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Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Molecular and Cellular Biology major provides students with a solid preparation in molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, cellular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and structural biology. Students will also acquire a strong background in chemistry, math and physical sciences. After completion of the core curriculum in MCB, students may complete the required advanced course work by taking a variety of MCB courses or by selecting a more focused group of courses in any of the following areas: biochemistry, cells and tissues, developmental biology, infection and immunity, microbiology, genetics, neurobiology and physiology. The MCB Advising Program (MAP) staff is available to help students plan their combination of advanced courses.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

E-mail address: undergrad@mcb.illinois.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required courses: 67-71 hours, including 21 hours of 300- or 400-level courses; 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

General Education requirements: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Distinction: To be eligible for graduation with distinction a student must graduate with a 3.25 grade point average, and submit a thesis or a paper describing an undergraduate research project for approval by the MCB Distinction Committee by the posted deadline http://mcb.illinois.edu/undergrad/research.html#distinction

Students earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not also earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry.

Students earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not double major in Integrative Biology.

Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration

Certain advanced courses may be taken prior to completion of the MCB 250-253, 354 sequence with permission of an academic advisor. A minimum of 15 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in MCB from the approved list is required.

In addition, undergraduate research (MCB 290 or departmental equivalent) is strongly recommended for students planning to go to graduate school. No more than 10 hours of MCB 290 or departmental equivalent credit may be counted towards the 120 hours required for a degree in MCB.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

Molecular and Cellular Biology Honors Concentration

The Molecular and Cellular Biology Honors Concentration is designed for students whose preparation and interests motivate them to desire a more intensive undergraduate biology experience and to prepare for graduate or professional school. The MCB Honors Concentration is based on the MCB major. Students must satisfy all of the requirements for the MCB major in addition to the requirements for the MCB Honors Concentration. Students interested in the MCB Honors Concentration should contact the MCB Honors Concentration coordinator during the freshman year for more information.

Major in Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry

The typical program of courses required to satisfy this degree totals 126-131 hours as outlined below including up to 12 hours of non-primary language (if not completed in high school);  in no case will a program totaling less than 120 hours qualify for graduation. In addition, in order to graduate there is a minimum 2.0 cumulative academic grade point average and student must attain a 2.5 academic grade point average in the chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and advanced electives in science/engineering courses specified in this curriculum. All proposals for course substitutions must be approved by the academic advisor. This curriculum is intended for those students who desire a rigorous education in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology, who have definite research-oriented goals, and whose career objectives include graduate school, MD/PhD programs, or industry.

E-mail:biocug@life.uiuc.edu

Web address for department: http://mcb.illinois.edu/departments/biochemistry/index.html

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

All students must complete the General education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Students earning the Biochemistry degree automatically complete the Chemistry minor. Students earning a degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry may not earn a second degree in the Science and Letters Curriculum in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Departmental distinction: In addition to meeting the above requirements, a student seeking distinction must satisfy the following:

• Complete 10 hours of BIOC 492.
• Earn at least a 3.25 grade-point average.
• Present a senior thesis to the department.

1. Transfer credit must be approved by an advisor in biochemistry in order to be used to satisfy degree requirements.
2. A more detailed description of the requirements is listed in the Biochemistry Curriculum Handbook, available in room 419A of Roger Adams Laboratory.
3. PHYS 213 is not required if CHEM 442/444 sequence is taken.
4. Freshman orientation course is under development and will be required. See advisor for details.
5. BIOC 290 is strongly recommended.
6. An approved list of current courses will be updated annually in January/February for the coming year. Contact advisor.
7. The requirements for the Campus General Education categories of Natural Sciences and Technology, and Quantitative Reasoning I are fulfilled through coursework in the curriculum.
8. The courses taken to satisfy Western and/or Non-Western Civilization requirements may also be used to satisfy non-technical and/or free elective categories.

Minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology

The minor, administered by the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, is designed to provide students with an understanding of foundational principles of physiology, cellular and developmental biology, microbiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry. A minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology will prepare students for training in medicine and other health sciences, graduate studies in related disciplines, as well as for employment opportunities in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Students must contact an MCB advisor for acceptance into the minor. MCB 150 must be completed or in progress before acceptance into the minor.