Sample Program: Molecular and Cell Biology Major (B.S.)
Note: This sample assumes that the student has met the foreign language requirement in high school. Students must
earn 120 credits to graduate, 45 of which must be at the 2000s level or higher.
First Semester
Course
Biology 1107
Chemistry 1127Q or 1124Q
Math 1060Q or gen ed
English 1010 or 1011
UNIV 1800 (FYE)
Second Semester
(15-16 Credits)
4
4/3
3
4
1
Third Semester
Course
MCB core course2
Math 1132Q or elective
Chemistry 1126Q or 2443
W course
General education course
(13-15 Credits)
4/3
4/3
4
3
Fourth Semester
(15-17 Credits)
3/4
4/3
3
3
3
Fifth Semester
Course
MCB core course
Chemistry 2444
Chemistry 2445 or related3
Gen Ed or elective
Gen Ed
(15-16 Credits)
3-4
3
3
3
3
Sixth Semester
Course
(16-18 Credits)
Physics 1401Q or 1201Q
4
MCB core course
3-4
MCB writing course
3-4
Gen Ed
3
Elective
3
(Optional: independent study)4
1-3
Seventh Semester
Course
MCB (lab) course5
Related course
Gen Ed
Elective
(Optional: independent study)
Course
Biology 11081 or MCB core2
Chemistry 1128Q or 1125Q
Math 1131Q
General education course
Course
Physics 1402Q or 1202Q
MCB (core) course
Elective
Gen Ed
Elective
(Optional: independent study)
(16-17 Credits)
4
3-4
3
3
3
1-3
Eighth Semester
(15-16 Credits)
3-4
3
3
3
1-3
Course
MCB (lab) course
Related course
Gen Ed
Elective
(Optional: independent study)
(15-16 Credits)
3-4
3
3
3
1-3
1 The
MCB major only requires BIOL 1107. For a broad background in introductory biology, it is recommended that
students also take BIOL 1108.
2 MCB
majors must take all of the following core courses: MCB 2000, Introduction to Biochemistry (4 credits, either
semester) or MCB 3010, Biochemistry (5 credits, fall semester); MCB 2210, Cell Biology (3 credits, either semester);
MCB 2410, Genetics (3 credits, either semester) or MCB 2400, Human Genetics (3 credits, either semester); and MCB
2610, Fundamentals of Microbiology (4 credits, either semester).
3 MCB
majors need six credits of related coursework in addition to six credits of organic chemistry (CHEM 2443-2444).
Chemistry 2445, Organic Chemistry Laboratory, is required by most medical and dental schools, in addition to CHEM
2443-2444. CHEM 2445 is especially recommended for biology students with strong interests in subcellular areas such as
biochemistry. Other related courses may be from EEB, PNB and MATH as well as other departments.
4
Approximately 25% of UConn undergraduates engage in independent study. Interested students should contact faculty
members in disciplines that interest them to find available lab space. Three credits of MCB 3189, Clinical Research
Laboratory, MCB 3989, Intro to Undergraduate Research, or MCB 4989, Intro to Honors Research, fulfills the requirement
for an MCB lab course.
5
MCB majors must take one laboratory intensive course from among the following: MCB 2225, Cell Biology Laboratory (4
credits, spring semester); MCB 3189, Clinical Research Lab (3 credits, either semester); MCB 3413, Concepts of Genetic
Analysis (4 credits, spring semester); MCB 3414, Experiments in DNA Identification (2 credits, not regularly offered), MCB
3633, Pathogenic Microbiology (4 credits, fall semester), MCB 3640W, Bacterial Diversity & Ecology (4 credits, not regularly
offered), MCB 3989, Introduction to Research (3 credits, either semester), MCB 4026W, Advanced Biochemistry Lab (4
credits, spring semester), MCB 4624, Experiments in Bacterial Genetics (3 credits, spring semester even years), MCB
4989, Introduction to Honors Research (3 credits, either semester).