Biology B.S. with Concentration in Genetics, Cellular, and Molecular Biology

Program: B.S.
Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences

Science Building 330 ~ 260-481-6305 ~ ipfw.edu/bio

This concentration within the Biology B.S. degree prepares students to be at the forefront of genetics, cellular and molecular biology. Students share a common curriculum of traditional biology coursework along with in-depth training in the aforementioned areas. Students not only learn basic concepts, but also the most up-to-date laboratory and bioinformatics techniques employed in genetics, cellular and molecular biology. This in-depth education and training enables students to be highly competitive for entry into graduate, medical and other professional schools as well as for securing jobs in health care, pharmaceutical and drug discovery, biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental fields.

Special Regulation for Biology Majors

Time Limit - All biology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within 10 years from the time the first biology course was completed.

To earn a B.S. with a major in biology, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW and the College of Arts and Sciences (Part 4 and Part 8 ); earn a GPA of 2.30 or higher in BIOL 117, BIOL 119, BIOL 217, BIOL 218, BIOL 219, and BIOL 491 and elective courses in the concentration (listed below); and complete the following courses:

IPFW General Education Requirements Credits: 33

See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

A grade of C- or better is required in each course used to satisfy the IPFW general education requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

English Writing and Speaking

See Arts and Sciences Part A for Speaking requirement

ENG W233 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.

Foreign Language

Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 8

Core (Major) Courses

BIOL 11700 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution Cr. 4.
BIOL 11900 - Principles of Structure and Function Cr. 4.
BIOL 21700 - Intermediate Ecology Cr. 3.
BIOL 21800 - Genetics and Molecular Biology Cr. 4.
BIOL 21900 - Principles of Functional Biology Cr. 4.
BIOL 49100 - Senior Biology Seminar Cr. 1-3. Note: Effective Fall 2014, 3 credits are required

Supporting Courses

Calculus and Statistics

The following calculus and statistics course pattern is typical. Course substitutions are possible with advisor approval. Please note that most graduate programs require a full year of calculus.

Chemistry

CHM 11500 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
CHM 11600 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
Note: CHM 53300 Introductory Biochemistry is a requirement for this concentration (see below)

Required Courses in the Concentration Credits: 13

The following courses are required

BIOL 38100 - Cell Biology Cr. 3.
BIOL 50600 - Human Molecular Genetics Cr. 3.
BIOL 50900 - Molecular Biology and Applications Cr. 3.
BIOL 59500 Molecular Biology and Applications Lab Credit: 1
CHM 53300 - Introductory Biochemistry Cr. 3.

Elective Courses in the Concentration Credits: 6

Choose from any of the following:

BIOL 43700 - General Microbiology Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
BIOL 51600 - Molecular Biology of Cancer Cr. 3.
BIOL 51810 - Biomedicine Cr. 3.
BIOL 52410 - Bacterial Diversity and Systematics Cr. 3.
BIOL 53300 - Medical Microbiology Cr. 3.
BIOL 53700 - Immunobiology Cr. 3.
BIOL 54000 - Biotechnology Cr. 3.
BIOL 54400 - Principles of Virology Cr. 3.
BIOL 56500 - Immunobiology Lab Cr. 1.
BIOL 56600 - Developmental Biology Cr. 3.
BIOL 56700 - Laboratory in Developmental Biology Cr. 1.
FNR 50500 - Molecular Ecology and Evolution Cr. 3.

Free Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120

Honors in Biology

You may earn an honors degree in biology by achieving an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher and a biology GPA of 3.50 or higher, conducting a two-semester (minimum of 5 credits) research project, preparing a senior thesis based on the research project, and giving an oral presentation of the thesis research. The senior thesis committee must be established one semester before graduation.