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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement 2 | 3-6 | |
| Biological Science Core Requirements | ||
| BIO 150 & BIO 150L | and | 4 |
| BIO 151 & BIO 151L | and | 4 |
| BIO 252 & BIO 252L | and | 4 |
| BIO 298 | 3 | |
| Biology Electives 3 | ||
| Select a minimum of one course from each of the following categories: | 10-16 | |
Molecular and Cellular Electives (3-4 credits): 3 | ||
BIO 240 | ||
BIO 282 & BIO 282L | and | |
BIO 317 & BIO 317L | and | |
BIO 346 & BIO 346L | and | |
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Human Genetics and Human Genetics Lab | ||
BIO 471 & BIO 471L | and | |
Organismal Electives (3-4 credits) 3 | ||
BIO 215 | ||
| Special Topics | ||
BIO 323 & BIO 323L | and | |
BIO 324 & BIO 324L | and | |
| Human Clinical Parasitology and Human Clinical Parasitology Lab | ||
BIO 352 & BIO 352L | and | |
BIO 358 & BIO 358L | and | |
BIO 375 & BIO 375L | and | |
BIO 383 | ||
Physiology Electives (3-4 credits): 3 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | ||
BIO 225 & BIO 225L | and | |
BIO 325 | ||
BIO 329 | ||
BIO 350 | ||
Experiential Learning (1-4 credits): | ||
BIO 385 | ||
BIO 386 | ||
BIO 491 | ||
BIO 492 | ||
BIO 493 | ||
BIO 494 | ||
| Physical Science Core Requirements | ||
| CHE 110 & CHE 110L | and | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 210 & CHE 210L | and | 4 |
| CHE 211 & CHE 211L | and | 4 |
| PHY 110 & PHY 110L | and | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Open Undergraduate Electives 4 | 9 | |
| Graduate Courses 5 | ||
| BIO 515 | 4 | |
| BIO 568 | 4 | |
| BIO 571 | 4 | |
| BIO 605 | DNA Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 606 | 4 | |
| BIO 675 | 2 | |
| Open Graduate Electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 141-150 | |
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University Curriculum Requirement: All students must complete the 46 credits of the University Curriculum. 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. 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.
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College of Arts & 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (3+) program is designed for outstanding students. First-year applicants will be considered for an accelerated dual-degree program based on demonstrated academic achievement to complete the bachelor’s degree at an accelerated pace.
While scores are not required, if a student wants to submit, they should have at least a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT to be considered
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog. You can also learn more about accelerated dual-degrees on qu.edu
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 & BIO 150L | and | 4 |
| CHE 110 & CHE 110L | and | 4 |
| MA 140 | 1 | |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing 1 | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 151 & BIO 151L | and | 4 |
| CHE 111 & 111L | and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| MA 141 | 1 | |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| 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 & BIO 252L | and 2 | 4 |
| or BIO 298 | ||
| CHE 210 & CHE 210L | and | 4 |
| Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| J-Term | ||
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 298 | 2 | 3-4 |
| or BIO 252 & BIO 252L | and | |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| CHE 211 & CHE 211L | and | 4 |
| Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement) | 3 | |
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| University Curriculum (UC) Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| 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 Elective | 3 | |
| BIO 571 | 4 | |
| PHY 110 & PHY 110L | and | 4 |
| CAS 420 | ||
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| J-Term | ||
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| BIO 515 | 4 | |
| BIO 605 | DNA Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Summer Session | ||
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| 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 568 | 4 | |
| BIO 606 | 4 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 675 | 2 | |
| Graduate Elective | 4 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Total combined credits | 143 | |
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Initial placement in the English and 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.
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Students may take either BIO 252 and 252L or BIO 298 in either order or concurrently.