Major in Biology - Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration
Completion of this concentration provides background for advanced studies in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology and diverse fields that involve molecular tools in research. In addition, students may select this concentration as preparation for professional degree programs in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine or for a career in biology education, 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 Cell and Molecular Biology 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 Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration consists of 62-81 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 | INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 202 | INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | 4 |
| BIOL 204 | EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING FOR THE BIOLOGIST | 1 |
| BIOL 309 | GENETICS | 4 |
| Breadth Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-8 | |
| GENERAL BOTANY and GENERAL ZOOLOGY | ||
| BIODIVERSITY | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION | ||
| CELL BIOLOGY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-8 | |
| HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I [LECTURE] and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I [LAB] and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II [LECTURE] and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II [LAB] | ||
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select one of the following | 2 | |
| GENETICS LABORATORY | ||
| MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY | ||
| CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY LAB | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY | ||
or BIOL 318 | MICROBIOLOGY | |
| ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY | ||
| HISTOLOGY | ||
| CANCER BIOLOGY | ||
| BIOTECHNOLOGY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| MICROBIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE | ||
| IMMUNOLOGY | ||
| VIROLOGY | ||
| DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY I | ||
| INTRO TO BIOINFORMATICS | ||
| GENOMICS | ||
| Elective | ||
| Select one biology elective from lists of electives in any Biology concentration or successfully complete BIOL 491 or BIOL 499 | 3-4 | |
| If BIOL 221/BIOL 222 are completed as part of the Breadth requirement, this satisfies the Free Elective requirement. | ||
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| Chemistry | 13-18 | |
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | ||
| ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | ||
| Physics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 8 | |
| GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED and GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED and GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | ||
| Total Units | 62-81 | |
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 202 or 309 | 4 |
| MATH 115 or 119 (Core 3)1 | 3-4 | 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 | 17-18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 205 or 208 | 4 | BIOL 207 (or Elective) | 4 |
| BIOL 2042 | 1 | BIOL 405, 408, or 409 | 4 |
| BIOL 309 or 202 | 4 | PHYS 211 or 2414 | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L (Core 8) | 4 | Required Lab Elective (if prerequisites met) | 2 |
| Core 10 | 3 | Core 9 | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 221, 325, or 4365 | 4 | BIOL 222 (or elective) | 3 |
| BIOL 405, 408, or 409 | 4 | CHEM 330 or 331 | 5 |
| PHYS 212 or 242 | 4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Core 6 | 3 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3-4 | ||
| 18-19 | 14-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| CHEM 332 (or elective) | 5 | Core 11 | 3 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 3-4 |
| 14-16 | 12-14 | ||
| Total Units 124-133 | |||
| 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 221 / BIOL 221L & BIOL 222 / BIOL 222L or BIOL 325 or BIOL 436) depends on your career objectives. Consult your adviser. |
NOTE: Either BIOL 315 or BIOL 318 may be used as an elective, but not both. Unit range totals are listed for options on a term-by-term basis. If you take the minimum number of units each term, you will not have the minimum 120 units needed to graduate. You must review your overall progress toward your degree every term when you meet with your adviser.
- 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.