2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/molecular-cellular-biology-bslas/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciencesin Molecular & Cellular Biology

The Molecular and Cellular Biology major provides students with a solid preparation in molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, cellular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and structural biology. Students will also acquire a strong background in chemistry, math and physical sciences. After completion of the core curriculum in MCB, students may complete the required advanced course work by taking a variety of MCB courses or by selecting a more focused group of courses in any of the following areas: biochemistry, cells and tissues, developmental biology, infection and immunity, microbiology, genetics, neurobiology and physiology. The MCB Advising Program (MAP) staff is available to help students plan their combination of advanced courses.

For students interested in adding licensure to the BSLAS in Molecular & Cellular Biology, please visit the Biology Teaching page.

Undergraduate degree programs in Molecular & Cellular Biology

• Biochemistry, BS
• Molecular & Cellular Biology, BSLAS
• Molecular & Cellular Biology Honors Concentration, BSLAS
• Molecular & Cellular Biology + Data Science, BSLAS
• Neuroscience, BSLAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Molecular & Cellular Biology

Certain advanced courses may be taken prior to completion of the MCB 250, MCB 253, MCB 354 sequence with permission of an academic advisor. A minimum of 15 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in MCB from the approved list is required.

In addition, undergraduate research (MCB 290, or departmental equivalent) is strongly recommended for students planning to go to graduate school. No more than 10 hours of MCB 290, or departmental equivalent credit may be counted towards the 120 hours required for a degree in MCB.

Students earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not also earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry.

Students earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology may not double major in Integrative Biology.

Distinction

Students in MCB can qualify for Distinction via one of the following:

Distinction for Excellence in Research:

To be eligible for graduation with Distinction a student must:

Complete 3 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator.

To be eligible for graduation with High Distinction a student must:

Complete 2 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Complete 1 semester of MCB 492 for 3 credit hours or more. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator. Submit a written thesis that is approved by the Distinction Committee.

To be eligible for graduation with Highest Distinction a student must:

Complete 2 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Complete 1 semester MCB 492 for 3 credit hours or more. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.90 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator. Submit a written thesis that is approved by the Distinction Committee. Distinction for Excellence in Academics:

To be eligible for graduation with Academic Distinction a student must:

Maintain a major GPA of 3.90 or higher in the MCB major (biology, chemistry, physics and math courses for the MCB major) at the end of their penultimate semester.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: 67-71, including 21 hours of 300-/400- level courses. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by MCB 150, IB 150, CHEM 102 or CHEM 202, CHEM 104 or CHEM 204, PHYS 101 or PHYS 211, PHYS 102 or PHYS 212 | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | fulfilled by MATH 220 or MATH 221 & MATH 231 or STAT 212 | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-20 |

Major Requirements

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | MATH 220 | Calculus | 4-5 | | or MATH 221 | Calculus I | | | MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 | | or STAT 212 | Biostatistics | | | Select one group of courses: | | 8-10 | | CHEM 102 & CHEM 103 & CHEM 104 & CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I and General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | | | CHEM 202 & CHEM 203 & CHEM 204 & CHEM 205 | Accelerated Chemistry I and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I and Accelerated Chemistry II and Accelerated Chemistry Lab II | | | CHEM 232 | Elementary Organic Chemistry I | 4 | | CHEM 233 | Elementary Organic Chem Lab I | 2 | | Select one group of courses: | | 10-12 | | PHYS 101 & PHYS 102 | College Physics: Mech & Heat and College Physics: E&M & Modern | | | PHYS 211 & PHYS 212 & PHYS 213 & PHYS 214 | University Physics: Mechanics and University Physics: Elec & Mag and Univ Physics: Thermal Physics and Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | | | IB 150 | Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | 4 | | MCB 150 | Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life | 4 | | MCB 250 | Molecular Genetics | 3 | | MCB 251 | Exp Techniqs in Molecular Biol | 2 | | MCB 252 | Cells, Tissues & Development | 3 | | MCB 253 | Exp Techniqs in Cellular Biol | 2 | | MCB 354 | Biochem & Phys Basis of Life | 3 | | At least four additional courses at the 300- to 400-level from the Approved List of Advanced Courses for MCB Majors are also required, including one lab course. | | 15-16 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Molecular & Cellular Biology

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Molecular & Cellular Biology

Upon successful completion of the Molecular & Cellular Biology undergraduate curriculum, students will be able to:

1. Understand and appreciate the diversity of life as it evolved over time by processes of mutation, selection and genetic change.
2. Illustrate that fundamental structural units define the function of all living things.
3. Explain that the growth, development, and behavior of organisms are activated through the expression of genetic information in context.
4. Summarize that biological systems grow and change by processes based upon chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of physics.
5. Illustrate that living systems are interconnected and interacting across scales of space and time.
6. Design a scientific process and employ the scientific method, demonstrating that biology is evidence based and grounded in the formal practices of observation, experimentation, and hypothesis testing.
7. Execute quantitative analysis to interpret biological data.
8. Construct and utilize predictive models to study and describe complex biological systems.
9. Apply concepts from other sciences in order to interpret biological phenomena.
10. Communicate biological concepts and understanding to members of a diverse scientific community as well as to the general public.
11. Identify social and historical dimensions of biological investigation.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Molecular & Cellular Biology

School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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