The comprehensive major in Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a rigorous and selective program in the sciences that prepares goal oriented and academically-serious students for:

1. graduate work in human genetics, cell biology or molecular biology,
2. graduate work in fields such as biotechnology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and microbiology where a strong undergraduate foundation in the broad disciplines of cell and molecular biology would be an asset,
3. professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, or other health and medically-related professions, and
4. employment in the emerging biotechnology industry which is based on applications of cell biology, molecular biology, and the scientific benefits derived from the Human Genome Project, particularly involving Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics.

Academic Program

Because of sequential prerequisites, limited course offerings, and tight course scheduling, students seeking formal admission to the degree program must begin to plan their program with a CMB advisor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences early during their freshman year.

Required Courses: (49-53 credit hours)

Biomedical Sciences: (21 hours)

BMS 110 (4) Concepts in the Biomedical Sciences
BMS 231 (4) Human Genetics with Laboratory
BMS 321 (4) Biomolecular Interactions
BMS 494 (1) Senior Seminar in Cell and Molecular Biology
BMS 521 (4) Molecular Cell Biology
BMS 525 (4) Molecular Biology

Chemistry: (17-19 hours)

CHM 160 (4) General Chemistry I
CHM 170 (3) General Chemistry II
CHM 175 (2) General Chemistry Lab
CHM 310 (5) Organic Chemistry
CHM 311 (5) Organic Chemistry or CHM 312 (3) (lecture only)

Physics: (8-10 hours)

PHY 123 (4) or PHY 203 (5)
PHY 124 (4) or PHY 204 (5)

Mathematics: (3-5 hours)

MTH 287 (3) or MTH 261 (5)

Notes: PHY 123 requires CSC 101 or computer proficiency examination; PHY 203 and 204 also require MTH 261. See current catalog for course descriptions and prerequisites.

Advisor-Approved Electives: (Minimum 16 credit hours):

Electives must be at the 300 level or above and be advisor-approved. Ten credit hours must have a BMS prefix. Approved electives are listed on the Advisor Approved Courses Form that is submitted when declared majors undergo an audit and are admitted into the program. Advisor Approved Courses Forms may be resubmitted with revisions to reflect any changes in the student's program of BMS electives, but this must be done prior to the student's enrollment in a course taken as an approved elective.

List of possible electives: See Catalog for Course Descriptions and Prerequisites.

BMS 308 (4) Human Physiology
BMS 514 (2) Scanning Electron Microscopy
BMS 516 (4) Transmission Electron Microscropy
BMS 524 (3) Virology
BMS 529 (3) Molecular Genetics
BMS 530 (2) Cell Biology of Cancer
BMS 540 (2) Biotechnology
BMS 558 (3) Recomb. DNA Techniques
BMS 561 (4) Medical and Pathologic Physiology
BMS 569 (3) Neurobiology
BMS 570 (3) Principles of Pharmacology
BMS 582 (4) Embryology
BMS 585 (4) Histology
BMS 593 (2) Bioinformatics and Biomedical Resources

BIO 310 (5) Microbiology
BIO 511 (3) Immunology

Notes: BMS 582 and 585 require BMS 307 or BIO 380.