Biological Sciences B.S. – Cell and Molecular Biology Emphasis
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Contact: Mitchell E. McGlaughlin, Ph.D., School Director
Location: Ross Hall 2480
Telephone: 970.351.2921
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/biology
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
In accordance with University Policies, coursework earned more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation to UNC may not be used to satisfy any major or minor requirements. Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the academic program. The school's transfer advisor can be reached at 970.351.2921.
The program consists of three parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
This program places emphasis on a thorough understanding of the biological principles underlying all living systems through study of the basic unit of life, the cell. Undergraduates entering this program should have a strong science and mathematics background in high school or be prepared to do additional remedial work.
Students successfully completing this program will be prepared to choose from a widely varied range of careers in the basic or applied biological sciences such as public health, the pharmaceutical industry, cancer research, biodiversity research, forensic biology, animal and plant agricultural sciences, and many others.
Students will also be prepared to continue their education in graduate biological sciences programs (microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, developmental biology, etc.) and in most professional schools (medical, veterinary, etc.). This program encompasses a minor in chemistry.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Program Requirements:
- The State of Colorado has mandated that institutions of higher education assess student outcomes resulting from their college education. The School of Biological Sciences requires that all undergraduate students entering under this Catalog meet the following conditions in addition to meeting the graduation requirements of the University:
- In the senior year of study all undergraduates will take a standardized assessment administered by the School of Biological Sciences to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum.”
- Junior and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher are permitted take 500-level courses. Any 500 level BIO prefix courses will be applied to Biological Science Advanced Study requirements. Consult with faculty advisor to ensure courses are appropriate.
- NOTE: Students completing a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry are exempt from the university policy that a maximum of 12 credit hours can be shared between a major and minor. A student must still complete a minimum of 6 upper-division UNC credits (300-400) or UNC approved Study Abroad credits in the minor.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 95 required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
See “Liberal Arts Curriculum”
Written Communication — 6 credits
SCI 291 is recommended to fulfill Intermediate Written Communication requirement.
Mathematics — 3 credits
MATH 171 is recommended to fulfill Mathematics requirement.
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies, and International Studies — 15 credits
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
BIO 110,
CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L recommended to fulfill Physical & Natural Sciences requirement.
2. Required Major — 95 credits
Take all of the following courses (74 credits):
Biochemistry (4-6 credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Capstone Professional Experience (1 credit)
Take one credit (chosen in consultation with faculty advisor to help match career goals) from:
| BIO 422 | Directed Studies | 1- 3 |
| BIO 492 | Internship in Biological Sciences | 1- 3 |
| BIO 493 | Clinical Internship in Biological Sciences | 1- 3 |
| BIO 494 | Practicum in College Biological Science Instruction | 1- 2 |
Biological Science Advanced Study (14-16 credits)
Choose from BIO-prefix courses at the 300 level or higher to bring your Required Major Credits to 95 total.
Please see course listings in the graduate catalog for additional course options (must be a junior or senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA to take graduate level courses). Consult with faculty advisor to match career goals.
3. University-Wide Credits — 7 credits
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 7 credits.