ENG

Molecular and Cellular Biology: Genetics

Bachelor of Science

Coursework Location(s)

Main/Tucson

Areas of Interest
  • Computer & Information Science
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Education & Human Development
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Biological & Biomedical Science
  • Animal & Veterinary Sciences
  • Health, Nutrition & Fitness
Advanced technologies in computer science have streamlined the capturing, computing and interpreting of information, turning biology into a science of big data. Systems biology analyzes cells on a system or network level for a better understanding of an organism as a whole. Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a subplan in Systems and Big Data Biology study a combination of mathematics, statistics and computing in addition to core coursework in biology. The subplan educates students on the applications of data science to research and analysis methods and the communication of findings. Undergraduates gain firsthand experience in laboratory research through the senior thesis and capstone units. This major and emphasis primes students for graduate-level study and careers in high demand.
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern life and apply that understanding to novel scenarios. Including: * how chemical principles govern the activity of life * how cells sense and respond to internal and external cues * how traits are inherited * how molecules, cells, and organisms evolve * how phenotypes emerge from interactions among molecules and cells * how research with model organisms sheds light on all these questions Demonstrate understanding of the ways that chemical principles govern the ability of biological molecules to form cellular structures, tissues, organs, and organisms, and the energy transformations that make these steps possible. Explain mechanisms and outcomes of the ability of cells to sense and respond to internal and external cues. Explain the role of and mechanisms by which the genome and its products generate biological structures and phenotypes, including human disease, including: ¿ Differentiate among replication, transcription, and translation with regard to mechanisms and biological roles. ¿ Analyze mechanisms of inheritance and their consequences for phenotypes. ¿ Differentiate among various types of mutations and predict their outcomes at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level. Describe how evolution affects molecules, cells, and organisms and shapes the diversity of life on Earth. Explain how the properties of biological systems emerge from the interactions among individual components of those systems. Describe ways that research in different experimental organisms sheds light on the important biological processes described above. Communicate effectively about scientific ideas and methods. ¿ This includes oral and/or written presentation. ¿ This includes appropriate choice of data-presentation modes (tables, diagrams, graphs, etc.). Read and interpret primary scientific literature in cell and molecular biology, linking the results to prior understanding of biological processes. Evaluate the reliability of sources of information about biology. Apply analytical thinking to biological problems: ¿ Understand and/or build models that generate testable hypotheses about biological processes. ¿ Critique experimental design in existing research and apply principles of experimental design to new research problems. ¿ Apply quantitative strategies to analyze and understand biological processes. Demonstrate ability to analyze the role of biology in societal decisions and to apply ethical decision-making to evaluate existing and new scientific approaches.
Sample Courses
  • MCB 315: Quantitative Biology
  • MCB 480: Introduction to Systems Biology
  • MCB 447: Big Data in Biology and Biomedicine
Career Fields
  • Healthcare
  • Research
  • Fitness and nutrition
  • Genetics
  • Government
Level of Math
Substantial Knowledge
LEVEL OF SECOND LANGUAGE
2nd Semester Proficiency
Pre-major Required?
NO
Sample Plans 2020 - Molecular and Cellular Biology: Genetics

First Year

1st Semester
Credits
ENGL 101 First-Year Composition
3.00
MATH 122 A/B Calculus I
5.00
CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
4.00
Tier I General Education
3.00
MCB 195 Colloquium
1.00
2nd Semester
Credits
ENGL 102 First-Year Composition
3.00
MATH 129 Calculus II or MATH 263 Intro to Stats
3.00
CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
4.00
ECOL 182R Introductory Biology II
3.00
ECOL 182L Introductory Biology II Lab
1.00

Second Year

3rd Semester
Credits
CHEM 241A Organic Chemistry I
3.00
CHEM 243A Organic Chemistry Lab I
1.00
MCB 181R Introductory Biology I
3.00
MCB 181L Introductory Biology I Lab
1.00
MATH 223 Vector Calculus
3.00
Tier I General Education
3.00
4th Semester
Credits
CHEM 241B Organic Chemistry II
3.00
CHEM 243B Organic Chemistry II Lab
1.00
MCB 301 Molecular Basis of Life
4.00
MATH 254 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations or 355 Analysis of Ordinary Differential Equations
3.00
Upper Division Free Elective
3.00
Tier I General Education
3.00

Third Year

5th Semester
Credits
PHYS 102 Introductory Physics I
3.00
PHYS 181 Introductory Lab I
1.00
MCB 304 Molecular Genetics
4.00
MCB 315 Quantitative Biology
3.00
MATH 310 Applied Linear Algebra or 313 Introduction to Linear Algebra
3.00
Tier I General Education
3.00
6th Semester
Credits
PHYS 103 Introductory Physics II
3.00
PHYS 182 Introductory Lab II
1.00
MCB 305 Cell and Developmental Biology
4.00
MATH 363 Introduction to Statistical Methods or 375 Introduction to Numerical Methods
3.00
MCB 447 Big Data in Biology and Biomedicine
3.00
Tier II General Education
3.00

Fourth Year

7th Semester
Credits
Sub Plan Lab or Thesis I
3.00
MCB 480 Introduction to Systems Biology
3.00
CSC 250 Essential Computing for the Sciences or Free Elective
3.00
Tier II General Education
3.00
Second Language
4.00
8th Semester
Credits
Sub Plan Writing or Thesis II
3.00
Sub-Plan Course
3.00
Tier II General Education
3.00
Upper Division Free Elective
3.00
Second Language
4.00

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