Majors

The Department of Molecular Genetics offers the Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics and the option to complete the degree with a Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology (PCMB) specialization after the conversion to semesters. Listed below is information regarding required coursework for these majors under quarters and semesters. Follow the links below to be directed to the appropriate information.

Molecular Genetics Undergraduate Major

Students can earn the Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics by completing the necessary prerequisites, core courses, and electives.  Whether under the quarter or semester system, the major program must be approved by a major advisor from the Department of Molecular Genetics (see Advising  to find your major advisor). Students who begin a major in Molecular Genetics under the quarter system should contact their major advisor for specific advice on completing the major under the semester system.

  • Required Prerequisites (do not count toward the 30 hour major):
    • Biology 1113 and 1114
    • Chemistry 1210 and 1220
    • Chemistry 2510, 2520, 2540, and 2550
    • Math 1151 or 1156
    • Physics 1200 and 1201 (or Physics 1250 and 1251)

Honors or more advanced versions for any of these courses are acceptable.

  • Core Requirements (the core comprises at least 19 credit hours):
    • Biochemistry 4511 OR Biochemistry 5613 AND 5614
    • MOLGEN 4606, 5607 or 5607E, 5608 or 5608E, 5645, and 5601 or 5602

Both lab courses (5601 or 5602) require either MOLGEN 4606 or MOLGEN 4500 as a prerequisite.  MG majors with at least two semesters of undergraduate research credit (MOLGEN 4998, 4998H, 4999, or 4999H, or their equivalent) may substitute 3 semester credit hours of Undergraduate Research for the MOLGEN laboratory course requirement. A major advisor must approve this substitution.

  • Electives (choose at least 3 electives from the following list; electives plus the core must total at least 30 credit hours):
    • Molecular Genetics courses:
      2220H, 2690, 3300, 3436, 4503, 4591S, 4703, 5193, 5194, 5300, 5623, 5630, 5632, 5643, 5650, 5700, 5701, 5705, 5715, 5733, 5735, 5795, 5796, 5797, 5798, 5800
      Completion of the MG Core (MG 4606, 5607, 5608, and 5645) is a prerequisite for most other 5000 level MG courses.
    • Other Life Sciences courses:
      Biochemistry 5621
      Biological Chem & Pharmacology (BIOPHRM) 5733
      EEOB 4520
      Microbiology 4000 or 4100, 4130, 4140, 5122, 5161
      Neuroscience 4050
      Psychology 5602
    • Up to 3 semester credit hours of MG 4998 (or 4998H) Undergraduate Research and/or MG 4999 (or 4999H) Thesis Research can count towards the 30 credit hours required for the Molecular Genetics major, and can count as one of the three required electives if not used as a substitute for the MG lab requirement.
    • Other elective courses may be substituted with permission of advisor.

 

Molecular Genetics Undergraduate Major with PCMB specialization

Students interested in focusing on plant biology may earn the Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics with PCMB specialization by completing the necessary prerequisites,core courses, and electives. Please see your major advisor if you would like more information about this course of study. 

Note: students currently pursuing the PCMB major will be able to complete the major, but the PCMB major available under quarters is closed to new students; please contact your PCMB major advisor with questions regarding completing the closed PCMB major.

  • Required Prerequisites (do not count toward the 30 hour major):
    • Biology 1113 and 1114
    • Chemistry 1210 and 1220
    • Chemistry 2510, 2520, 2540, and 2550
    • Math 1151 or 1156
    • Physics 1200 and 1201 (or Physics 1250 and 1251)

Honors or more advanced versions for any of these courses are acceptable.

  • Core Requirements (the core comprises at least 20 credit hours):
    • Biochemistry 4511 OR Biochemistry 5613 AND 5614       
    • MOLGEN 4606, 5607 or 5607E, 5608 or 5608E, 3300, and 3436
  • Electives (choose at least 3 electives from the following list; electives plus the core must total at least 30 credit hours):

    • Molecular Genetics courses:

      4503, 5193, 5194, 5601 or 5602, 5630, 5643, 5645, 5735, 5795, 5797, 5798, 5800

      Completion of the Core Requirements is a prerequisite for most other 5000 level MG courses.

    • Up to 3 semester credit hours of MOLGEN 4998 (or 4998H) Undergraduate Research and/or 4999 (or 4999H) Thesis Research can count towards the 30 credit hours required for the Molecular Genetics major with PCMB specialization.
    • In order to count toward the PCMB specialization, MOLGEN 4503, 4998, 4998H, 5193, 5194, 5797, and 5798 must be carried out with a Plant Biology emphasis.  Lab course 5601 and 5602 must include a plant biology module to count towards the PCMB specialization.
    • Other elective courses may be substituted with permission of advisor.