The Molecular and Cellular Biology major will provide 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 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 may focus on a particular Area of Emphasis. The initial areas of emphasis offered include Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Microbiology, and Physiology. The Biological Sciences Academic Advising Office will help students plan their combination of advanced courses.
E-mail address: charlesm@uiuc.edu
Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/MCB/F_MCB.shtml
Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required courses: 67-71 hours, including 21 hours of advanced 200-level or 300-level courses; 12 hours of advanced level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
General Education requirements: Completion of the LAS General Education requirements, the Advanced Composition and Western Cultures requirements. All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Distinction: To be eligible for graduation with distinction a student must graduate with a 3.0 grade point average, and submit a thesis or a paper describing an undergraduate research project for approval by the MCB Distinction Committee at least one month before graduation.
Hours Requirements
5 MATH 120-Calculus, I
3 Select one:
MATH 130-Calculus, II
STAT 100-Statistics
8-9 Select one group of courses:
CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and
CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory, and
CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical
Version), and
CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory
or
CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I, and
CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II, and
CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I, and
CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II
5 CHEM 231-Elementary Organic Chemistry
CHEM 234-Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5 BIOL 120-Genetics, Evolution, and Biodiversity
5 BIOL 121-Ecology and Organismic Biology
5 BIOL 122-Molecular and Cellular Biology
10-12 Select one group of courses:
PHYCS 101-General Physics (Mechanics, Heat, and
Sound), and
PHYCS 102-General Physics (Light, Electricity, Magnetism,
and Modern Physics)
or
PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics), and
PHYCS 112-General Physics (Electricity and Magnetism),
and
PHYCS 113-General Physics (Fluids and Thermal Physics),
and
PHYCS 114-General Physics (Waves and Quantum Physics)
4 IB 150-Integrative Biology
4 MCB 150-Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life
3 MCB 250-Molecular Genetics
2 MCB 251-Experimental Molecular Biology
3 MCB 252-Cells, Tissues, and Development
2 MCB 253-Experimental Cell Biology
3 MCB 254-Biochemical and Physical Basis of Life
15-16 At least four additional courses at the 200- or
300-level are also required, including one
laboratory course. A minimum of one course in
Intergrative Biology is required of all majors.
IB 150 will fulfill this requirement.
A more advanced course may be substituted for any of the required supporting courses in MATH, CHEM, STAT, and PHYCS with permission of an academic adviser. An alternative statistics course may be substituted with permission of an academic adviser.
MCB 254 will count for advanced hours in LAS. Certain advanced courses may be taken prior to completion of the MCB 251-254 sequence with permission of an academic adviser. A minimum of 15 hours of 300-level courses in MCB is required.
In addition, undergraduate research (MCB 290 or 299) is strongly recommended for students planning to go to graduate school. No more than 10 hours of MCB 290 or 299 credit may be counted as advanced credit for a degree in MCB.
A total of at least 120 semester hours of course work as outlined below, with a minimum 2.0 academic grade point average required for graduation. In addition, in order to graduate, students must attain a 2.0 average in the chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, and advanced electives in life science courses specified in this curriculum. All proposals for substitutions must be approved by the faculty adviser. This curriculum is intended for those students who desire a rigorous education in chemistry, biochemistry, and the life sciences, but whose career objectives require sufficient flexibility to obtain proficiency in other areas as well.
For information regarding the cooperative education program in the School of Chemical Sciences, see the chemistry major in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum.
mailto:E-mail:inquiry@scs.uiuc.edu
Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/BIOCH/f_BIOCH.shtml
Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
General education: All campus general education requirements must be satisfied.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: In addition to meeting the above requirements, a student seeking distinction must satisfy the following:
a. Complete 10 hours of BIOCH 292.
b. Earn at least a 3.0 grade point average.
c. Present a senior thesis for deposit in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
HOURS REQUIREMENTS1,2
9-11 General chemistry, select one group of courses:
CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I, and
CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II, and
CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I, and
CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II
or
CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and
CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory, and
CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical
Version), and
CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory, and
CHEM 223-Quantitative Analysis Lecture, and
CHEM 224-Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
8-9 Organic chemistry, select one group of courses:
CHEM 236-Fundamental Organic Chemistry, I, and
CHEM 237-Structure and Synthesis, and
CHEM 336-Fundamental Organic Chemistry, II
or
CHEM 231-Elementary Organic Chemistry, and
CHEM 234-Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory,
and
CHEM 331-Organic Chemistry
7-8 Physical chemistry, select one group of courses:
CHEM 340-Principles of Physical Chemistry, and
BIOCH 346-Physical Biochemistry
or
CHEM 342-Physical Chemistry, and
CHEM 344-Physical Chemistry, II
14 Biochemistry:
BIOCH 352-General Biochemistry
BIOCH 353-General Biochemistry
BIOCH 355-Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOCH 356-Lectures on Biochemistry Laboratory
Methods
10-11 Mathematics, select one group of courses:
MATH 135-Calculus, and
MATH 245-Calculus, II
or
MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I, and
MATH 130-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, II, and
MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables
10-12 Physics, select from:
PHYCS 101-General Physics (Mechanics, Heat,
and Sound)
PHYCS 102-General Physics (Light, Electricity,
Magnetism, and Modern Physics)
or equivalent as approved by academic adviser
6 Advanced electives in life sciences (300 level)
variable Nontechnical Requirements:3
General education:
Foreign language-four semesters of college study
(or four years of high school study) in a single
foreign language
Composition I writing requirement (RHET 105, RHET 108,
SPCOM 111 and 112, or equivalent)
Advanced Composition writing requirement4
Humanities/Arts to satisfy the campus general
education requirements
Social/Behavioral sciences to satisfy the campus
general education requirements
Cultural Studies to satisfy the campus general
education requirement5
variable Electives (not including any credit in satisfaction
of the above requirements)
1. Transfer credit must be approved by an adviser 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 Brochure.
3. The requirements for the Campus General Education categories Natural Sciences and Technology and Quantitative Reasoning I are fulfilled through required course work in the curriculum.
4. The course taken to satisfy the Advanced Composition requirement may also be used to partially satisfy one of the core chemistry, advanced chemistry, physics, or technical electives requirements (if appropriate), or may be used to partially satisfy the free electives requirements.
5. The courses taken to satisfy Western and/or non-Western civilization requirements may also be used to satisfy nontechnical and/or free elective categories.
Bioengineering Option
Bioengineering is a broad, interdisciplinary field that brings together engineering, biology, and medicine to study basic biological phenomena and to create new techniques and devices to deal with specific medical problems. Its practice ranges from the fundamental study of the behavior of biological materials to the development of medical instruments.
Students must obtain a strong background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry in addition to the biological sciences. A number of engineering courses are also required. A student with specific career objectives in mind should consult with his or her adviser as early as possible in order to choose appropriate courses.
E-mail: lifesci@life.uiuc.edu
Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/p_BIOE.html
Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences1
Minimum required courses normally equate to 70-72 hours including 8 hours of 300-level courses
General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: In addition to the degree requirements, candidates must enroll in BIOEN 270 and, working with a bioengineering faculty adviser, prepare a report based on laboratory or library research. This report will be submitted to a committee, which will recommend the level of distinction.
Courses in addition to those listed below may be required for entrance to medical or veterinary school or graduate programs in either engineering or the life sciences.
HOURS REQUIREMENTS
15 BIOL 120-Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity
BIOL 121-Ecology and Organismic Biology
BIOL 122-Molecular and Cellular Biology2
8-9 Select one group of courses:
CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I, and
CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II, and
CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I, and
CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II
or
CHEM 101-General Chemistry, and
CHEM 105-General Chemistry Laboratory, and
CHEM 102-General Chemistry (Biological or Physical
Version), and
CHEM 106-General Chemistry Laboratory
5 CHEM 231-Elementary Organic Chemistry
CHEM 234-Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory
13-14 Select one group of courses:
MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I, and
MATH 130-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, II, and
MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables, and
MATH 285-Differential Equations and Orthogonal
Functions
or
MATH 135-Calculus, and,
MATH 245-Calculus, II, and
MATH 285-Differential Equations and Orthogonal
Functions
4 PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics)
4 PHYCS 112-General Physics (Electricity and
Magnetism)
2 PHYCS 113-General Physics (Fluids and Thermal
Physics)
2 PHYCS 114-General Physics (Waves and Quantum
Physics)
8 Three courses are required. Select from:
BIOPH 301-Introduction to Biophysics
or
PHYSL 301-Cell and Membrane Physiology
PHYSL 302-Systems and Integrative Physiology
PHYSL 304-Systems and Integrative Physiology Laboratory
9 Engineering, bioengineering (excluding BIOEN 120),
and life sciences courses to be selected from a
list available from the Bioengineering Office or
LAS Bioengineering faculty advisers. Recommended
courses: Physiology, Biophysics, Advanced
Engineering, Physics, Biochemistry, Physical
Chemistry.
Twelve hours advanced-level (300- and approved 200-level) courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
No more than 18 hours of 100-level Life Science courses may count towards graduation (including BIOL 120, 121, 122).
Students may complete only one option within the School of Life Sciences.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of 290, 292, and 294credit offered in biophysics; cell and structural biology; animal biology; entomology; microbiology; physiology; and plant biology.
1. An engineering degree is possible through a five-year combined Engineering-Liberal Arts and Sciences program.
2. Or approved equivalent
Biophysics Option
Biophysics provides a strong background in the physical sciences and mathematics with a basic interest in the life sciences. It is designed to provide guidelines on which physical and life sciences courses especially complement each other. Because of the many possible course choices available, it is important that students consult their adviser throughout the entire undergraduate program.
E-mail: lifesci@life.uiuc.edu
Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/p_BIOPH.html
Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required courses normally equate to 64-66 hours including 6 hours of 200- and 300-level courses
General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: To earn distinction in biophysics, the candidate must enroll in BIOPH 290 and, working with a biophysics faculty adviser, prepare a report based on theoretical or experimental research. This report will be submitted to a committee that will recommend the level of distinction to the faculty.
HOURS REQUIREMENTS
5 BIOL 120-Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity
5 BIOL 121-Ecology and Organismic Biology
5 BIOL 122-Molecular and Cellular Biology
3-4 Select one of the following:
BIOPH 254-The Physical Basis of Life
BIOCH 350-Introductory Biochemistry, or equivalent
9 CHEM 107-Accelerated Chemistry, I
CHEM 108-Accelerated Chemistry, II
CHEM 109-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, I
CHEM 110-Accelerated Chemistry Laboratory, II
5-6 Select one group of courses:
CHEM 231-Elementary Organic Chemistry, and
CHEM 234-Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory
or
CHEM 236-Fundamental Organic Chemistry, I, and
CHEM 237-Structure and Synthesis
14 MATH 120-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, I
MATH 130-Calculus and Analytic Geometry, II
MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables
MATH 285-Differential Equations and Orthogonal
Functions
4 PHYCS 111-General Physics (Mechanics)
4 PHYCS 112-General Physics (Electricity and Magnetism)
2 PHYCS 113-General Physics (Fluids and Thermal Physics)
2 PHYCS 114-General Physics (Waves and Quantum Physics)
3 BIOPH 301-Introduction to Biophysics
3 Select one course:
BIOPH 320-Molecular Biophysics
BIOPH 332-Photosynthesis
BIOPH 354-Biological Energy Conversion
Highly Recommended Courses by Topic:
Biochemistry:
BIOCH 355-Biochemistry Laboratory
Electromagnetic theory:
PHYCS 331-Intermediate Electricity and Mechanics
PHYCS 333-Electromagnetic Fields
Kinetic theory, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics:
CHEM 344-Physical Chemistry, II
PHYCS 361-Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Atomic physics:
CHEM 342-Physical Chemistry, I
PHYCS 383-Atomic Physics and Quantum Theory
Physical chemistry of macromolecules:
CHEM 346-Physical Biochemistry
The above listing of recommended courses is not
intended to be limiting; the individual student
should consult his or her faculty adviser about
other advanced undergraduate courses that may be
taken toward fulfillment of the option requirement.
Twelve hours advanced-level (300- and approved 200-level) courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
No more than 18 hours of 100-level Life Science courses may count towards graduation (including BIOL 120, 121, 122).
Students may complete only one option within the School of Life Sciences.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of 290, 292, and 294 credit offered in biophysics; cell and structural biology; animal biology; entomology; microbiology; physiology; and plant biology.