2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin

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Cell and Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science

The Cell and Molecular Biology major is an in-depth exploration of the underlying chemistry and molecular biology in living cells. The cell is the basic unit of living things and so it is impossible to understand life without understanding cells. The major begins with the foundational science courses common to any degree in the chemical or life sciences: chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, calculus, and physics, with required laboratory work throughout. Then, students take a required core of more advanced courses: cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. While completing the biology core, students select five elective courses that suit their interests and future career goals such as microbiology, human physiology, forensic anthropology, and the list continues to grow each year. Finally, the major includes an advanced capstone experience which brings all of these courses together in the study of a specific research area in the biomedical sciences. Students in this major are well-prepared for a variety of careers and graduate programs including PhD programs in the life sciences, medical school, and related professional degrees.

Learning Outcomes. Students who successfully complete the Cell and Molecular Biology major will be able to:

  • Understand the mathematical, chemical, and physical components of living systems
  • Describe the basic cellular and molecular processes that underlie living organisms
  • Engage the scientific methodology, experimentation, and theory unique to cellular and molecular biology
  • Communicate scientific knowledge, experimentation, and ideas effectively in oral and written forms
  • Demonstrate advanced and thorough knowledge of at least one specialized sub-discipline of Biology


Admission Requirements. To be admitted to the Cell and Molecular Biology major, students must have at least an 81 CAA (high school academic average) and one of the following:

  1. took New York State Chemistry Regents Exam; OR
  2. took the AP Chemistry Exam; OR
  3. earned at least 3.5 units of High School Mathematics; OR
  4. earned at least a score of 50 on the CLEP Chemistry exam.

Students who do not meet above criteria can attend John Jay with an undeclared major and take introductory science and mathematics courses to achieve admission to the major by performing very well in these courses.

Students who wish to transfer into the Cell and Molecular Biology major must have earned a Mathematics/Science GPA of 2.5 or higher in science major courses to be admitted. Transfer students from a non-science major will need to meet the criteria stated above.

Credits required. 66-69  (or more depending on math placement)

Prerequisite information. To be placed into BIO 103, students must take a Biology placement exam AND must be majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. In addition,  MAT 105, OR MAT 141 OR MAT 241 or higher is a pre or co-requisite for BIO 103.

To be placed into CHE 103,  students must take a Chemistry placement exam AND must be majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology.

Note. At least two science courses count as STEM variants to satisfy the Common Core general education requirements. If students are exempt from the foreign language requirement, they can use three credits of science towards Common Core.

Depending on mathematics placement, students may need to take MAT 105 and MAT 141 as prerequisites for the required calculus course, MAT 241. Either prerequisite course can satisfy the Required Core: Math and Quantitative Reasoning category of the Gen Ed program.

Coordinator. Professor Jason Rauceo. Department of Science (646-557-4893, jrauceo@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advising resources. Sample Four-year Plan of Study

PART ONE. GENERAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Required

BIO 103Modern Biology I

5
BIO 104Modern Biology II

4
CHE 103General Chemistry I

5
CHE 104General Chemistry II

4
CHE 201Organic Chemistry I

4
CHE 202Organic Chemistry II

4
MAT 241Calculus I

3
MAT 301Probability & Mathematical Statistics I

3
PHY 101College Physics I (Liberal Arts Physics)

4
PHY 102College Physics II (Liberal Arts Physics)

4

BIO 101 + BIO 102 may be taken in place of BIO 103
CHE 101 + CHE 102 may be taken in place of CHE 103
PHY 203 + PHY 204 can substitute for PHY 101 + PHY 102

Total Credit Hours: 40

PART TWO. BIOLOGY CORE

Required
BIO 205Eukaryotic Cell Biology

3
BIO 315Genetics

3
BIO 412Molecular Biology

4
CHE 315Biochemistry

4

Total Credit Hours: 14

PART THREE. BIOLOGY ELECTIVES

Choose 4-5 courses. At least 1, but not more than 2, lab courses are required. Students must complete at least 12 credits of electives.

BIO 211Microbiology

3
BIO 255Biology of Gender & Sexuality

3
BIO 355Human Physiology

3
BIO 413Forensic DNA Analysis and Interpretation

4
BIO 488Cell and Molecular Biology Capstone Course

3
TOX 313Toxicology of Environmental and Industrial Agents

3
Note: BIO 488 may be taken as an elective only if FOS 402 is taken as the capstone. Consult the major coordinator.

Lab only choices

BIO 212Microbiology Lab

2
BIO 356Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory

2

Total Credit Hours: 12-14


PART FOUR. CAPSTONE COURSE

Choose one

BIO 488Cell and Molecular Biology Capstone Course

3
FOS 402Undergraduate Research Internship

3
Note: If FOS 402 is completed for the capstone, students can take BIO 488 as an elective. Consult the major coordinator.

Total Credit Hours: 3


Total Credit Hours: 66-69