Molecular and Cell Biology (BS)

1. Four units in Biology: BIOL 111, 212, 213, 404

2. First-year Chemistry: CHEM 110, 120

3. Organic Chemistry: CHEM 250, 251

4. Biochemistry: CHEM 460, 461 (Students who satisfy the first-year chemistry requirement with CHEM 110 and 120 must also complete CHEM 231 prior to enrolling in CHEM 460.)

5. Two units of Mathematics: Any two of MATH 180, 181, and 260. MATH 160 may substitute for MATH 260 if and only if BIOL 211 or BIOL 231 is also taken

6. Two units of analytical science from the following: BIOL 211 or 231; CHEM 231; PHYS 111/112 or 121/122; MATH 110 and higher; CSCI 141 and higher

7. Two additional units in Biology, one of which must be at the 300 or 400 level (excluding 398), and which can include up to one unit of research credit (BIOL 390, 490, or 491). Students with an interest in evolutionary, environmental, or ecological applications of molecular biology should strongly consider BIOL 112 and 360 as their electives. Students may not use BIOL 361 to satisfy this requirement.

Notes for the major and minor

1. The following courses do not satisfy major or minor requirements: BIOL 101, 102, 201, 205, 398, 498, or 499.

2. Students majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not also major or minor in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry. There is no minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

3. Students should pay careful attention to course prerequisites as they affect course sequencing.

4. Majors are encouraged to participate in the undergraduate research program within the department. Courses in the undergraduate research program include Biology Colloquium (201), Directed Research (290/390/490), Introduction to Biological Research (392), Science and Mathematics Seminar Series (398), and Senior Thesis (491). Students may begin doing research with faculty members at any time in their career. Students who wish to do a senior thesis project can enroll in Biology Colloquium (201), Introduction to Biological Research (392), and either one unit of Senior Thesis (491) or one unit of Senior Directed Research (490) and one of Senior Thesis (491). Students may count one unit of research (390, 490, or 491) as one of the advanced Biology electives required for the degree. Students doing research must consult with and gain approval from a Biology faculty research adviser, and must submit a research proposal.

5. Students are encouraged to select electives and other courses beyond the major requirements in consultation with their academic advisor and/or the Health Professions advisor to personalize their academic experience to match their interests and, if relevant, to prepare them for graduate or professional school programs.

6. Majors who wish to obtain secondary-level teaching certification may do so by satisfying the M.A.T. requirements of the School of Education. Details and requirements may be obtained from the School of Education.

7. All courses required for the majors or minor must be taken on a graded basis. The credit/no credit grading option is not recommended for any student planning to enter graduate or professional school. Biology activity classes (BIOL 201, 205, 398) cannot be applied towards the Biology majors or minor.

8. To be eligible to graduate with departmental honors, a student must maintain a GPA in accordance with university regulations for such distinction and must complete an independent research project.

9. Coursework completed more than ten years prior to completion of degree requirements may not be counted towards fulfilling degree requirements for the majors or the minor.

10. At least two of the Biology electives and one of the Molecular and Cellular Biology electives must be completed on the Puget Sound campus.

11. For Biology majors, at least two of the Biology elective courses (BIOL 211 and above) must have a lab component. One unit of Junior or Senior-level Research (BIOL 390, 490, or 491) can be used to fulfill one of these lab course requirements.

12. Courses transferring in from other institutions including study abroad programs that transfer in at at least 0.67 units but less than 1 unit may still fulfill the requirement for a 1 unit course for the Biology major. Students with such courses should consult with their academic advisor or the Biology chair.