Undergraduate Program in Molecular Biology
http://www.biology.wisc.edu/Academic_Programs/Molecular_Biology
LAST REVISED October 2009
Molecular biology is the basic science that seeks an understanding of life processes in terms of the
properties and functions of molecules that make up living cells. The scope of questions addressed in
molecular biology ranges from evolution to development to the regulation of gene expression. A career in
molecular biology requires a strong background in biology as well as in chemistry, mathematics and
physics.
The Molecular Biology Major has been designed for three groups of students: (a) those who plan to enter a
research career in molecular biology or related areas such as biochemistry, genetics, oncology,
microbiology, cell biology or developmental biology; (b) pre-professional students who plan to enter either
a research or clinical career in medicine or allied health fields; and (c) students who plan to teach biology
at the college or secondary school levels. Students with other interests are also welcome, of course.
Career opportunities for students with an undergraduate degree in molecular biology are amazingly
diverse. Graduates of our program have gone into patent law, science reporting, forensics, philosophy,
genetic counseling, veterinary medicine, anthropology, archeology, marine biology and religion.
Major requirements have been set to assure a satisfactory level of competence in the various areas
specified, while still allowing as much flexibility as possible for students to plan their programs. This
major uniquely provides access for the undergraduate interested in life sciences to the extraordinary scope
and strength of biology courses and laboratories on the Madison campus. We hope that students will take
advantage of the advising service available to make a judicious choice of courses, as well as to gain
scholarly experience outside the classroom that will further their career goals.
Students who wish to obtain information about the program or to declare a Molecular Biology Major
should contact the Undergraduate Program in Molecular Biology Student Services office. Advisors are
assigned through the program office and are located in many related departments throughout campus.
Molecular Biology advisors are especially competent to provide counsel regarding the major and career
opportunities in molecular biology.
Student Services
Mary Smith
445 Henry Mall
Room 118C
(608) 262-9690
molecularbiologymajor@icbe.wisc.edu
Chair
Associate Professor Kurt Amann
Zoology Department
335 Bock Laboratories
(608) 265-3150
kjamann@wisc.edu
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
15 Credit Rule
The College of Letters and Science requires that students complete at least 15 credits of course work at the
intermediate or advanced levels in their major IN RESIDENCE. This 15 credit rule is strictly enforced and
is intended to assure that students receiving degrees from UW-Madison have taken a minimum of courses
in their major on the campus with Madison faculty. The Molecular Biology Major allows all courses in 2b,
4b, 4c, 5a-f and 6 to count towards fulfilling the 15-credit rule. Note: A maximum of three credits will be
accepted from Molecular Biology 681, 682, 691, 692 or 699.
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UNDERGRADUATE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MAJOR CURRICULUM
1. MATHEMATICS
Math 221: Calculus and Analytic Geometry OR Math 211: Calculus
AND
Math 222: Calculus and Analytic Geometry OR Math 213: Calculus and Introduction to Differential Equations OR Stat
301: Intro to Statistical Methods OR Stat 371: Intro to Applied Stats for the Life Sciences
2. CHEMISTRY
a.
General and AnalyticChemistrys. Choose one of three options:
Chemistry 109: Advanced General Chemistry AND one semester of Analytical Chemistry: Chemistry 327 OR 329
OR
Chemistry 115 and 116: Chemical Principles (registration for Chem 115 is by consent of instructor only)
OR
Chemistry 103 and 104: General Chemistry AND one semester of Analytical Chemistry: Chemistry 327 OR 329
b.
Organic Chemistry.
Chemistry 343: Introductory Organic Chemistry, Chemistry 344: Introductory Organic Chemistry Lab, and Chemistry
345: Intermediate Organic Chemistry
3. PHYSICS
Physics 201 and 202: General Physics OR Physics 207 and 208: General Physics
4. BIOLOGY
a. General and Genetics. Choose from one of two options. Biocore is highly selective and is based upon applications due in
mid-March. Consult your advisor and the Biocore office. You may pick up an application from the Biocore office (345
Noland Hall), or call 262-5979 for more information.
Biocore/Biology 301: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics
Biocore/Biology 302: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory
Biocore/Biology 303: Cellular Biology
Biocore/Biology 304: Cellular Biology Laboratory
Biocore/Biology 323: Organismal Biology
OR
Biology/Botany/Zoology 151: Introductory Biology
Biology/Botany/Zoology 152: Introductory Biology
Botany/Genetics/Zoology 466: General Genetics
b. Biochemistry. Choose one of the three options below. If students take Biochem 507 & 508, 3 credits count toward
meeting the biochemistry requirement under Biology and the remaining 3 count towards meeting the Advanced
Courses requirement under area E.
Biochemistry 501: Introduction to Biochemistry
Biomolecular Chemistry 503: Human Biochemistry
Biochemistry 507 & 508: General Biochemistry (must take both)
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c. Molecular Biology. Minimum 3 credits. Choose from the list of approved courses below. Laboratory courses or
research fulfill the laboratory/independent research requirement: see 6 below. Please note that no course substitutions will
be authorized for this requirement.
Agronomy/Horticulture 339: Plant Biotechnology, Principles and Techniques I
Agronomy/Horticulture 340: Plant Biotechnology, Principles and Techniques II
Biochemistry /Genetics/ Microbiology 612: Prokaryotic Molecular Biology*
Biochemistry/Pharmacy 620: Eukaryotic Molecular Biology * (2 credits)
Biochemistry/Genetics 703: Topics in Eukaryotic Regulation* (2 credits)
Genetics 545: Genetics Laboratory (2 credits)
Horticulture 500: Molecular Biology Techniques
Horticulture 550: Molecular Approaches for Crop Improvement*
Note: Students declaring Fall 2007 or later may not use Molecular Biology 681-682, 691-692, or 699 to fulfill
requirement 4c.
5. ADVANCED COURSES
(Minimum of two courses, one each from 2 areas, required. Minimum of 6 credits required. Laboratory courses or research
in this category fulfill the laboratory/independent research requirement: see 6 below.)
a.
Development
Botany 500: Plant Physiology*
Zoology 470: Introduction to Animal Development*
Zoology 555: Laboratory in Developmental Biology
Zoology 625: Development of the Nervous System
b.
Microbiology
Botany/Plant Pathology 505: Plant-Microbe Interactions, Molecular and Ecological Aspects*
Botany/Microbiology/Plant Pathology 636: Fungal Ecology and Biotechnology
Microbiology 303: Prokaryotic Microbiology
Microbiology 304: Prokaryotic Microbiology Laboratory
Microbiology 330: Host Parasite Interactions
Microbiology/Plant Pathology 622: Plant Bacterial Interactions*
Microbiology/Oncology/Plant Pathology 640: General Virology*
c.
Genetics
Agronomy/Horticulture 338: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Botany/Genetics/Horticulture 561: Introductory Cytogenetics*
Genetics/Medical Genetics 565: Human Genetics*
Genetics 566: Advanced Genetics
Microbiology 370: Bacterial Genetics
Microbiology/Genetics 607: Advanced Microbial Genetics*
d
Cell Biology [Endocrinology, Neurobiology, Immunology]
Biochemistry/Pharmacology/Zoology 630: Cellular Signal Transduction Mechanisms*
Biocore/Biology 333: Biological Interactions
Human Oncology 640: Biochemical Mechanisms of Tumor Promotion and Progression*
Oncology 401: Experimental Oncology
Medical Microbiology and Immunology 341: Immunology
Medical Microbiology and Immunology/Microbiology 528: Immunology
Neuroscience/ Zoology 523: Neurobiology*
Pathology 750: Pathobiology of Disease
Zoology 570: Cell Biology*
Zoology 572: Laboratory in Cell Biology
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Biochemistry and Physical Chemistry
Biochemistry/Nutritional Sciences 510: Biochemical Principles of Human and Animal Nutrition
Biochemistry 550: Topics in Medical Biochemistry*
Biochemistry/Botany 621: Plant Biochemistry*
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Biochemistry 651: Biochemical Methods*
Chemistry 561: Physical Chemistry*
Chemistry 565: Biophysical Chemistry*
Physiology 533: Molecular Physiology
f
Quantitative and Computational Sciences
Biostatistics & Medical Informatics/Computer Sciences 576: Introduction to Bioinformatics*
Biostatistics & Medical Informatics/Computer Sciences 776: Advanced Bioinformatics*
Botany 563: Phylogenetic Analysis of Molecular Data
Computer Sciences/Industrial Engineering/Math 425: Introduction to Combinational Optimization*
Forest/Horticulture/Statistics 571: Statistical Methods for Bioscience I*
Forest/Horticulture/Statistics 572: Statistical Methods for Bioscience II*
Statistics 333: Applied Regression Analysis
Statistics 541: Introduction to Biostatistics*
*Courses so designated may be used to satisfy the requirements for Honors in Molecular Biology.
6. Laboratory Courses or Independent Research
There are several ways to complete the requirement for a laboratory experience in molecular biology. These include several
laboratory courses as well as research experience offered either in the form of an independent study project or a research
thesis. Although research experience is not required for the non-honors major, students are encouraged to take advantage of
the opportunity UW-Madison’s research community offers. Those who wish to complete a research thesis or project are
invited to take Molecular Biology Senior Thesis 691-692 (681-682 for Honors Students) or Directed Studies 699 in
Molecular Biology. Students intending to enroll in Molecular Biology 681 & 682, 691 & 692, or 699 should pick up the
appropriate forms from the Molecular Biology Office (445 Henry Mall, Room 118) or online at
http://www.biology.wisc.edu/Academic_Programs/Molecular_Biology/Courses/index.asp. Hilldale and Honors fellowships
are available for summer research usually between the junior and senior years. Hilldale information is available at the
Undergraduate Academic Awards Office, 271 Bascom Hall. Honors fellowship information is available at the College of
Letters & Science Honors Program Office, 415 South Hall.
At least one course from Biology 4c or the selections from the Advanced Courses menu must be a laboratory course or
provide independent, laboratory-based research experience (min., 2 credits). Choose from the list of approved courses below.
If a Senior Thesis or Directed Studies project is not a laboratory-based research experience, the student must meet this
requirement by completing a laboratory course.
Molecular Biology 699: Directed Studies
Molecular Biology 691 and 692: Senior Thesis
Molecular Biology 681 and 682: Senior Honors Thesis
Biomolecular Chemistry 504: Human Biochemistry Lab
Biochemistry 651: Biochemical Methods
Horticulture 500: Molecular Biology Techniques
Microbiology 304: Prokaryotic Microbiology Laboratory
Zoology 572: Lab in Cell Biology
Note: A DARS Report may be requested at any point in your undergraduate career. The DARS Report outlines your status
with regard to basic degree requirements and major course and quality of work requirements. It is essential that you have a
correct DARS report prior to the beginning of the last two semesters in residence to allow for proper program planning. A
DARS report can be requested from My UW-Madison (http://my.wisc.edu/) under the Student Records tab.
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A SUGGESTED STUDY PROGRAM FOR THE MAJOR
Freshman Year
Semester I
Math
General Chemistry
Sophomore Year
Semester I
General Biology
Organic Chemistry
Junior Year
Semester I
Physics
General Biology
Chemistry (if needed)
Senior Year
Semester I
Molecular Biology or Advanced Course
Semester II
Math
General/Analytical Chemistry
Semester II
General Biology
Organic Chemistry
Semester II
Physics
Biochemistry
Semester II
Molecular Biology or Advanced Course
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MAJOR HONORS REQUIREMENTS
The Honors student in Molecular Biology is one who wishes to prepare for graduate or professional school in the most
rigorous and challenging ways available on our campus. For the Honors student in Molecular Biology, our faculty
endeavor to provide enriching academic opportunities: these include a selection from the list of Advanced courses that
represent some of the most challenging courses the Madison campus has to offer, opportunities to interact directly with
faculty in both research and other scholarly ways, and student-driven opportunities to share experiences and intellectual
stimulation with other Honors students. Typically, Honors students will seek admission to Honors in Molecular
Biology during the sophomore or early in the junior year. Students will be awarded their degree with Honors in
Molecular Biology if they:
1. Complete all requirements for the major with a GPA in the major of 3.5 and an overall GPA of 3.3,
2. Complete the requirement for Molecular Biology (4c) and Advanced Courses (5) from a list of courses approved for
Honors (approved courses are designated by * in this brochure),
3. Register for Molecular Biology 681 and 682 for two semesters between the completion of the second semester as a
Junior and the end of the semester of graduation and during this period complete an acceptable Senior Honors
Thesis in Molecular Biology, and
4. Complete one semester of a senior seminar (1 credit) in Molecular Biology or an approved graduate seminar.
SUGGESTED HONORS STUDY PROGRAM
Freshman Year
Semester I
Math
General Chemistry
Sophomore Year
Semester I
General Biology
Organic Chemistry
Junior Year
Semester I
Physics
General Biology
Senior Year
Semester I
Molecular Biology Advanced Course
Senior Honors Thesis
Semester II
Math
General/Analytical Chemistry
Semester II
General Biology
Organic Chemistry
Semester II
Physics
Biochemistry
Semester II
Molecular Biology Advanced Course
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Honors Seminar
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Advisors:
KURT AMANN
Chair of the Major
Zoology
NIHAL AHMAD
Dermatology
PAUL BERTICS
Biomolecular Chemistry
ZSUZA FABRY
Pathology & Lab Medicine
MARCIN FILUTOWICZ
Bacteriology
THOMAS GERMAN
Entomology
JAMES MALTER
Pathology & Lab Medicine
THOMAS F. J. MARTIN
Biochemistry
KATHERINE McMAHON
Civil &Environmental Engineering
LINDA SCHULER
Comparative Biosciences
AHNA SKOP
Genetics
kjamann@wisc.edu
335 Bock Laboratories
265-3150
nahmad@dermatology.wisc.edu
432 Medical Sciences Center
263-5359
pbertics@wisc.edu
571 Medical Sciences Center
262-8667
zfabry@wisc.edu
6130 Medical Sciences Center
265-8716
msfiluto@wisc.edu
256 Microbial Sciences Bldg
262-6947
tlg@entomology.wisc.edu
637 Russell Labs
262-2956
jsmalter@wisc.edu
T509 Waisman Cntr
263-6043
tfmartin@wisc.edu
241b Biochemistry Addition
263-2427
tmcmahon@engr.wisc.edu
3204 Engineering Hall
263-3137
schuler1@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
4354B Veterinary Medicine
263-9825
skop@wisc.edu
2426 Genetics Biotech
262-1593
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Note: Please bring a current DARS report when you meet with an advisor.
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