Nov 24, 2024

2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog

2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

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

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Program: B.S.
Department of Biology
Genetics, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Concentration
College of Arts and Sciences

Science Building 330 ~ 260-481-6305

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.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

demonstrate comprehension of basic biological principles and theories, and an ability to apply those theories and principles to problem solving
demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method, and be able to apply that knowledge to problem solving
demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate biological information
demonstrate the basic knowledge and experience of field and laboratory work, and be able to communicate the results of an investigation

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

Declare this major within the Department of Biology

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:

A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
A GPA of 2.30 or higher in biology core and biology elective/concentration courses.
A maximum of 6 credits in BIOL 29500 or 59500.
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 and the concentration in Genetics, Cellular, and Molecular Biology, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description. Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major. A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne College Requirements link above. Go to Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

See Part A in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree for Speaking requirement

ENGL 23301 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.

International Language: Credits 8

See Part B in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

Core (Major) Courses: Credits 23

BIOL 11700 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution Cr. 4.
BIOL 11900 - Principles of Structure and Function Cr. 4.
BIOL 12000 - Biology Resource Seminar Cr. 1.
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: Credits 9

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: Credits 16

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

BIOL 38100 - Cell Biology Cr. 3.
BIOL 50600 - Human Molecular Genetics Cr. 3.
BIOL 50900 - Molecular Biology and Applications Cr. 3.
BIOL 58400 - Molecular Biology and Applications Laboratory Cr. 1.
CHM 53300 - Introductory Biochemistry Cr. 3.

Elective Courses in the Concentration: Credits 6

Choose six credits from the following list:

BIOL 43700 - General Microbiology Cr. 4.
includes laboratory
BIOL 51600 - Molecular Biology of Cancer Cr. 3.
BIOL 51810 - Biomedicine Cr. 3.
BIOL 52000 - Contemporary Parasitology Cr. 3.
BIOL 52410 - Bacterial Diversity and Systematics Cr. 3.
BIOL 53300 - Medical Microbiology Cr. 3.
BIOL 53700 - Immunobiology Cr. 3.
BIOL 54400 - Principles of Virology Cr. 3.
BIOL 55110 - Proteins: Structure and Functions Cr. 3.
BIOL 56500 - Immunobiology Lab Cr. 1.
BIOL 56600 - Developmental Biology Cr. 3.
BIOL 56700 - Laboratory in Developmental Biology Cr. 1.
BIOL 57710 - Emerging Infectious Diseases Cr. 3.
FNR 50500 - Molecular Ecology and Evolution Cr. 3.

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 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 while completing at least 6 research credits. Research credits should be composed of BIOL 59500, although BIOL 29500 credits will be accepted if it can be demonstrated that the BIOL 29500 research was conducted on the same topic as the BIOL 59500 research. A senior thesis committee of three faculty members must be established at least one semester before graduation. Students must prepare a plan of research, senior thesis, and give a public oral presentation of the thesis research for review by the thesis committee. Students earning the Departmental Honors Degree in Biology are not eligible for the Biology Research Certificate.

Time Limit

All Biology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten (10) years from the time the first Biology course was completed.

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.