Biology — Molecular and Cell Biology Emphasis, BS

Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering

101-106 credits

Introduction

Biology is the study of living organisms. As scientists, biologists have three goals: (1) understanding the structure and function of organisms, (2) generating and disseminating reliable data pertaining to biological systems, and (3) developing a deep understanding of the natural world that can inform solutions for the serious environmental, medical, and social concerns facing humanity.

Our goal as educators is to maintain intensive academic programs designed to stimulate curiosity, creativity and life-long critical thinking in students who pursue a liberal arts education in Biology.  All of the B.S. programs in Biology are designed for students who plan to pursue post-graduate study or professional careers in biology or teaching. We have designed these programs to enable students to develop an integrated conceptual foundation in biology, as well as critical thinking skills, quantitative problem-solving abilities, leadership and team-building skills, and scientific research skills.

Each B.S. program features a core curriculum at the 200-level and 300-level, plus one 400-level course in evolution. The primary differences between the emphases lie in the choices of additional upper-division lab and lecture courses that a student takes to 1) gain a depth of knowledge in a focal area, 2) have opportunities to integrate and apply that knowledge in various settings including the lab, the field, and discussions with others, and 3) develop skills and abilities that are tailored to particular interests and career paths.

Why Consider a Molecular and Cell Emphasis in the Biology Major?

The B.S. degree in Molecular and Cell Biology places emphasis on the molecular biology and biochemistry of cell functions. The curriculum provides an effective combination of knowledge in areas that students can apply to many careers in a wide variety of settings, from academia to the biotechnology industry to healthcare. The core biology curriculum at the 200-level and 300-levels is supported by courses in math, physics, and chemistry. In upper-level cell and molecular biology courses students pursue specific topics in more depth and develop the skills and abilities to think critically, undertake complex and quantitative problem solving, engage in scientific discussion and work productively and collaboratively in teams. In addition, laboratory courses offer opportunities to gain hands-on experience in experimental approaches and instrumentation used in modern biological research.

Contact Information

Department Chair Merrill Peterson Biology 315 360-650-3636 merrill.peterson@wwu.edu

Program Coordinators for Advising Maren Brinson and Alexis Donnelly Biology 315 360-650-6165 biologyadvising@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Biomedical Research | Pharmaceutical Research | Bioinformatics | Cell Physiology | Forensic Scientist | Genetic Counseling | Geneticist | Medical Doctor | Educator | Lab Technician

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

The Biology Department has a two-step process for admission into our degree programs. Phase I students are students who have declared their intent to major in biology, and are in the process of completing the introductory biology (BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206) and general chemistry (CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163) series. Admission to Phase II is based on academic performance in the introductory courses, whether taken at Western or as equivalent transfer courses. Students must achieve an average grade of 2.9 or higher in their introductory biology and general chemistry courses before they can advance to Phase II and begin taking upper-division coursework. In addition to meeting the GPA requirement, eligible students must also attend a Phase II Advancement Session before access to 300 and 400 level biology courses will be granted. These sessions are offered once per quarter prior to course registration for the subsequent term. Discussions during this workshop will cover a variety of topics relevant to students in upper level curriculum. Students are encouraged to visit cse.wwu.edu/biology/advising-0 for more detailed information about the major declaration process and the GPA requirement, including our policies concerning course retakes and the requirements for early admission to Phase II.

Biology Phase II status required for admission into 300- and 400-level biology courses for biology majors.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major courses.