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 491BIOL 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. 

Foundation Courses
BIOL 200
200L
BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE]
and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] 1
4
BIOL 204EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING FOR THE BIOLOGIST1
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 309GENETICS4
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 2
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 333
333L
ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE]
and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
5-8
or CHEM 334
CHEM 336
CHEM 337
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE]
and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II [LECTURE]
Mathematics
Select one of the following:3-4
CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS
ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS
CALCULUS I
BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS
Physics
PHYS 211GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED4
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 Units53-73
Cellular, Molecular and Organismal Physiology Concentration Electives
BIOL 305ELECTRON MICROSCOPY4
BIOL 318MICROBIOLOGY4
BIOL 355ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY3
BIOL 360HISTOLOGY4
BIOL 365HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY3
BIOL 367ENDOCRINOLOGY3
BIOL 403ADV GENETICS3
BIOL 408CELL BIOLOGY (if not taken as required)4
BIOL 409MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (if not taken as required)4
BIOL 410MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY3
BIOL 411CANCER BIOLOGY3
BIOL 412CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY3
BIOL 415BIOTECHNOLOGY3
BIOL 417METABOLIC PATHWAYS3
BIOL 418GENETIC ANALYSIS IN MEDICINE3
BIOL 419ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY3
BIOL 420MICROBIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE3
BIOL 421IMMUNOLOGY4
BIOL 427NEUROMUSCULAR MECHANISMS OF THE UPPER BODY2
BIOL 428VIROLOGY3
BIOL 463DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY4
BIOL 470ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY (if not taken as required)4
BIOL 474MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND CONSERVATION3
BIOL 475GENETICS LABORATORY3
CHEM 351BIOCHEMISTRY3
CHEM 356BIOCHEMISTRY LAB2
MBBB 301INTRO TO BIOINFORMATICS4
MBBB 315GENOMICS3
1

Students may substitute BIOL 191/BIOL 191L for BIOL 200/BIOL 200L if an A- or better is earned in each course component.

2

  Only one of BIOL 325 or BIOL 342 many be counted toward the major. 

Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 200
200L
4BIOL 206
206L
4
MATH 115 or 119 (Core 3)13CHEM 131
131L (Core 7)
4
Core 1 (or Core 2)3MATH 211, 237, 273, or PSYC 2123-4
Core 43Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 53Core 123
 16 17-18
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 205 or 2084BIOL 207 (or elective)4
BIOL 20421Required Elective4
BIOL 3094PHYS 211 or 24144
CHEM 132
132L (Core 8)
4Core 93
Core 103Elective3
 16 18
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
BIOL 325, 342, or 43654BIOL 343 (or elective)54
CHEM 333
333L
3-5CHEM 336
CHEM 337
5
OR
Required Elective3-4
Elective3-4
Core 63 
Required Elective4 
 14-16 15-17
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Select two of the following:7-8Core 113
Core 133
Elective3
Elective3
 
Core 143 
Elective3 
 13-14 12
Total Units 121-127
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 333 & CHEM 333L can be substituted for CHEM 334 and CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 depending on career objectives. Consult your adviser.

  1. Explain the core concepts and principles of Biology.
  2. Demonstrate the scientific method through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and implementation of an experiment.
  3. Utilize scientific methodologies from the biological sciences in the evaluation of issues in society.
  4. Apply appropriate critical-thinking/problem-solving skills in biological sciences.
  5. Communicate both verbally and in writing in discipline specific contexts.
  6. Identify fundamental similarities and differences among various fields of study within the Biological Sciences.