Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Program (BS)

UM-Flint Biology Department Website

The development of recombinant DNA technology, sometimes referred to as genetic engineering, has radically altered the biomedical sciences. Recombinant DNA techniques have triggered the exponential growth of a new biological field- molecular genetics, or, more generally, molecular biology, which only two decades ago was in its infancy. Fundamental biological problems, untenable only a decade or two ago, are now being addressed using new molecular genetic methods. Recombinant DNA techniques are also revolutionizing disease diagnosis, as genetic bases for cancer, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s and other diseases are being discovered and making news almost daily. Applications of recombinant DNA methods, collectively called biotechnology, are yielding new approaches to disease treatment, drug development, forensics, and even the study of evolution.

The Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology provides students with a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for a career in this exciting and expanding area of biology. Students in this program are exposed to state of the art molecular techniques, and students completing this program will be highly qualified to seek employment at academic, industrial, or government laboratories engaged in molecular biology endeavors, or pursue graduate studies in molecular biology and related fields such as microbiology, immunology, or cell biology.

Requirements.

1. At least 40 credits in biology, with no more than 16 below the 300 level, including the biology core sequence of  BIO 111 , BIO 113 , BIO 326 , BIO 327 , BIO 328 , with grades of C- (1.7) or better in all used as prerequisites, and BIO 425 , BIO 435 , BIO 467 , BIO 468 ; capstone course BIO 453  or BIO 477 .
2. MTH 120  or equivalent proficiency by examination.
3. PHY 143  or PHY 243 , PHY 145  or PHY 245 .
4. Completion of one of the following concentrations:
   
   Research Concentration
   1.  CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , CHM 263  or CHM 265 , CHM 330 , CHM 331 , CHM 332 , CHM 333 ; CHM 350 , or CHM 450 , CHM 452 .
   2.  Electives, chosen with an advisor, may include but are not limited to, these recommended courses: BIO 301 , BIO 491 .   
   
   Pre-Medical Concentration
   1.  BIO 167 , BIO 168 , or BIO 432 .
   2.  CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , CHM 263  or CHM 265 , CHM 330 , CHM 331 , CHM 332 , CHM 333 ; CHM 350 , or CHM 450 , CHM 452 .
   3.  HCR 362 .
   4.  PSY 100 , PSY 309  (recommended) or PSY 316 , PSY 315 .
   5.  SOC 100 .
   6.  Electives, chosen with an advisor, may include but are not limited to, these recommended courses:  BIO 418 , BIO 419 , BIO 433 , BIO 445 , HCR 300 , PHS 315 , PHL 101 , PHL 168 , PHL 338 , other courses toward the philosophy of neuroethics minor.
   
   Pre-Dental Concentration
   1.  BIO 167 , BIO 168 ; BIO 432 .
   2.  CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , CHM 263  or CHM 265 , CHM 330 , CHM 331 , CHM 332 , CHM 333 ; CHM 350 , or CHM 450 , CHM 452 .
   3.  Electives, chosen with an advisor, may include but are not limited to, these recommended courses:  BIO 418 , BIO 419 ; BIO 433  or BIO 445 .
   
   Pre-Veterinary Concentration
   1.  BIO 167 , BIO 168 ; or BIO 432 .
   2.  CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , CHM 263  or CHM 265 , CHM 330 , CHM 331 , CHM 332 , CHM 333 ; CHM 350 , or CHM 450 , CHM 452 .
   3.  NSC 209 .
   4.  Electives, chosen with an advisor, may include but are not limited to, these recommended courses:  BIO 408 , BIO 418 , BIO 419 ; BIO 421 , BIO 431 , BIO 433 , BIO 455 , BIO 484 .
   
   Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
   1.  BIO 167 , BIO 168 ; or BIO 432 , BIO 433 .
   2.  CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , CHM 263  or CHM 265 , CHM 330 , CHM 331 , CHM 332 , CHM 333 ; CHM 350 , or CHM 450 , CHM 452 .
   3.  MTP 320  or MTP 321 .
   4.  PSY 100 , PSY 313 .
   5.  PTP 201 , PTP 413 .
   6.  BIO 301  (recommended) or PSY 322  or SOC 215 .
   7.  Electives, chosen with an advisor, may include but are not limited to, these recommended courses:  BIO 447 , HCR 300 .
    
   Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration
   1.  BIO 167 , BIO 168 ; or BIO 432 , BIO 433 .
   2.  CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , CHM 263  or CHM 265 , CHM 330 , CHM 331 , CHM 332 , CHM 333 ; CHM 350 , or CHM 450 , CHM 452 .
   3.  NSC 209 .
   4.  PSY 100 , PSY 313 .
   5.  BIO 301  (recommended) or PSY 322  or SOC 215 .
     
5. All requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Science  degree, including:
   1.  General Education requirements .
   2.  Completion of a minimum of 124, including at least 33 in upper division courses (numbered 300 or above).
   3.  A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and at UM-Flint overall.
    

Students planning to enter a graduate or professional school should investigate requirements of the specific graduate or professional programs to which they intend to apply to avoid missing requirements beyond those covered in their biology degree.