Advising Course Plan - Molecular and Cellular Biology Major - Medical School Interest

Plan Option 1

It is our experience that most incoming freshmen are not prepared for more than one lab science course the first semester. This plan was developed with that in mind and indicates an effective way to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and to complete the typical premedical requirements without taking two lab sciences in the First Year.

First Year
FallUnits
BIOL 100Current Perspectives Biology0.0
FSEM 100First Year Seminar1
BIOL 141PIntroductory Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics1
MATH 1301Calculus I with Review Part I1
PSYC 101S2Introduction to Psychology1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 142PIntroductory Biology: Animal and Plant Physiology1
MATH 131Q1Calculus I with Review Part 21
SOCI 101S2Understanding Society: An Introduction to Sociology1
General Education requirement1
 Term Units4
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 243QBiostatistics1
CHEM 141PGeneral Chemistry I1
PHYS 121P3College Physics I1
General Education requirement1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 300Molecular Biology and Biotechnology1
CHEM 142PGeneral Chemistry II1
PHYS 122PCollege Physics II1
General Education requirement1
 Term Units4
Third Year
Fall
BIOL 3024Genetics1
Junior Seminar51
Elective1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 497Research Proposal0.5
CHEM 301Organic Chemistry II1
CHEM 204*Biochemistry I1
Elective1
Elective1
 Term Units4.5
Summer
If you intend to start MD or DO school the fall after you graduate, during the summer between Third Year and Fourth Year you should take the MCAT (after proper preparation; a prep course is offered on campus) and apply to medical schools (via online services AMCAS and/or AACOMAS). 
 Term Units0
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 498Senior Project I1
BIOL 300- or 400-level course61
Elective1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 499Senior Project II1
BIOL 300 or 400 level course61
Elective1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Total Unit: 32.5
1

The timing of the Math course is not critical; it can be taken at a later time. Some students may place into, and wish to take, MATH 141Q or MATH 151 instead of MATH 130 and MATH 131Q.

2

PSYC 101S and SOCI 101S can be taken at any time before the MCAT is taken.

3

The Physics courses can be taken later.

4

BIOL 300BIOL 302, and the other 300- or 400-level course can be taken in any order.

5

The Junior Seminar can be taken in the spring instead of the fall.

6

Other recommended upper division courses include: BIOL 301, BIOL 314, BIOL 315BIOL 401, BIOL 409, BIOL 410, BIOL 415BIOL 425.

*

Two core courses are required for the MCB major (Core course options: BIOL 302,  BIOL 425, and CHEM 204). 

Plan Option 2

This plan indicates an effective way to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and to complete the typical premedical requirements. This path includes 2 lab sciences the first semester so is only for highly motivated students with strong backgrounds in high school Biology, Chemistry, and Math and/or a Math SAT score ≥ 650.

First Year
FallUnits
BIOL 100Current Perspectives Biology0.0
FSEM 100First Year Seminar1
BIOL 141PIntroductory Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics1
CHEM 141P+General Chemistry I1
MATH 1301Calculus I with Review Part I1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 142PIntroductory Biology: Animal and Plant Physiology1
CHEM 142PGeneral Chemistry II1
MATH 131Q1Calculus I with Review Part 21
General Education requirement1
 Term Units4
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 243QBiostatistics1
PHYS 121P3College Physics I1
General Education requirement1
General Education requirement1
 Term Units4
Spring
CHEM 301Organic Chemistry II1
CHEM 204*Biochemistry I1
PHYS 122P3College Physics II1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Third Year
Fall
Junior Seminar51
BIOL 3023Genetics1
PSYC 101S2Introduction to Psychology1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 300Molecular Biology and Biotechnology1
BIOL 497Research Proposal0.5
CHEM 204Biochemistry I1
SOCI 101S2Understanding Society: An Introduction to Sociology1
Elective1
 Term Units4.5
Summer
During the summer between Third Year and Fourth Year you should take the MCAT (after proper preparation; a prep course is offered on campus) and apply to medical schools (online service). 
 Term Units0
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 498Senior Project I1
BIOL 300- or 400-level course61
Elective1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Spring
BIOL 499Senior Project II1
BIOL 300 or 400 level course61
Elective1
Elective1
 Term Units4
Total Unit: 32.5
1

The timing of the Math course is not critical; it can be taken at a later time. Some students may place into, and wish to take, MATH 141Q or MATH 151 instead of MATH 130 and MATH 131Q.

2

PSYC 101S and SOCI 101S can be taken at any time before the MCAT is taken.

3

The Physics courses can be taken later.

4

BIOL 300BIOL 302, and the other 300- or 400-level course can be taken in any order.

5

The Junior Seminar can be taken in the spring instead of the fall.

6

Other recommended upper division courses include: BIOL 301, BIOL 314, BIOL 315BIOL 425BIOL 401, BIOL 409, BIOL 410, BIOL 415, BIOL 422.

+

Students can concurrently take BIOL 141P with CHEM 141P and/or BIOL 142P with CHEM 142P. However, student must obtain additional academic advising and get permission from their academic advisor before enrolling in both courses.

*

Two core courses are required for the MCB major (Core course options: BIOL 302,  BIOL 425, and CHEM 204).