Program Contact: Catherine Takizawa 203-582-7749
For highly qualified students, the Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (3+1) provides an opportunity for students to achieve both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science within the field of Molecular and Cell Biology within a 4-year time frame typically associated with only an undergraduate education. The 3+1 program provides an excellent foundation for students intending to pursue studies in professional healthcare fields and doctoral programs. It also offers a competitive edge for students wishing to pursue a career in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries.
The requirements and policies for the undergraduate degree are the same as described on the Bachelor of Science in Biology page, except that students in the 3+1 combined BS/MS program are expected to maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 at the end of each school year for continued participation in the program. The requirements and policies for the graduate degree are the same as described on the Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology page.
Students in the 3+1 accelerated dual-degree program in Biology/MCB follow the same degree requirements as the BS in Biology curriculum and the MS in Molecular and Biology curriculum.
The minimum number of credits required for the undergraduate degree is 120, and the minimum number of credits required for the graduate degree is 34.
All courses required for the BS degree and the following graduate courses (12 credits) should be completed by the end of the third year.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 515 | Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIO 571 | Advanced Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 605 | DNA Methods Laboratory | 4 |
For additional guidance on how these courses are integrated within the Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (3+1) program, please refer to the Sample Course Plan tab, which provides a representative four-year academic plan.
Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (3+1)
Shown below is one of several possible paths through the curriculum. Students choose courses and follow a curriculum in consultation with their academic adviser; individual planning will vary based on a number of factors, including, for instance, Advanced Placement and/or transfer credits.
The minimum number of credits required for the undergraduate degree is 120. Courses taken to fulfill the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Biology are identical to those listed in the BS in Biology curriculum.
The minimum number of graduate credits required for the graduate degree is 34. At least 18 credits must be completed after conferral of the bachelor’s degree. Courses taken to fulfill the graduate Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology are identical to those listed in the MS in Molecular and Biology curriculum.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | ||
| Milestones: Earn 40 credits, a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher. Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester. | ||
| BIO 150 & 150L | General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory | 4 |
| CHE 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| MA 140 | Pre-Calculus 1 | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to College-Level Reading And Writing 1 | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 151 & 151L | Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable 1 | 3 |
| or MA 275 | Biostatistics | |
| EN 102 | Reading, Writing, & Research In College and Beyond | 3 |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 84 credits, a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher. Meet with your academic advisor at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career, and co-curricular opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 252 & 252L | Ecology and Biodiversity and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory 2 | 3-4 |
| or BIO 298 | Experimental Design and Communications | |
| CHE 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| J-Term | ||
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 298 | Experimental Design and Communications 2 | 3-4 |
| or BIO 252 & 252L | Ecology and Biodiversity and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory | |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| CHE 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement) | 3 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| Biology Elective (Experiential Learning) | 1 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 120 UG credits, a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher. Meet with your academic advisor at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, an internship or a research opportunity. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Biology Elective | 3 | |
| BIO 571 | Advanced Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| CAS 420 | CAS Integrative Capstone | 3 |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| J-Term | ||
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| BIO 515 | Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIO 605 | DNA Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Summer Session | ||
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 34 Graduate credits and a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a minimum grade of C in all graduate courses. Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester and prepare for graduation. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 568 | Advanced Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 606 | Protein Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 675 | Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology | 2 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Minimum total credits | 142 | |
- 1
Initial placement in the English and mathematics courses is determined by placement exam and an evaluation of high school units presented. Completion of MA 140 (Pre-Calculus) with a minimum grade of C- and either MA 141 (Calculus of a Single Variable) or MA 275 (Biostatistics) is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Students intending to pursue graduate or professional studies (medicine, dentistry, osteopathy or veterinary medicine) are advised to complete at least one semester of calculus.
- 2
Students may take either BIO 252 and 252L or BIO 298 in either order or concurrently.
The accelerated dual-degree (3+1) program is designed for outstanding students. First-year applicants will be considered for an accelerated dual-degree program based on demonstrated academic achievement to complete the bachelor’s degree at an accelerated pace.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.