Undergraduate Program

BS in Biological Sciences: Molecular Genetics (BMG) Track

We require students to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major, excluding allied field courses. See the advising page for information on how to declare your major, who your program advisor is, double majors, double degrees, petitioning for exceptions and more.

To begin the major declaration process for BS in Biological Sciences: Molecular Genetics Track, please use this link to access our departmental form.

Major Requirements

Students planning to major in the biological sciences should take BIOL 110L and 111L (or 112L and 113L), and CHEM 131-132 in their first year, and BIOL 198 or 190 and CHEM 203/207 in the fall of their second year.

Introductory Courses (Three Courses)

One of the following:

• BIOL 110L: Principles of Biology I with Lab
• BIOL 112L: Perspectives in Biology I with Lab (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)

Plus one of the following:

• BIOL 111L: Principles of Biology II with Lab
• BIOL 113L: Perspectives in Biology I with Lab (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)
• BIOL 115: Introduction to Organismal Evolutionary Biology (not offered after spring 2017, may use if taken.)

Plus BIOL 198: Principles of Genetics

Laboratory Experience (Two to Three Courses)

One half lab from UPBM laboratories list.*

Plus one of the following options:

• BIOL 268: Lab in Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology (usually taken junior year)
• BIOL 228A&B IGEM I&II (International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition Course Series)
• #### 395: Independent Research Biological Sciences Courses (two four-credit courses; must be approved by major advisor)

*Note: BIOL 198P is highly recommended.

Advanced Courses (Five Courses)

Both of the following:

• BIOL 202: Molecular Biology
• BIOL 243: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

Plus one of the following:

• BIOL 250 & 250P: Introduction to Biochemistry with Lab
• BIOL 252: Principles of Biochemistry (not offered Spring 2026)

Plus two of the following advanced electives:

• BIOL 205: Evolution
• BIOL 210: Cell Biology
• BIOL 219L: Genomics of Quantitative Traits
• BIOL 222: Biology of Aging
• BIOL 226: Developmental Biology
• BIOL 257L: Applied Genomics
• BIOL 265: Molecular Evolution (Not offered after spring 2018, may use if taken)
• BIOL 267: Human Evolutionary Genetics (Will not be offered spring 2026)
• BIOL 278: Biochemical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes
• IND 410: Molecular Biology and Genetics (Not offered after spring 2018)

Diversification Elective (One Course)

Select one course from the BMG diversification electives list, which must be approved by the track coordinator. The diversification elective should be outside of the BMG major track.

Ancillary Requirements (Nine Courses with Indicated Labs)

Both of the following general chemistry courses:

• CHEM 131: Chemical Concepts I with Lab
• CHEM 132: Chemical Concepts II with Lab

One of the following organic chemistry I courses:

• CHEM 203/207: Organic Chemistry I with Lab
• CHEM 171/173: First Year Organic Chemistry I with Lab

One of the following organic chemistry II courses:

• CHEM 204/208: Organic Chemistry II with Lab
• CHEM 172/208 or 210: First Year Organic Chemistry with Lab

Note: Satisfactory completion of CHEM 171/173 and 172/208 or 210 first year organic chemistry series with labs in conjunction with AP credit for CHEM 131 fulfills the chemistry requirements. However, some medical and other post-graduate programs may require four semesters of college chemistry. For students who need another chemistry course, the chemistry department suggests CHEM 211, Inorganic Chemistry.

One of the following physics I courses:

• PHYS 113: General Physics I with Lab
• PHYS 121: Mechanics with Lab
• PHYS 141: Mechanics (Honors) with Lab

One of the following physics II courses:

• PHYS 114: General Physics II with Lab
• PHYS 122: Electricity and Magnetism with Lab
• PHYS 142: Electricity and Magnetism (Honors) with Lab

One of the following calculus I courses:

• MATH 141: Calculus I
• MATH 161: Calculus IA
• MATH 171Q: Honors Calculus I

One of the following calculus II courses:

• MATH 142: Calculus II
• MATH 162: Calculus IIA
• MATH 172Q: Honors Calculus II

Plus one of the following:

• Math: MATH 164, 165, 235 or other upper-level math with advisor approval (MATH 143 is not acceptable)
• Statistics: BIOL 214, STAT AP, 180 (formerly Stat 212), 190 (formerly Stat 213), 201 or other upper-level statistics course with advisor approval (STAT 211 is not acceptable)
• Computer programming: BIOL 208, CSC 161, 170, 171, ECE 114 or other computer programming course with advisor approval