Program Requirements

You’re not required to have a minor for this degree.

If you’d like to add a minor, talk with your advisor.

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to the Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) major requires:

  1. Completion of at least 25 hours of course work, including BMS 110, BMS 111, BMS 231, and CHM 160 and CHM 161,
  2. A cumulative and science GPA of 2.50 or higher.
  3. A student must achieve a grade of "C" or better in all specific general education requirements (item 1 below), all required BMS core courses (item 2 below), and all requirements from other departments (item 3 below).
  4. A grade of "C" or better must be obtained in a prerequisite course prior to taking a sequential course.
  5. In the terminal semester, student is required to take a comprehensive assessment examination in Cell and Molecular biology.

Major requirements (65-69 hours)

  1. Specific General Education requirements: BMS 110(3), 111(1); PHY 123(4) or 203(5); MTH 287(3) or 261(5).
  2. Biomedical Sciences courses: BMS 231(4), 321(4), 494(1), 521(4), 525(4).
  3. Required courses from other departments: CHM 160(4), 161(1), 170(3), 171(1), 342(3), 343(3), 345(2); PHY 124(4) or 204(5).
  4. 16 hours of electives from: BMS 308(4), 442(3), 498(1-3, up to 4 credit hours), 500(1-4), 524(3), 530(2), 535(3), 540(2), 542(3), 558(3), 561(3), 565(3), 567(4), 569(3), 570(3), 573(2), 582(3), 585(4); BIO 312(3), BIO 313(2). Other upper-division electives may be selected with advisor approval. At least 10 of these elective hours must carry a BMS course code.
  5. Public Affairs Capstone Experience will be fulfilled by completion of BMS 494(1) and any combination of the following courses equaling three total hours: BMS 300(1), 380(1-3), 400(2), 460(1), 490(3).

University level requirements:

  1. General Education Program and Requirements
  2. General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Electives

In the cell and molecular biology program, you must complete at least 16 credit hours of electives.

Electives must be pre-approved by your advisor. At least 10 credit hours from your chosen electives must have a BMS (biomedical sciences) prefix.

Additional requirement

In your senior year, you’ll take the Area Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT).

The department administers this test in late April and late November. There is no cost for this test.