Program Contact: Tom Torello 203-582-7750
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Dual-Degree BS in Biology and MS in Molecular and Cell Biology. The MS in Molecular and Cell Biology 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 the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries.
Upon satisfactory completion of all of the undergraduate curriculum requirements, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology. The requirements and policies for the undergraduate degree are the same as described on the Bachelor of Science in Biology page. Students complete graduate-level biology courses during their senior year; 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 earn the MS in Molecular and Cell Biology upon satisfactory completion of all of the graduate curriculum requirements.
Students who choose to pursue the Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (4+1) must complete all the requirements of the BS in Biology and the MS in Molecular and Cell Biology and are required to complete the following courses by the end of their fourth year:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHE 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHE 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| A minimum of two Biology electives in separate elective categories (Molecular and Cellular Biology, Organismal, Physiology, or Experiential Learning). An elective in Molecular and Cellular Biology is strongly recommended. | ||
For additional guidance on how these courses are integrated within the Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (4+1) program, please refer to the Sample Course Plan tab, which provides a representative five-year academic plan.
Shown below is one of several possible paths through the curriculum. Students choose courses and follow a curriculum determined in consultation with their 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. Students should take an average of 15-16 credits per undergraduate semester as outlined below. 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 Cell Biology curriculum.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 30 credits, an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher, and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher. Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester. | ||
| Fall 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 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to College-Level Reading And Writing | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| Open Electives | 1-2 | |
| 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 |
| EN 102 | Reading, Writing, & Research In College and Beyond | 3 |
| MA 140 | Pre-Calculus 1 | 3 |
| Open Electives | 1-2 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 60 credits, an overall GPA of 2.0 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 |
| MA 141 | Calculus of a Single Variable 1 | 3 |
| or MA 275 | Biostatistics | |
| Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 1-2 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 298 | Experimental Design and Communications 2 | 3-4 |
| or BIO 252 & 252L | Ecology and Biodiversity and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory | |
| 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 | |
| Open Electives | 2-3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 90 credits, an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher (a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is preferred), 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. Complete one year of organic chemistry and one year of physics. Meet with the 4+1 program advisor to discuss your plan to pursue the MS degree. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Biology Elective | 3-4 | |
| PHY 110 & 110L | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 2-3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Biology Elective (Experiential Learning) | 1-4 | |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 2-3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 120 credits, an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher (a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is preferred), and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher. Complete the graduate coursework listed below and, if applicable, the requirements for your minor or double major, and prepare for graduation. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Biology Elective | 3-4 | |
| BIO 571 | Advanced Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| Graduate Elective | 3-4 | |
| CAS 420 | CAS Integrative Capstone | 3 |
| Open Electives | 1-3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 515 | Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIO 605 | DNA Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| Biology Elective | 3-4 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 2-3 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn at least 34 graduate credits with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher. Prepare for graduation. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 568 | Advanced Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 606 | Protein Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| Graduate Elective | 3-4 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Graduate Elective | 3-4 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3-4 | |
| BIO 675 | Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology | 2 |
| Minimum total combined credits | 142 | |
- 1
Initial placement in 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 Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (4+1) program is designed for highly motivated biology majors who are particularly interested in Molecular and Cell Biology. Interested students should contact Alexandre de Lencastre and Tom Torello, and complete this form by March 30 of their third year. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is preferred.
Students are offered formal acceptance into the MS in Molecular and Cell Biology program after successful completion of the undergraduate degree.
Admission Requirements: College of Arts & Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts & Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.