Major in Biology - Cellular, Molecular & Organismal Physiology Concentration
Completion of this concentration provides background for advanced studies in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, and physiology. In addition, students may select this concentration as preparation for professional degree programs in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine or for a career in biomedical research or fields that integrate biology with other disciplines such as business or law. Students completing this concentration are encouraged to take at least two upper-level labs among the elective courses within this concentration. Students are encouraged to participate in a research experience or as an intern (e.g., BIOL 491, BIOL 493 or BIOL 499). They should consult with their adviser regarding these opportunities.
Specific requirements for the Cellular, Molecular & Organismal Physiology concentration are listed under Requirements and outlined in the suggested Four-Year Plan of Study. A complete list of Biology courses that do not count towards the Biology major may be found on the Resources for Students web page.
The Cellular, Molecular and Organismal Physiology Concentration consists of 53-75 units. All Biology majors must complete minimum 19 units toward the major at Towson University, with at least 10 of these units at the upper (300-400) level. Courses taken to fulfill Ancillary Course requirements do not count toward units in residence.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| BIOL 200 & 200L | BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 204 | EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING FOR THE BIOLOGIST | 1 |
| BIOL 206 & 206L | BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LAB] | 4 |
| Intermediate Courses: Genetics, Biodiversity and Physiology | ||
| BIOL 309 | GENETICS | 4 |
| Select one Biodiversity option from the following: | 3-8 | |
| GENERAL BOTANY and GENERAL ZOOLOGY | ||
| BIODIVERSITY | ||
| Select one Physiology option from the following: | 3-8 | |
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY 1 | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS and HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II FOR BIOLOGY MAJORS 1 | ||
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 131 & 131L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 330 | ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 5-10 |
| or CHEM 331 & CHEM 332 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | ||
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED | 4 |
| or PHYS 241 | GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED | |
| Cellular, Molecular and Organismal Physiology Concentration Courses | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 7-8 | |
| CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select minimum three upper (300-400) level elective courses. Minimum two courses must be from the following list of Cellular, Molecular and Organismal Physiology Concentration Electives. The remaining course may be selected from the list or from any course not already taken that may be counted toward any concentration of the major (excluding ancillary and UTeach courses). One elective course must be a lecture/laboratory course, a laboratory course, or BIOL 491. | 7-12 | |
| Total Units | 53-75 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular, Molecular and Organismal Physiology Concentration Electives | ||
| BIOL 305 | ELECTRON MICROSCOPY | 4 |
| BIOL 318 | MICROBIOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 355 | ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 360 | HISTOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 367 | ENDOCRINOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 403 | ADV GENETICS | 3 |
| BIOL 408 | CELL BIOLOGY (if not taken as required) | 4 |
| BIOL 409 | MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (if not taken as required) | 4 |
| BIOL 410 | MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY | 3 |
| BIOL 411 | CANCER BIOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 412 | CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY | 3 |
| BIOL 415 | BIOTECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 419 | ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 420 | MICROBIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE | 3 |
| BIOL 421 | IMMUNOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 427 | NEUROMUSCULAR MECHANISMS OF THE UPPER BODY | 2 |
| BIOL 428 | VIROLOGY | 3 |
| BIOL 463 | DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 470 | ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY (if not taken as required) | 4 |
| BIOL 474 | MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND CONSERVATION | 3 |
| BIOL 475 | GENETICS LABORATORY | 3 |
| CHEM 351 | BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CHEM 356 | BIOCHEMISTRY LAB | 2 |
| MBBB 301 | INTRO TO BIOINFORMATICS | 4 |
| MBBB 315 | GENOMICS | 3 |
Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 200 & 200L | 4 | BIOL 206 & 206L | 4 |
| MATH 115 or 119 (Core 3)1 | 3 | CHEM 131 & 131L (Core 7) | 4 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | MATH 211, 237, 273, or PSYC 212 | 3-4 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| 16 | 17-18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 205 or 208 | 4 | BIOL 207 (or elective) | 4 |
| BIOL 2042 | 1 | Required Elective | 4 |
| BIOL 309 | 4 | PHYS 211 or 2414 | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L (Core 8) | 4 | Core 9 | 3 |
| Core 10 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 325, 342, or 4365 | 4 | BIOL 343 (or elective)5 | 4 |
| CHEM 330 or 331 | 5 | CHEM 332 (or elective)3 | 5 |
| Core 6 | 3 | Required Elective | 3-4 |
| Required Elective | 4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| 16 | 15-17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Select two of the following: | 7-8 | Core 11 | 3 |
| Core 13 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Core 14 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 13-14 | 12 | ||
| Total Units 123-127 | |||
- 1
MATH 237 and PSYC 212 can be substituted for a Calculus course depending on career objectives. Consult your adviser.
- 2
A major assignment in BIOL 204 is the development of your own Degree Completion Plan.
- 3
CHEM 330 can be substituted for CHEM 331 and CHEM 332 depending on career objectives. Consult your adviser.
- 4
PHYS 241 and PHYS 242 can be substituted for PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 if Calculus prerequisites are met (requires MATH 273 and MATH 274).
- 5
Your choice for physiology (BIOL 342 & BIOL 343 or BIOL 325 or BIOL 436) depends on your career objectives. Consult your adviser. Students selecting BIOL 325 or BIOL 436 will also need to complete a free elective.
- Explain the core concepts and principles of Biology.
- Demonstrate the scientific method through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and implementation of an experiment.
- Utilize scientific methodologies from the biological sciences in the evaluation of issues in society.
- Apply appropriate critical-thinking/problem-solving skills in biological sciences.
- Communicate both verbally and in writing in discipline specific contexts.
- Identify fundamental similarities and differences among various fields of study within the Biological Sciences.