Cellular and Molecular Biology (BS)
Program Description
The Cellular and Molecular Biology program is intended for students interested in pursuing a career or postgraduate training in cellular biology, developmental biology, genetics, microbiology or molecular biology. This major prepares you for careers such as biomedical or cellular molecular biology research, clinical microbiology, medical or agricultural biotechnology, medicine or genetic counseling.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Cellular and Molecular Biology (BS)
97 Credits Minimum, Including 26 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Core Requirements | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| BIO 3899 | Scientific Literature | 1 |
| BIO 3351 | General Microbiology 1 | 5 |
| or BIO 4419 | Medical Virology | |
| BIO 4325 | Molecular Biology | 5 |
| BIO 4352 | Cell Biology | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 36 | |
| Biology Electives | ||
| Select ten credits of the following: 2 | 10 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Principles of Development | ||
| Evolutionary Mechanisms | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Biodiversity: Parasites and Pests | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Required Supporting Courses | ||
| BIO 4360 | Biostatistics | 5 |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHM 1213 | General Chemistry III | 3 |
| CHM 3371 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM 3372 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHM 3373 | Organic Chemistry III | 5 |
| CHM 4361 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| CHM 4362 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 48 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| Select one of the following Groups: | 3 | |
| Group A: | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Group B: | ||
| Biological Research Proposal | ||
| Biological Research | ||
| Section Credits Required | 3 | |
| Recommended Courses | ||
| Inorganic Qualitative Analysis | ||
| Survey of Calculus | ||
or MAT 1234 | Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Select one of the following Groups: | ||
| Group A: | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| Group B: | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Section Credits Required | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 97 | |
- 1
BIO 3351 General Microbiology or BIO 4419 Medical Virology may count as Biology Elective if not used in Core.
- 2
At least 5 cr. must include lab/field.
Additional Requirements and Information
- Max 6 credits from BIO 4900-4999 may be applied to major.
Suggested Course Sequence
This suggested course sequence is a potential plan for how to complete the major within four years. Please consult with a departmental faculty advisor for course advisement.
- Students should take the Chemistry Placement test (available in Canvas) prior to New Student Advising.
- A Chemistry Placement score >35 is a pre-requisite for BIO 2101 General Biology and CHM 1211 General Chemistry I.
- Students who score <35 on the Chemistry Placement test, or who would benefit from an introduction to Chemistry, should take CHM 1000 Preparation for General Chemistry in Autumn quarter, then take BIO 2101 General Biology and CHM 1211 General Chemistry I in Winter quarter.
- Students interested in careers in the health sciences should take PPHS 1200 Introduction to the Health Professions and PPHS 3400 Application Workshop. See Pre-Professional Health Sciences program website for more information.
Four-Year Plan: >35 on Chemistry Placement Test
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology 1 | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| PPHS 1200 | Introduction to the Health Professions | 1 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1213 | General Chemistry III | 3 |
| CHM 2213 | Inorganic Qualitative Analysis 2 | 2 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 3371 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
| PHY 1101/1121 | General Physics | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 3372 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
| PHY 1102/1122 | General Physics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHM 3373 | Organic Chemistry III | 5 |
| PHY 1103/1123 | General Physics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| MAT 1221 or MAT 1234 |
Survey of Calculus 3 or Calculus I |
5 |
| BIO 4978 & BIO 4979 |
Biological Research Proposal and Biological Research (in years 2 - 4) 4 |
3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| CHM 4361 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Autumn or Winter | ||
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 4362 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| BIO 4360 | Biostatistics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3351 or BIO 4419 |
General Microbiology 5 or Medical Virology |
5 |
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 5 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| BIO 3899 | Scientific Literature | 1 |
| Select five credits of elective courses from the following: (in years 3 - 4) | 5 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Principles of Development | ||
| Evolutionary Mechanisms | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Medical Virology 5 | ||
| Biodiversity: Parasites and Pests | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics 4 | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4325 | Molecular Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 4352 | Cell Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 134 | |
- 1
Students who test at Math Placement Level B and who either score > on the Chemistry Placement Test or transfer in the complete General Chemistry sequence may take BIO 2103 General Biology in Autumn 2024.
- 2
CHM 2213 Inorganic Qualitative Analysis may be required by some graduate programs.
- 3
Take Calculus Placement Test in Canvas first. MAT 1221 Survey of Calculus or MAT 1234 Calculus I are typically required by many graduate programs. MAT 1235 Calculus II may be required by some graduate programs.
- 4
Research (BIO 4978 Biological Research Proposal & BIO 4979 Biological Research) or BIO 4615 Bioethics will satisfy the Capstone Experience requirement.
- 5
BIO 4419 Medical Virology is typically offered in winter quarter; it may not count for both the General Core and Biology Electives categories.
Freshman Notes
- Take Math Placement Test (in Canvas) if you are at Math Level 0 or A at time of admission.
- Math Level B is a prerequisite for BIO 2102 General Biology, BIO 2103 General Biology, CHM 1212 General Chemistry II and MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences.
- Students who test into Level 0 or A should plan to take MAT 0144 College Readiness Math I and/or MAT 0145 College Readiness Math II to achieve Math Level B.
Sophomore Notes
- MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences is a pre-requisite for BIO 3325 Genetics and BIO 4360 Biostatistics.
- Physics (either 110x series or 112x series) is recommended for most graduate programs.
Junior Notes
- BIO 3325 Genetics is offered both Autumn and Winter. It is a pre-requisite for BIO 4325 Molecular Biology (only offered in Winter) and BIO 4352 Cell Biology (only offered in Spring.
Senior Notes
- Check the time schedule, as most upper division courses are offered only in certain quarters.
Four-Year Plan: <35 on Chemistry Placement Test
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| CHM 1000 | Preparation for General Chemistry | 2 |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 2101 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| PPHS 1200 | Introduction to the Health Professions | 1 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 2102 | General Biology | 5 |
| CHM 1212 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| BIO 2103 | General Biology | 5 |
| PHY 1101/1121 | General Physics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Winter | ||
| PHY 1102/1122 | General Physics | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHM 1213 | General Chemistry III | 3 |
| CHM 2213 | Inorganic Qualitative Analysis 1 | 2 |
| PHY 1103/1123 | General Physics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| MAT 2360 | Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences | 5 |
| MAT 1221 or MAT 1234 |
Survey of Calculus 2 or Calculus I |
5 |
| BIO 4978 & BIO 4979 |
Biological Research Proposal and Biological Research (in years 2 - 4) 3 |
3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| CHM 3371 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Autumn or Winter | ||
| BIO 3325 | Genetics | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| CHM 3372 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 |
| BIO 4360 | Biostatistics | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 3351 or BIO 4419 |
General Microbiology 4 or Medical Virology |
5 |
| CHM 3373 | Organic Chemistry III | 5 |
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| BIO 3899 | Scientific Literature | 1 |
| Select 5 credits of elective courses from the following: (in years 3 - 4) | 5 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Biodiversity: Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Principles of Development | ||
| Evolutionary Mechanisms | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Neurobiology | ||
| Medical Virology 4 | ||
| Biodiversity: Parasites and Pests | ||
| Marine Botany | ||
| Chemical Ecology | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| CHM 4361 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| BIO 4615 | Bioethics 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Winter | ||
| BIO 4325 | Molecular Biology | 5 |
| CHM 4362 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIO 4352 | Cell Biology | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 136 | |
- 1
CHM 2213 Inorganic Qualitative Analysis may be recommended by some graduate programs.
- 2
Take Calculus Placement Test in Canvas first. MAT 1221 Survey of Calculus or MAT 1234 Calculus I are typically required by many graduate programs. MAT 1235 Calculus II may be required by some graduate programs.
- 3
Research (BIO 4978 Biological Research Proposal & BIO 4979 Biological Research) or BIO 4615 Bioethics will satisfy the Capstone Experience Requirement.
- 4
BIO 4419 Medical Virology is typically offered in winter quarter; it may not count for both the General Core and Biology Electives categories.
Freshman Notes
- Take Math Placement Test (in Canvas) if you are at Math Level 0 or A at time of admission.
- Math Level B is a prerequisite for BIO 2102 General Biology, BIO 2103 General Biology, CHM 1212 General Chemistry II and MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences.
- Students who test into Level 0 or A should plan to take MAT 0144 College Readiness Math I and/or MAT 0145 College Readiness Math II to achieve Math Level B.
- BIO 2102 General Biology and BIO 2103 General Biology can be take in either order.
Sophomore Notes
- MAT 2360 Introduction to Statistics for the Sciences is a pre-requisite for BIO 3325 Genetics and BIO 4360 Biostatistics.
- Physics (either 110x series or 112x series) is recommended for most graduate programs.