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Build Research Skills

Work closely with a faculty mentor as you become the expert on a research project. Your discoveries may even lead you to co-author a paper for a scientific journal or present your work at DISCOVER, JCU’s annual research event, or even a national academic conference.

Gain Professional Experience

Immerse in a real-world lab setting with an internship at one of Cleveland’s many biotech firms or healthcare facilities. Consider applying for a summer research program locally or beyond.

Connect with Classmates

Join the Pre-Health Society, or the national biology honor society, TriBeta. These groups offer professional development and volunteer opportunities — as well as connection and camaraderie.

• Build Research Skills

  Work closely with a faculty mentor as you become the expert on a research project. Your discoveries may even lead you to co-author a paper for a scientific journal or present your work at DISCOVER, JCU’s annual research event, or even a national academic conference.

• Gain Professional Experience

  Immerse in a real-world lab setting with an internship at one of Cleveland’s many biotech firms or healthcare facilities. Consider applying for a summer research program locally or beyond.

• Connect with Classmates

  Join the Pre-Health Society, or the national biology honor society, TriBeta. These groups offer professional development and volunteer opportunities — as well as connection and camaraderie.

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

The Cell and Molecular Biology major prepares students for careers in medicine, biomedical research, biotechnology, pharmacy, healthcare, teaching, and other professions requiring a strong foundation in cellular and molecular processes.

• Major Required Courses

  Sci: Principles Of Biology I

  3 Credits

  BL1500

  For science majors. BL1500 is prerequisite to BL1600 and BL1700. Three hours of lecture per week. Basic chemical principles; cell structure and organization; metabolism of plants and animals. Corequisite: BL1505.
  

  Principles Of Biology Laboratory I

  1 Credits

  BL1505

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory study of the scientific method as applied to biology, focusing on development of skills through inquiry-based learning. Corequisite: BL1500. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Sci: Principles Of Biology Ii

  3 Credits

  BL1600

  For science majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL 1500. Corequisite: BL1605.
  

  Principles Of Biology Laboratory Ii

  1 Credits

  BL1605

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory study of plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: BL157 or BL1505. Corequisite: BL1600. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Genetics

  4 Credits

  BL2130

  Four hours of lecture per week. Principles of molecular, transmission, quantitative, and population genetics; social and ethical implications of genetics. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, and BL158 or BL1605.
  

  Bl2150

  BL2150

  Two hours of lecture per week. Introduction to basic techniques of DNA analysis, including restriction digests, DNA cloning, plasmid and genomic DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and bioinformatic analysis of DNA and protein sequences. Prerequisites: BL 213 or BL2130 or a grade of at least B in both BL156 or BL1500 and BL157 or BL1505, plus instructor permission. Corequisite: BL 2155. May not be taken concurrently with BL4700, and no credit will be given if BL4700 has been completed.
  

  Bl2155

  BL2155

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: BL 2150. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Bl4590

  BL4590

  Three hours of lecture per week. Cell signaling, protein regulation, eukaryotic cell cycle, and cancer. Focus on current primary literature and experimental techniques. Presentation of a seminar required. Prerequisite: grade of B- or higher in BL213 or BL2130 or permission of instructor.
  

  Bl4650

  BL4650

  Ch4310

  CH4310

  Four hours of lecture per week. One-semester survey; proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, membranes, and carbohydrates. Approximately half of the course is devoted to metabolism and metabolic regulation. May be used as a corequisite for CH 437. Only accepted or conditionally accepted chemistry majors or students working to complete chemistry minor requirements and are accepted or conditionally accepted as majors in another program will be permitted to register for CH 4310. Prerequisites: CH 2210-2240 or CH 221-224. Offered: Fall and/or Spring.
  

  Biochemistry I

  3 Credits

  CH4350

  Three hours of lecture per week. Structure/function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, biomembranes, and carbohydrates. Enzyme catalysis, coenzymes, regulation of proteins, DNA binding proteins, molecular genetics (introduction), laboratory methods, and signal transduction. Note: See listing under Biology for BL 4650, a separate course focusing on the biochemistry/molecular biology of gene expression. Only accepted or conditionally accepted chemistry majors or students working to complete chemistry minor requirements and are accepted or conditionally accepted as majors in another program will be permitted to register for CH 4350. Prerequisites: CH 2210-2240 or CH 221-224; BL 1500 or BL 155, BL 1600 or BL156 strongly recommended. Offered: Fall.
  

  Biochemistry Laboratory

  1 Credits

  CH4370

  Four hours of laboratory per week. Protein isolation, chromatography, electrophoresis, quantitative assays, enzyme kinetics, DNA isolation and restriction enzyme analysis, fluorescence and UV/VIS spectroscopy, and bioinformatics. Note: BL 4700 provides additional laboratory instruction in methods for biochemistry/molecular biology. Prerequisites or corequisites: CH 4310 or CH 431 or CH 4350 or CH 435; Chair permission. Offered: Fall, Spring. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

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• Concentration: Neuroscience

  Medical Physiology

  4 Credits

  BL3600

  Must be a declared Biology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Environmental Science, or Chemistry major or have a declared Neuroscience concentration. Three hours of lecture per week. Integration of the biological and regulatory functions which achieve homeostasis in the human body, from the cellular level to the entire organism. Special focus on muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems, interwoven with their control by neurological and hormonal processes in health and disease. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, and BL158 or BL1605. Corequisite: BL3605.
  

  Medical Physiology Laboratory

  0 Credits

  BL3605

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: BL3600. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Psychobiology

  3 Credits

  PS3260

  Study of the anatomical, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms underlying behavior. Prerequisite: (PS 100 or PS 1000) or (PS 101 or 1010) or (BL 155 or BL 1500) or (CH 141 or CH 1410).
  

  Psychopharmacology

  3 Credits

  PS4260

  Effects of psychotropic drugs on behavior, cognitive functioning, and emotion, with an emphasis on psychotherapeutic agents utilized in the treatment of biochemical abnormalities associated with various psychopathologies and drugs of abuse. Not open to those with credit in PS 2260. Prerequisite: PS 1000 or PS 1010 and the permission of instructor. Crosslisted as: PS 2260.
  

  Advanced Research Topics In Neuroscience

  3 Credits

  PS4895

  Advanced undergraduate participation in the conception, design, execution, and reporting of a research project in neuroscience. A course plan must be developed with the instructor and approved by the coordinator prior to enrollment. An Independent Study Contract, signed by the instructor, department chair, and associate dean must be turned in to the Office of the Registrar by the Friday before the first day of class for fall semester and by the Friday before the start of winter break for spring semester. Prerequisite: PS 1000 or PS 1010. A 3.0 GPA in completed neuroscience requirements; permission of neuroscience concentration coordinator. Offered: Fall.
  

  Biochemistry Ii

  3 Credits

  CH4360

  Three hours of lecture per week. Bioenergetics and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Emphasis on integration and regulation by metabolic, hormonal, and genetic factors. Photosynthesis and some physiological topics. Only accepted or conditionally accepted chemistry majors or students working to complete chemistry minor requirements and are accepted or conditionally accepted as majors in another program will be permitted to register for CH 4360. Prerequisite: CH 4350 or CH 435. Offered: Spring.
  

  Bl4750

  BL4750

  Three hours of lecture per week. The endocrine glands, hormones, and their mechanisms of action in mammals. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, and BL158 or BL1605.
  

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• Support Courses

  Sci: General Chemistry I

  4 Credits

  CH1410

  Four hours of lecture per week. Stoichiometry, thermochemistry, states of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, oxidation-reduction, acid-base, solutions. Corequisite: CH 1430. Offered: Fall.
  

  General Chemistry Lab I

  1 Credits

  CH1430

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments illustrating principles developed in the corequisite lecture courses. Offered: Fall. Corequisite: CH 1410. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  General Chemistry Ii

  4 Credits

  CH1420

  Four hours of lecture per week. Homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, chemistry of metals and non-metals, and other relevant topics. Offered: Spring. Prerequisites: (CH 1410 or CH 141) and (CH 1430 or CH 143). Corequisite: CH 1440.
  

  General Chemistry Lab Ii

  1 Credits

  CH1440

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments illustrating principles developed in the corequisite lecture courses. Offered: Spring, Prerequisites: (CH 1410 or CH 141) and (CH 1430 or CH 143). Corequisites: CH 1420. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Organic Chemistry I

  3 Credits

  CH2210

  Three hours of lecture per week. Theoretical and descriptive treatment of the structure and reactions of the representative classes of aliphatic organic compounds. Naming of organic molecules; reactions and preparations of alkane, alkene, alkynes; stereochemistry; carbocation theory; writing mechanisms; nucleophilic substitution, elimination, electrophilic addition, oxidation and reduction reactions. Prerequisites: CH 1410-1440 or CH 141-144 (or CH 1510 or CH 151, CH 1530 or CH 153). Corequisite: CH 2230. Offered: Fall.
  

  Organic Chemistry I

  1 Credits

  CH2230

  Four hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments to illustrate basic organic laboratory techniques to perform reactions, isolate and purify products, determine physical properties and purities of organic compounds and products. Reactions include those discussed in corequisite lecture course. Corequisite: CH 2210. Offered: Fall. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Organic Chemistry Ii

  3 Credits

  CH2220

  Three hours of lecture per week. Theoretical and descriptive treatment of the structure and reactions of acyclic and cyclic aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds. Naming of organic molecules; reactions and preparations of alcohol, diene, aromatic, amine and carbonyl-containing functional groups; carbanion theory; writing mechanisms; nucleophilic substitution, elimination, electrophilic addition, oxidation and nucleophilic displacement, elimination reactions, carbonyl chemistry; and spectroscopic analysis. Prerequisites: (CH 2210 or CH 221) and (CH 2230 or CH 223). Corequisite: CH 2240. Offered: Spring.
  

  Organic Chemistry Ii

  1 Credits

  CH2240

  Four hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments to illustrate basic organic laboratory techniques to perform reactions, isolate and purify products, determine physical properties, composition and purities of organic compounds and products; Reactions include those discussed in the corequisite lecture course. Theory and application of spectroscopic analysis to organic structure determination. Prerequisites: (CH 2210 or CH 221) and (CH 2230 or CH 223). Corequisite: CH 2220. Offered: Spring. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Data2280

  DATA2280

  Exploratory data analysis, probability fundamentals, sampling distributions and the Central Limit Theorem, interval estimations, tests of hypotheses, one-factor analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA), linear regression, introduction to categorical analysis, including contingency tables and chi-square tests, using the statistical software R. Course content in biology context. Offered: Fall, Spring.
  

  Data2600

  DATA2600

  Power analysis, factorial and repeated measures analysis of variance, nonparametric procedures, contingency tables, introduction to linear regression. Use of SPSS. Note: A grade of C- or higher in DATA 2600 is required to register for any course that has DATA 2600 as a prerequisite. This course was formerly offered as MT 223.Prerequisites: DATA 122 or DATA 1220 or equivalent. Offered: Fall, Spring.
  

  Sci: Calculus And Analytic Geometry I

  4 Credits

  MT1350

  Functions, limits, continuity, differentiation, differentiation rules, optimization, antiderivatives, definite integrals. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and improper integrals. Students who already have credit for MT 1300 or MT 130 must receive permission from the department chair before registering for MT 1350. Offered: Fall, Spring.
  

  Sci: General Physics I

  3 Credits

  PH1250

  Suitable for biology, premedical, and predental majors. Topics from the areas of mechanics, oscillations, sound, wave motion, fluids, and thermodynamics. Students who have not had high school physics should consult with the department chair prior to registering. Corequisite: PH 1251.
  

  General Physics Laboratory I

  1 Credits

  PH1251

  Experiments designed to complement PH 125 or PH 1250. Two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: PH 125 or PH 1250. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Sci: General Physics Ii

  3 Credits

  PH1260

  Suitable for biology, premedical, and predental majors. Topics from the areas of electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prerequisite: PH 125 or PH 1250. Corequisite: PH 1261.
  

  General Physics Laboratory Ii

  1 Credits

  PH1261

  Experiments designed to complement PH 126 or PH 1260. Two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: PH 126 or PH 1260. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

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• Sample Electives

  Bl1700

  BL1700

  Bl1705

  BL1705

  Three hours of laboratory per week. Evolutionary relationships among bacteria, algae, protists, fungi, and multicellular plants and animals. Prerequisite: BL157 or BL1505, or BL158 or BL1605. Corequisite: BL1700. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Bl2950

  BL2950

  Bl3010

  BL3010

  Bl3020

  BL3020

  Bl3100

  BL3100

  Bl3105

  BL3105

  Four hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: BL3100. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Bl3990

  BL3990

  Laboratory or field research in a specific area of biology under faculty supervision. A maximum of 3 credits of BL3980 and BL3990 combined will be accepted for any of the biology majors. Prerequisite: Junior status, 3.0 GPA in a biology major, and permission of instructor.
  

  Bl4100

  BL4100

  Bl4710

  BL4710

  Three hours of lecture per week. Concepts of humoral and cell-mediated immunity with emphasis on the cellular basis of the immune response. Experimental evidence emphasized. Prerequisite: BL213 or BL2130.
  

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Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Complementary Minors

Expand your knowledge with a minor. Options that may be of interest to cellular and molecular biology majors include:

• Bioethics
• Chemistry

Career Opportunities

Our graduates work at leading organizations including: