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BS - Biological Sciences-Molecular

What is a Molecular Biology degree?

Whether you want to participate in the human genome project, explore the mysteries of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or go to medical school and become a leader in cancer research, you can get there with a molecular biology degree from Florida Tech. Here, you'll develop a strong background in biology and get hands-on experience in genetics and biotechnology.

Our molecular biology degree program is dynamic and focused. You'll get started right away, taking core courses like Biological Discovery and General Chemistry as a freshman. Guided by highly accomplished faculty who care about your success, you'll hone your strengths and begin specializing as early as sophomore year.

The molecular biology degree option provides training in genetic engineering, biotechnology, cell structure and DNA analysis. The senior year culminates in a truly hands-on laboratory sequence in genetic engineering techniques and nucleic acid analysis that has students in the lab 15-20 hours per week, learning gene splicing and manipulation, DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning, and DNA synthesis and sequencing. Students completing the program are qualified for employment in the rapidly growing biotechnology industry and for entry into medical school and graduate study in a wide variety of areas.

Advantages

Facilities: The biology department is housed in the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building (LSB). LSB contains eight teaching labs, 12 modern research labs, a 16-workstation computer facility, and an electron microscopy suite.

Learning

Clubs and Organizations:

• Tri Beta (Biological Sciences Honor Society)
• Premed Club

Research: Students at Florida Tech are learning the skills necessary to change the world with a genetics and molecular biology degree. They are active participants in the kind of research that will one day cure our genetic diseases and feed the world. They are welcomed into our professors' labs as research assistants, working on real-life problems like antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a cure for cancer, crime-scene analysis, and agriculture in space.

Curriculum

Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.

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Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences–Molecular Biology

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences – Molecular Biology seeks to educate students in unifying themes in biology, while encouraging them to expand their knowledge in more specialized subject areas. The department offers six undergraduate programs in which a student may specialize: aquaculture, conservation biology and ecology, general biology, marine biology, molecular biology and premedical biology. The curriculum is organized so that in the first two years students learn concepts fundamental to all biological sciences, and in the last two years students follow their own interests in selecting courses that are more specialized.

Molecular biology provides training in DNA and protein purification, recombinant DNA technology, gene manipulation, PCR, nucleic acid hybridization, DNA sequence analysis, gene expression assays and genomics. Students completing the program are qualified for employment in the rapidly growing biotechnology industry and for entry into graduate study in a wide variety of areas encompassed by molecular biology.

Admission Requirements

Students intending to apply for admission to study in the department of biological sciences should complete at least one year each of high school biology, chemistry and physics. Prospective students should also have at least three years of high school mathematics, including second-year algebra and trigonometry.

Florida Tech has articulation agreements with many of the community colleges in Florida. Students contemplating transfer to Florida Tech should consult with the department to determine transferability of credits. If there is a question regarding specific courses needed, students should contact the associate department head for undergraduate studies.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences – Molecular Biology must complete the minimum course requirements outlined in the following curriculum. Electives are selected in consultation with the faculty adviser to reflect the knowledge a student needs either for employment or graduate school.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 128