Loyola University Chicago

Department of Biology

BS in Biology with Molecular Biology Emphasis

The recent rapid advances in the areas of genetics, molecular biology and related biotechnologies have created a strong demand for college graduates with specialized training in these areas. Hands-on experience in the use of the latest techniques is particularly important to this training.

The BS in Biology with molecular biology emphasis program is designed for students seeking a rigorous, laboratory-intensive curriculum to prepare them for health-related professions, research jobs or graduate programs in a number of areas related to molecular biology.

This specialized Biology major requires 37 credit hours including 11 required Biology courses (26–29 credit hours) and Biology elective courses (7-11 credit hours) plus cognate courses in Calculus, Chemistry and Physics. This track allows students to receive the strong background in fundamental biology required of all majors, while also specializing in the area of molecular biology. Students will follow the program outlined below.

Biology Courses: Required

26–29 credit hours

  • BIOL 101 General Biology I (3)
  • BIOL 111 General Biology I Lab (1)
  • BIOL 102 General Biology II (3)
  • BIOL 112 General Biology II Lab (1)
  • BIOL 251 Cell Biology (3)
  • BIOL 265 Ecology (3)
  • BIOL 282 Genetics (3)
  • BIOL 283 Genetics Lab (1)
  • BIOL 366 Cell Physiology and Biochemistry (3)

ONE of the following:

  • BIOL 382 Molecular Genetics (3)
  • BIOL 387 Genomics (3)
  • BIOL 388 Bioinformatics (3)

ONE of the following:

  • BIOL 366L Biochemistry Lab (2)
  • BIOL 390 Molecular Biology Lab (4)
  • BIOL 391 Forensic Molecular Biology (5)
  • BIOL 396 Research (3)
  • BIOL 398 Internship (1–3)

*Topics must be approved by Biology Department

Biology Courses: Electives

8–11 credit hours

  • BIOL 252 Cell Biology Lab (1)
  • BIOL 302 Microbiology (4)
  • BIOL 314 Advanced Microbiology (3)
  • BIOL 315 Immunology (4)
  • BIOL 317 Models of Human Diseases (3)
  • BIOL 318 General Virology (3)
  • BIOL 319 Evolution (3)
  • BIOL 366L Biochemistry Lab (2)**
  • BIOL 377 Molecular Pathogenesis (3)
  • BIOL 381 Epigenetics (3)
  • BIOL 382 Molecular Genetics (3)**
  • BIOL 387 Genomics (3) **
  • BIOL 388 Bioinformatics (3)**
  • BIOL 390 Molecular Biology Lab (4) **
  • BIOL 391 Forensic Molecular Biology (5) **
  • BIOL 396 Research (Capstone Course)
  • BIOL 398 Internship (Capstone Course) (1–3) **

** If not taken as a requirement

Chemistry

16 credit hours

  • CHEM 101 General Chemistry A (3) *
  • CHEM 111 General Chemistry Lab A (1)
  • CHEM 102 General Chemistry B (3) *
  • CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab B (1)
  • CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry A (3) **
  • CHEM 225 Organic Chemistry Lab A (1)
  • CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry B (3) **
  • CHEM 226 Organic Chemistry Lab B (1)

*OR CHEM 105, CHEM 106
**OR CHEM 221, CHEM 222

Mathematics

6 credit hours

  • MATH 131 OR 161 Calculus I (3/4)
  • MATH 132 OR 162 Calculus II (3/4)

Physics

8 credit hours

  • PHYS 111 Physics I (PHYS 111K or PHYS 125 may be substituted) (3/3/4)
  • PHYS 111L Physics Lab I (1)
  • PHYS 112 Physics II (PHYS 112K or PHYS 126 may be substituted) (3/3/4)
  • PHYS 112L Physics Lab II (1)

Suggested Course Sequence

The biology department recommends that students pursuing the BS in Biology with Molecular Biology Emphasis complete their required classes in the following sequence. Requirements include courses in Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Mathematics (MATH) and Physics (PHYS):

First SemesterCredit HrsSecond SemesterCredit Hrs
BIOL 101, 111
CHEM 101, 111
MATH 131
4
4
3
BIOL 102, 112
CHEM 102, 112
MATH 132
4
4
3
Third SemesterCredit HrsFourth SemesterCredit Hrs
BIOL 251
BIOL 265
CHEM 223, 225
3
3
4
BIOL 282
BIOL 283
CHEM 224, 226
3
1
4
Fifth SemesterCredit HrsSixth SemesterCredit Hrs
BIOL Elective (Molecular)
BIOL Elective (Molecular)
PHYS 111, 111L
2–5
2–5
4
BIOL 366
BIOL 382 or 387 or 388
PHYS 112, 112L
3
3
4
Seventh SemesterCredit HrsEighth SemesterCredit Hrs
BIOL Lab 366L or 390 or
391 or 396 or 398
2–5 BIOL Elective (Molecular)
BIOL Elective (Molecular)
2–5
2–5

 

http://www.luc.edu/biology/bsinbiology/bsinbiologywithmolecularbiologyemphasis/#req