Program Contact: Deborah Clark   203-582-8270

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 must meet the following requirements. The minimum number of credits required for a Bachelor of Science degree is 120. The minimum number of credits required for a Master of Science in molecular and cell biology is 34.

Biological Science Core Requirements
BIO 150
150L
General Biology for Majors
and General Biology for Majors Laboratory
4
BIO 151
151L
Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab
4
BIO 252
252L
Ecology and Biodiversity
and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory
4
BIO 298Research Methods in Biology3
Biology Electives 1
Select a minimum of one course from each of the following categories:10-16
Molecular and Cellular Electives (3-4 credits): 1
Cellular Communication
Genetics
and Genetics Lab
Developmental Biology
and Developmental Biology Lab
Cell Physiology
and Cell Physiology Lab
Cancer Biology
Human Genetics
and Human Genetics Lab
Molecular Genetics
and Molecular Genetics Lab
Organismal Electives (3-4 credits) 1
Environmental Biotechnology
Special Topics
Invertebrate Zoology
and Invertebrate Zoology Lab
Vertebrate Zoology
and Vertebrate Zoology Lab
Human Clinical Parasitology
and Human Clinical Parasitology Lab
Botany
and Botany Lab
Conservation Biology
and Conservation Biology Lab
Physiological Models for Human Disease
and Physiological Models for Human Disease Lab
Evolution
Physiology Electives (3-4 credits): 1
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
Physiological Diversity
and Physiological Diversity Lab
Neurobiology
Cardiovascular Physiology
Experiential Learning (1-4 credits):
Explorations in Biology
Independent Research in Biological Science
Independent Research in Biological Sciences
Independent Research in Biological Sciences
Independent Research in Biological Sciences
Physical Science Core Requirements
CHE 110
110L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHE 111
111L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
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
Modern Language Requirement 23-6
University Curriculum 346
Open Undergraduate Electives 49
Graduate Courses 5
BIO 515Advanced Biochemistry4
BIO 568Molecular and Cell Biology4
BIO 571Molecular Genetics4
BIO 605DNA Methods Laboratory4
BIO 606Protein Methods Laboratory4
BIO 675Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology2
Open Graduate Electives12
Total Credits141-150
1

Biology Electives: Some biology courses have no laboratory component and are 3-credit rather than 4-credit courses. Co-requisite courses must be taken simultaneously.

2

College of Arts and Sciences Modern Language Requirement: All CAS students (both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts) must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Modern language courses may also count toward the UC Personal Inquiry II requirement. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Students with placement scores at the 201 level or higher have demonstrated language competency and thus have passed out of the language requirement. 

3

University Curriculum Requirement: All students must complete the 46 credits of the University Curriculum. A minimum of MA 141 is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. The following courses taken for the Biology major double count as UC requirements: BIO 150 & 150L, BIO 151 and 151L, CHE 110 & 110L, CHE 111 & 111L, and PHY 110 & 110L. 

4

Open Undergraduate Electives: Students take open electives for a total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Many students pursue other interests by selecting electives in fulfillment of a minor.

5

Graduate Courses: Students take a total of 34 graduate credits required for the Master of Science degree in Molecular and Cell Biology.

The Accelerated Dual-Degree BS/MS program is designed for outstanding applicants. Students are offered acceptance into the program upon admission to Quinnipiac University. 

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and 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.

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, and the minimum number of credits required for the graduate degree is 34. At least 18 credits must be completed after conferral of the bachelor’s degree and cannot be double counted.

Courses taken to fulfill the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Biology are identical to those listed in the BS in Biology curriculum.

Courses to 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.

Fall Semester
Milestones: Earn 40 credits, meet with your advisor at least once a semester, a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher.
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 140Pre-Calculus 13
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing3
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
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 141Calculus of a Single Variable 13
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
University Curriculum (UC) Course3
Summer Session
University Curriculum (UC) Course3
Open Elective3
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 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
4
or BIO 298 Research Methods in Biology
CHE 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
Language at the 101 level3
University Curriculum (UC) Course3
J-Term
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
BIO 298Research Methods in Biology3-4
or BIO 252
252L
Ecology and Biodiversity
and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory
Biology Elective4
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) Course3
Summer Session
University Curriculum (UC) Course3
Open Elective3
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 advisor at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities.
Fall Semester
Biology Elective3
BIO 571Molecular Genetics4
PHY 110
110L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
CAS 420CAS Integrative Capstone3
Open Electives3
J-Term
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
Biology Elective4
BIO 515Advanced Biochemistry4
BIO 605DNA Methods Laboratory4
PHY 111
111L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
Summer Session
Graduate Elective3
Fourth Year
Milestones: Earn 35 Graduate credits and a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a minimum grade of C in all graduate courses. Prepare for graduation.
Fall Semester
BIO 568Molecular and Cell Biology4
BIO 606Protein Methods Laboratory4
Graduate Elective3
Spring Semester
BIO 675Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology2
Graduate Elective4
Graduate Elective3
Total combined credits143
1

Initial placement in the English and mathematics courses is determined by placement exam and an evaluation of high school units presented. Students intending to pursue graduate or professional studies (medicine, dentistry, osteopathy or veterinary medicine) are advised to complete at least one semester of calculus. A minimum of MA 141 is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.  

2

Students may take either BIO 252 and 252L or BIO 298 in either order or concurrently.