Program Contact:  Deborah Clark   203-582-8270

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Dual-Degree BS in Biology and MS in Molecular and Cell Biology. The MS in Molecular and Cell Biology 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.

Upon satisfactory completion of all of the undergraduate curriculum requirements, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology. The requirements and policies for the undergraduate degree are the same as described on the Bachelor of Science in Biology page. Students complete graduate-level biology courses during their senior year; the requirements and policies for the graduate degree are the same as described on the Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology page. A maximum of 9 graduate credits may be used to fulfill both undergraduate and graduate requirements. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses. Students earn the MS in Molecular and Cell Biology upon satisfactory completion of all of the graduate curriculum requirements.

Dual-Degree BS in Biology/MS in Molecular and Cell Biology (4+1) Curriculum

Students who choose to pursue the five-year Master's Degree in Molecular and Cell Biology are required to complete the following courses by the end of their junior year:

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
A minimum of two Biology Electives in separate elective categories (Molecular and Cellular Biology, Organismal, Physiology, or Experiential Learning). An elective in Molecular and Cellular Biology is strongly recommended.

Recommended Curriculum

Students choose courses and follow a curriculum determined in consultation with their adviser. 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. A maximum of 9 graduate credits may be used to fulfill both undergraduate and graduate requirements. A sample course plan that fulfills the requirements for the 4+1 program is shown below.

Individual planning will vary based on a number of factors, including, for instance, Advanced Placement and/or transfer credits.

First Year
Fall Semester
BIO 150
BIO 151L
General Biology for Majors
and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab
4
CHE 110
110L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing3
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
MA 140Pre-Calculus3
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
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
UC University Elective3
MA 141Calculus of a Single Variable3
Second Year
Fall Semester
BIO 298Research Methods in Biology3
BIO 152
152L
Ecological and Biological Diversity
and Ecological and Biological Diversity Laboratory
4
CHE 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
UC University Elective3
Spring Semester
BIO Biology Elective3
BIO Biology Elective3
CHE 211
211L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
UC University Elective3
Open Elective3
Third Year
Fall Semester
Biology Elective3
PHY 110
110L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
UC Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
BIO Biology Elective3
PHY 111
111L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
UC University Elective3
UC University Elective3
Open Elective3
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
BIO 571Molecular Genetics4
Graduate Elective3
UC Capstone3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
BIO 515Advanced Biochemistry4
BIO 605DNA Methods Laboratory4
UC University Elective3
UC University Elective3
Fifth Year
Fall Semester
BIO 568Molecular and Cell Biology4
BIO 606Protein Methods Laboratory4
BIO Graduate Elective3
Spring Semester
Graduate Elective3
Graduate Elective3
BIO 675Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology2

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.