Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Biology (B.S.) With Concentration In Genetics, Cellular, And Molecular Biology


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

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:

  • a level of competency for understanding core principles of evolution, organismal diversity, ecology, biological structure, biological function, molecular biology, and genetics.
  • the ability to locate and critically evaluate scientific information to help develop relevant questions and hypotheses, interpret the results of investigation, and synthesize and apply new and existing knowledge.
  • the ability to design studies to test biological hypotheses using laboratory, field, or computational methods that meet professional ethical standards.
  • the ability to effectively communicate the results of scientific research verbally and in writing.
  • the ability to learn independently, analyze data, interpret results, synthesize information, and to critically evaluate the significance of research results and new knowledge.
  • an awareness of the relevance of biological knowledge to human health and welfare in local, national and international communities.

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

  • Declare this major within the Department of Biological Sciences.
  • Students are eligible to complete no more than one concentration within the Biology B.S.

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:


Biology (Genetics, Cellular and Molecular) 4-Year Plan  

  • 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.

Supporting Courses


English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6


  • ENGL 23301 (or a college-approved equivalent: ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, or WOST 23000).  This course is in addition to the General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent).
  • COM 11400 (or the college-approved equivalent: HIST 12500).

Both courses require a grade of C- or better

Language: Credits 6


Two courses at the first-year level in a single International Language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  

Note:  if you begin these courses at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you and your advisor are eligible to apply for special course credits after successful completion of the course into which you placed.  Non-native English speaking students and those with other language transfer credits should contact the College’s Student Success Center.

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


General Electives


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Honors in Biology


In order to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and a capacity to conduct independent research, the Department of Biological Sciences offers a graduation with honors option, which is noted on the transcript.  Graduating with honors requires forethought and planning; students must be willing to commit the time necessary to explore a topic in detail.  A student is eligible to apply for Honors in Biology after having achieved a junior standing and a Biology GPA of 3.5.  Although not required at the time of application, a 3.0 overall GPA will be required at graduation.  Contact the department or your advisor for further details.

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 ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. 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. 

Additional Course Use


Courses listed below may also be considered in meeting specific degree requirements.

CHM 25400 and CHM 26100 required; CHM 26500 and CHM 26100 accepted

COM 11400 required; HIST 12500 accepted

STAT 24000 required; STAT 30100 accepted