Molecular and Cellular Biology (BS) (2024)

Program at a Glance

Program
Bachelor
College(s)
College of Medicine
Department(s)
Biomedical Sciences
  • In State Tuition
  • Out of State Tuition

$212.28 per credit hour

$748.89 per credit hour

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

Molecular and Cellular Biology (BS) (1)

Admission Requirements

  • Students who declare this major come in on a "Pending" status.
  • In order for students to transition out of "Pending" status, students must earn a "C" or better in each of the following courses or their equivalents: BSC 2010C, CHM 2045C, CHM 2046, CHM 2210; and earn a "B" or better in BSC 3403C

Degree Requirements

  • Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
  • Students should complete the General Education Program before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System.
  • Grades below "C" in Common Program Prerequisites, Core Requirements and Restricted Electives are not accepted.
  • Students in undergraduate majors within the College of Medicine are expected to consistently make good progress towards their degrees. Therefore, the COM/BSBS Progress Policy mandates that undergraduate students meet the requirements of the policy. Below are the specific requirements of the Progress Policy:
    • Students who earned 5 low grades (C-, D, F, NC, U) will be placed on a probationary status. Students who earn 8 or more low grades (C-, D, F, NC, U) will be excluded from all COM majors.
    • Students with 2 unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will be placed on a probationary status. Students with 3 unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will be excluded from all COM majors.
  • Students in this program must maintain a minimum core science/math GPA of 3.0 to maintain status in the program. The courses including in this GPA include all courses in the Common Program Prerequisites, Core requirements (Advanced level) and Restricted electives. Students who are unable to maintain such GPA, the student will have to revert back into the Biomedical Sciences B.S.
  • Students should consult with a BSBS academic advisor at least once per semester.

While many students discover that they have interests in varied disciplines at the University of Central Florida, they are not permitted to pursue two majors within the College of Medicine. College of Medicine students may declare a major and a minor within the college or pursue a second major or minor in another academic college at UCF. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to discuss these opportunities.

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

  • Freshmen
  • Transfers
  • International

Fall
May 1

Spring
November 1

Summer
March 1

Fall
March 1

Spring
September 1

Summer
January 1

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University of Central Florida Colleges

Burnett HonorsArts and HumanitiesBusinessCommunity Innovation and EducationEngineering and Computer ScienceGraduate StudiesHealth Professions and SciencesNursingOptics and PhotonicsSciencesUndergraduate StudiesHospitality Management

Admission Requirements

  • Students who declare this major come in on a "Pending" status.
  • In order for students to transition out of "Pending" status, students must earn a "C" or better in each of the following courses or their equivalents: BSC 2010C, CHM 2045C, CHM 2046, CHM 2210; and earn a "B" or better in BSC 3403C

Degree Requirements

  • Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
  • Students should complete the General Education Program before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System.
  • Grades below "C" in Common Program Prerequisites, Core Requirements and Restricted Electives are not accepted.
  • Students in undergraduate majors within the College of Medicine are expected to consistently make good progress towards their degrees. Therefore, the COM/BSBS Progress Policy mandates that undergraduate students meet the requirements of the policy. Below are the specific requirements of the Progress Policy:
    • Students who earned 5 low grades (C-, D, F, NC, U) will be placed on a probationary status. Students who earn 8 or more low grades (C-, D, F, NC, U) will be excluded from all COM majors.
    • Students with 2 unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will be placed on a probationary status. Students with 3 unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will be excluded from all COM majors.
  • Students in this program must maintain a minimum core science/math GPA of 3.0 to maintain status in the program. The courses including in this GPA include all courses in the Common Program Prerequisites, Core requirements (Advanced level) and Restricted electives. Students who are unable to maintain such GPA, the student will have to revert back into the Biomedical Sciences B.S.
  • Students should consult with a BSBS academic advisor at least once per semester.

While many students discover that they have interests in varied disciplines at the University of Central Florida, they are not permitted to pursue two majors within the College of Medicine. College of Medicine students may declare a major and a minor within the college or pursue a second major or minor in another academic college at UCF. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to discuss these opportunities.

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements: Basic Level

15 Total Credits No Rules

Math and Statistics

7 Total Credits

  • Complete all of the following
    • Complete the following:
      • STA2023 - Statistical Methods I (3)
      • MAC2311C - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4)
    • GEP Course: MAC 2311C

Chemistry

8 Total Credits

  • Complete the following:
    • CHM2210 - Organic Chemistry I (3)
    • CHM2211 - Organic Chemistry II (3)
    • CHM2211L - Organic Laboratory Techniques I (2)

Core Requirements: Advanced Level

36 - 40 Total Credits

  • Complete all of the following
    • Complete the following:
      • PCB4529C - Experimental Molecular Cell Biology (4)
      • BSC3403C - Quantitative Biological Methods (4)
      • PCB3023 - Molecular Cell Biology (3)
      • PCB3522 - Molecular Biology I (3)
      • PCB3233L - Immunology Laboratory (1)
    • Complete at least 1 of the following:
      • PCB3063 - Genetics (3)
      • PCB4663 - Human Genetics (3)
    • Required:
    • Complete the following:
      • PCB4280 - Molecular Immunology (3)
      • PCB4524 - Molecular Biology II (3)
    • Complete at least 1 of the following:
      • BCH4024 - Medical Biochemistry (4)
      • BCH4053 - Biochemistry I (3)

Restricted Electives

9 - 12 Total Credits

  • Complete all of the following
    • Students must choose three (3)restricted electives from the list below.
    • At least one (1) of these restricted elective courses must have a laboratory component.
    • As an alternative to one of these restricted electives, students can take one of the following courses or programs to substitute for one (1) restricted elective course with a laboratory component. PILOT (Peer Instruction and Laboratory Occupational Training) PURE (Program for Undergraduate Research Experience) MCB 4920 GEAR (Group Effort Applied Research) MCB 4970H HIM thesis As an alternative to one of these restricted electives, students can take one of the following courses or programs to substitute for one (1) restricted elective course. MCB 3903 Explorations in Biomedical Science MCB 3933 Careers in Biomedical Science
    • Additional restricted electives can be taken as approved by the associate director.
    • Complete at least 3 of the following:
      • PCB4028 - Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (3)
      • PCB4234 - Cancer Biology (3)
      • BSC4434 - Biomedical Informatics: Sequence Analysis (3)
      • MCB4224 - Molecular Biology of Diseases (3)
      • MCB4721C - Methods in Biotechnology (4)
      • PCB4663 - Human Genetics (3)
      • PCB4174 - Foundation of Bio-Imaging Science (3)
      • PCB3703C - Human Physiology (4)
      • PCB4521 - Tissue Engineering (3)
      • PCB4264 - Stem Cell Biology (3)
      • PCB4284 - Immunobiology (3)
      • PCB4813 - Molecular Aspects of Obesity, Diabetes & Metabolism (3)
      • ZOO3744 - Neurobiology (3)
      • PCB4805 - Endocrinology (3)
      • PCB4832 - Cellular and Molecular Basis of Brain Functions (3)
      • PCB4833 - Advanced Human Physiology (3)
      • PCB4843 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3)
      • ZOO4742 - Advanced Neurobiology (3)
      • ZOO4753C - Human Histology (4)

Grand Total Credits: 51 - 55

Capstone Requirements

  • None

Electives

  • Variable. Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research if interested in pursuing graduate or professional education.

Foreign Language Requirements

Admissions

  • Two years of one foreign language in high school or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.

Graduation

  • None

Additional Requirements

  • None

Required Minors

  • None

Departmental Exit Requirements

  • Students must complete all coursework in the baccalaureate curriculum as shown and a GPA of at least 3.0 in the sciences.
  • Independent study, directed research or similar credit may not be used as a restricted elective.
  • A minimum of 20 hours must be taken at UCF in the department of the major.
  • Students will be required to take a comprehensive test during their last semester.

University Minimum Exit Requirements

  • A 2.0 UCF GPA
  • 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed
  • 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
  • 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
  • A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
  • Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.

Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120

Honors In Major

Application and admission through the Department and the Burnett Honors College.

Fulfill University requirements for Honors in the Major and maintain a 3.2 UCF GPA; 3.5 in the major; 3.2 cumulative average for graded upper division courses regardless of institution.

Honors Thesis (3 Credit Hours)

Complete the following with a grade of B or better and successfully complete the oral defense of the Honors Thesis

  • MCB 4970H - Honors Undergraduate Thesis II

Additional Information

Related Programs

  • Biology (B. S.)

  • Biotechnology (B.S.)
  • Medical Laboratory Sciences (B. S.)
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Track (B.S.)
  • Biomedical Sciences (B.S.)
  • Molecular Microbiology (B.S.)

Certificates

  • None

Related Minors

  • Biology Minor
  • Chemistry Minor

Advising Notes

  • None

Transfer Notes

  • Students who begin a two-semester sequence course (e. g. General Chemistry) at a Florida College System institution are strongly encouraged to complete the sequence before transferring. If it will not be possible to complete the sequence before transferring, the student should postpone beginning the course until enrolling at UCF.
  • Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.

Program Academic Learning Compacts

  • Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm

Equipment Fees

  • Part-Time Student: $38 per term
  • Full-Time Student: $79 per term
Molecular and Cellular Biology (BS) (2024)

FAQs

Is cell and molecular biology hard? ›

One aspect that makes biochemistry and molecular biology difficult is that they draw on knowledge from other disciplines – most heavily from biology, which provides the relevance; but also chemistry, which provides the molecular understanding; and to a certain extent mathematics and physics (see Figure 2.2).

Is cellular and molecular biology a good degree? ›

A bachelor degree in cell and molecular biology is seen as relevant to a huge number of possible jobs; it could be used when applying for medical schools, dental schools, or even law school, if looking to specialize in patent law or legislation regarding science.

What can you do with a BS in cell and molecular biology? ›

The Cell and Molecular option prepares students for graduate programs or careers as research associates in a variety of fields (e.g., medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural or biotechnology) in academic, governmental or industrial labs, or in a variety of similar settings.

How hard is it to major in molecular biology? ›

Overall, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology can be demanding, but it is also highly rewarding if you're passionate about the subject. The key is staying engaged, developing strong relationships with your professors, and actively seeking out opportunities to grow within the field.

What is the hardest biology degree? ›

Molecular and cell biology is another broad major, focusing on basic molecular principles and cellular systems. Course requirements include calculus, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology labs. The laboratory and cellular focus is what makes this major so challenging.

What is the hardest topic in biology? ›

Protista, Monera, and Virus were the first, second, and third most difficult topics in X grade. Genetics, Immune System, and Metabolism also selected into three topics of all grades that were considered most difficult by undergraduate students majoring in Biology.

Can a molecular biologist be a doctor? ›

Yes, a biologist can become a medical doctor (MD) with the appropriate education and training.

Do you need to be good at math for molecular biology? ›

“Biology is very, very complicated and different areas of math can be applied to solve different types of problems in molecular biology,” said Arsuaga, a professor with joint appointments in the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Why choose cellular and molecular biology? ›

The Concentration in the Cellular and Molecular Biology is designed to prepare you for careers in the laboratory sciences and for admission into graduate research program and clinical laboratory programs.

Can you go to medical school with a molecular biology degree? ›

Biology majors can specialize in areas such as molecular biology, immunology, or microbiology. As a biology student, you will gain valuable laboratory experience that can help you in medical school.

What is a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology? ›

The bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology provides a solid foundation in the life sciences for students seeking careers in medicine, government, or entry-level positions in biotechnology as well as the pharmaceutical industry. The degree also serves as a basis for graduate studies in biology.

What does a molecular and cellular biologist do? ›

Molecular and cellular biologists, also known as biological scientists and life scientists, study the processes and codes of cells and molecules in humans, microorganisms, plants, and animals. They aim to understand the organization and function of cellular components.

Do molecular biologists make a lot of money? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $131,500 and as low as $46,000, the majority of Molecular Biologist salaries currently range between $62,500 (25th percentile) to $92,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $116,500 annually across the United States.

Is molecular biology in high demand? ›

Molecular Biologists are always in demand in multiple sectors. However, you will find that there are fewer lecturing and teaching roles available compared with postdoctoral research jobs in academia.

What is the hardest branch of biology? ›

Molecular Cell Biology is one of the hardest biology degrees to study, and biology in itself is a very challenging discipline. Studying molecular cell biology is like learning a new language, as there is an incredibly complex vocabulary to describe the structure and function of life at the molecular level.

Is cell biology harder than microbiology? ›

Cell biology is the study of cell structure and function, and it revolves around the concept that the cell is the fundamental unit of life. Focusing on the cell permits a detailed understanding of the tissues and organisms that cells compose.

What do you study in cell and molecular biology? ›

Study the mechanisms of cellular interactions and genetic controls in plants and animals. Study the structure and function of microbes. Learn the techniques used to study genetic function, gene mapping and genome analysis.

How easy is cell biology? ›

I have also taken both cell biology and biochem and found them both to be roughly equal in difficulty. There was a lot of memorization, but the exams focused largely on experimental methods and concept.

References

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