious diseases and cancer will be discussed.

    PREREQUISITES:

    BIOL1004 & BIOL1006 & CHEM2016 & CHEM2016L

  • BIOL4031
    MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - LAB

    BIOL4031
    MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - LAB

    Credits (Min/Max): 1/1

    Molecular Biology Laboratory is an introduction to current molecular biology techniques including DNA and RNA extraction from cells, recombinant DNA cloning, electrophoresis and nucleic acid hybridizations (Southern blots and Northern blots), polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. A project-based approach will be used. Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes will be studied.

    PREREQUISITES:

Select at least 12 additional credits from the following courses:

  • BIOL2025
    MICROBIOLOGY

    BIOL2025
    MICROBIOLOGY

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL1004 AND BIOL1006 An examination of the morphology and physiology of microorganisms with emphasis on their relationship to their environment. Topics include food, water, soil, industrial, and medical microbiology, microbial genetics, and microbial diversity. The laboratory work introduces the student to both the organisms and the techniques necessary to study them. Lecture and laboratory course.

    PREREQUISITES:

    BIOL1004 & BIOL1006

  • BIOL3013
    GENETICS

    BIOL3013
    GENETICS

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL1004 & BIOL1006 A study of the basic principles of heredity including Mendelian, molecular and population genetics. Topics will include the cellular functions that give rise to inherited traits, the genetic basis for evolution, the role of genetics in biotechnology, and the statistical basis for predicting the probability of inheriting certain traits.

    PREREQUISITES:

    BIOL1004 & BIOL1006

  • BIOL3014
    GENETICS - LAB

    BIOL3014
    GENETICS - LAB

    Credits (Min/Max): 1/1

    Selected experiments will emphasize the principles presented in the lecture course.

    PREREQUISITES:

  • BIOL3026
    CELL BIOLOGY

    BIOL3026
    CELL BIOLOGY

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL1004 AND BIOL1006 A survey course in cell biology. The ultra structure of the Eukaryotic plant and animal cell are examined and related to cell function. Special emphasis is placed on membrane structure and functions.

    PREREQUISITES:

    BIOL1004 & BIOL1006

  • BIOL3036
    BIOCHEMISTRY I (CHEM3036)

    BIOL3036
    BIOCHEMISTRY I (CHEM3036)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: CHEM2015L AND CHEM2015 An introduction to the biochemical metabolism of the living cell. Cellular structure, macromolecules, metabolic pathways, energy transformations, regulatory mechanisms and molecular genetics are discussed. Cross-listed with CHEM3036

    PREREQUISITES:

    CHEM2015

  • BIOL3037
    BIOCHEMISTRY I - LAB (CHEM3037)

    BIOL3037
    BIOCHEMISTRY I - LAB (CHEM3037)

    Credits (Min/Max): 1/1

    An introduction to current biochemical techniques including thin layer and column and gas chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and DNA technology.Cross-listed with CHEM3037

    PREREQUISITES:

  • BIOL3038
    BIOCHEMISTRY II (CHEM3038)

    BIOL3038
    BIOCHEMISTRY II (CHEM3038)

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    A continuation of BIOL3036. The course covers advanced aspects of macromolecular structure, regulatory enzymes, intermediary metabolism (to include photosynthesis, biological oxidation and the chemosmotic theory, metabolic control mechanisms), signal transduction and hormonal regulation of metabolism, and molecular aspects of the nucleic acids and genetic engineering.Cross-listed with CHEM3038

    PREREQUISITES:

  • BIOL4019
    IMMUNOLOGY

    BIOL4019
    IMMUNOLOGY

    Credits (Min/Max): 3/3

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL1004, CHEM2004, BIOL1006 This course involves the description and development of the immune system, which includes the chemical, molecular, and cellular basis of immune reactions. The genetic and chemical control of the immune response is a recurrent theme of the course. Major topics covered in the course include specific immunities, types of hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, transplantation and rejection and immune disorders and deficiencies.

    PREREQUISITES:

    BIOL1004 & BIOL1006 & CHEM1002

  • BIOL4020
    IMMUNOLOGY - LAB

    BIOL4020
    IMMUNOLOGY - LAB

    Credits (Min/Max): 1/1

    PREREQUISITE: BIOL4019 This course introduces laboratory techniques in immunology.

    PREREQUISITES: