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Cell Molecular Biology

Bachelor of Science

Degree Type:
B.S.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Department:
Biology
Prepare for the next generation of careers in medicine, biotechnology, and laboratory science. 

Vaccine development. Gene editing. Cancer treatments. Today’s great biological advances emerge from insight of how life happens at the cellular and molecular level. This exciting major gives you plenty of hands-on lab experience as you explore the fundamentals of biology and chemistry.

  • 98% Acceptance rate for students entering medical or health professional schools

  • 90% of students complete two or more high-impact learning experiences (such as research or internships)

  • 8-12 Students in upper-level lab classes

  • 700+ Biomedical companies in Cleveland, a world-renowned hub of innovation

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.

Program Overview & Outcomes

Biology’s biggest questions are most often answered at the cell and molecular level, and that’s what makes this field of study so exciting. The research starts here!

JCU’s cellular and molecular biology major offers solid preparation for medical and pharmacy school, as well as for graduate programs in the life sciences. It’s also an ideal major for students interested in careers in biotechnology and biomedical research. No matter what your plans are after graduation, your dedicated academic advisor will help you see it through.

  • Required Major Courses

    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 of four 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.

    Principles of Biology II

    3-4 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.

    Biotechnology

    3 Credits

    BL2150

    Get hands-on with DNA technology, mastering techniques like cloning and PCR to unlock the secrets of genetics and protein analysis.

    Biotechnology Laboratory

    0 Credits

    BL2155

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

    Molecular Cell Biology

    3 Credits

    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.

    Molecular Genetics

    3 Credits

    BL4650

    Three hours of lecture per week. Gene and genome analysis; genome organization; transposable elements; chromosome structure; replication and expression of genetic information with emphasis on eukaryotes. Reading and analysis of current primary literature. Prerequisite: BL213 or BL2130 (min grade B-) or permission of instructor.

  • Biochemistry

    General Biochemistry

    4 Credits

    CH4310

    Dive into the molecular world! Study proteins, enzymes, and metabolism, equipping yourself with biochemistry knowledge vital for advanced science careers.

    Biochemistry I

    3 Credits

    CH4350

    Construct a solid foundation in biochemistry by studying protein structure, enzyme function, and molecular genetics, with hands-on lab experiences.

    Biochemistry Laboratory

    1 Credits

    CH4370

    Perform protein isolation and analysis while exploring biochemistry techniques like chromatography and electrophoresis in a lab setting.

  • Supporting Courses

    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 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 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 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

    Write organic reactions like a pro, from alkanes to alkynes, while mastering stereochemistry and nucleophilic substitutions—perfect for future chemists!

    Organic Chemistry Ii

    3 Credits

    CH2220

    Engineer complex organic compounds with advanced studies in reactions, mechanisms, and spectroscopic analysis to elevate your chemistry expertise.

    Organic Chemistry I

    1 Credits

    CH2230

    Perform hands-on organic chemistry labs to synthesize, isolate, and analyze compounds while honing your lab techniques for real-world applications.

    Organic Chemistry Ii

    1 Credits

    CH2240

    Conduct hands-on organic chemistry experiments to master essential lab techniques and gain insight into the properties and reactions of organic compounds.

    General Physics I

    3 Credits

    PH1250

    Apply physics concepts in mechanics, thermodynamics, and more, tailored for future biology and health professionals seeking a strong scientific foundation.

    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.

    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.

  • Statistics

    Statistics for Biological Sciences

    3 Credits

    DATA2280

    Apply statistical analysis in biological contexts, mastering R software for data exploration, hypothesis testing, and understanding variance to drive informed scientific conclusions.

    Intermediate Statistics with Spss

    3 Credits

    DATA2600

    Master intermediate statistical methods using SPSS, covering everything from power analysis to linear regression, to enhance your data skills.

    Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

    4 Credits

    MT1350

    Build a solid foundation in calculus, mastering limits, differentiation, and integrals to solve real-world problems with precision.

  • Sample Electives

    Principles of Biology III

    3 Credits

    BL1700

    For science majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Biodiversity and evolutionary relationships among living organisms. Prerequisite: BL156 or BL1500. Corequisite: BL1705.

    Principles of Biology Laboratory III

    1 Credits

    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.

    Undergraduate Biology Research

    1-3 Credits

    BL2950

    Independent research performed under the direction of a Biology faculty member. May be repeated, but a maximum of 3 credits of BL2950, BL3980, and BL3990 combined will be accepted for any of the biology majors. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, and BL158 or BL1605 and permission of instructor.

    Developmental Biology

    3 Credits

    BL3020

    Three hours of lecture per week. Molecular, genetic, and cellular mechanisms of animal development. Emphasis on experimental techniques. Prerequisites: BL155 or BL1500, BL156 or BL1600, and BL213 or BL2130.

    Microbiology

    4 Credits

    BL3100

    Two hours of lecture per week. Structure, physiology, and genetics of bacteria; ecological and medical importance emphasized. Discussion of viruses and eukaryotic microorganisms. Prerequisite: BL213 or BL2130. Corequisite: BL3105.

    Medical Microbiology

    3 Credits

    BL4100

    Bacterial and viral pathogens of humans and those aspects of the immune response important in resistance and immunity to infectious diseases. Prerequisite: BL 2130 or BL 213.

    Immunology

    3 Credits

    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.

    Endocrinology

    3 Credits

    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.

  • Concentration: Neuroscience

    Medical Physiology

    4 Credits

    BL3600

    Integrate biological functions of the human body to maintain homeostasis, emphasizing key systems and their regulation in health and disease.

    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

    Discover how psychotropic drugs influence behavior and emotions, focusing on treatments for various psychological conditions.

    Advanced Research Topics in Neuroscience

    3 Credits

    PS4895

    Conduct original neuroscience research by designing and executing your project, shaping the future of your academic journey through independent study.

    Biochemistry II

    3 Credits

    CH4360

    Gain hands-on insights into bioenergetics, metabolism, and physiological processes while mastering the links between hormones, genes, and nutrition.

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JCU's Distinct Promise

Pathways are just the beginning.
Onward makes them happen.

From your first semester forward, Onward connects your goals with the people, experiences, and support that help you build momentum with purpose.

Watch the Story

Quincy's Story

Starting in his first semester at John Carroll, Quincy Unger '26 found a team who helped him shape his ideas, find the right opportunities, and launch his own business.

Discover Onward

Complementary Minors

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

  • “I was able to spend summer 2024 doing research abroad in Spain, becoming not only a better biologist, but a better individual as a whole.”

    Hailey Whitten

Career Opportunities

Our graduates work at leading organizations including:

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