Molecular and Cellular Biology

About the Major

The molecular and cellular biology major at Stetson University is designed for students interested in the interface between the life sciences and physical sciences. Molecular and cellular biology is an interdisciplinary science that uses the techniques of biology and chemistry to examine experimental systems at the molecular level.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete the university's General Education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to the specific requirements for the Molecular and Cellular Biology Major.

Lower Division Requirements

-BIOL 141 and 142 (Introductory Biology sequence)

-BIOL 243 (Biostatistics)

-CHEM 141 and 142 (General Chemistry)

-CHEM 201 and 301 (Organic Chemistry)

-CHEM 204 (Biochemistry I)

-MATH 141 (Calculus I with Analytic Geometry)

-PHYS 121 and 122 (College Physics)

Upper Division Requirements

-BIOL 302 (Genetics)

-BIOL 420 (Molecular Biology)

- One additional Upper Division Biology course from the selection below:

  • BIOL 301 Microbiology
  • BIOL 314 Immunology & Hematology
  • BIOL 315 Endocrinology
  • BIOL 320 Cell Biology
  • BIOL 401 General Physiology
  • BIOL 409 Neurobiology
  • BIOL 410 Developmental Biology
  • BIOL 410 Cancer Biology
  • BIOL 422 Molecular Ecology
  • CHEM 304 Biochemistry II
  • BIOL333 Limnology (Freshwater Biology)

-BIOL 497 Junior Research Proposal

-BIOL 498 Senior Research Project

-BIOL 499 Senior Seminar

Sharjeel Qureshi and Sean McKnight analyzing data collected from their lab research project experiment

Sharjeel Qureshi and Sean McKnight analyzed data collected from their lab research project experiment.

Students in molecular and cellular biology study the structure and function of biological macromolecules and examine mechanisms of gene expression, DNA damage and repair in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Students study modern techniques used in molecular and cellular biology including polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, fluorescent microscopy and genome editing. Students working in groups or 2 or 3, use primary literature to design novel research lab projects that examine changes in cell growth, metabolic activity and gene expression in human cancer cells after treatment with a naturally occurring plant-based compound. Students utilize a tissue culture teaching facility to maintain their human cell cultures, perform experiments and analyze data obtained.

Monika Chojnacka working with her human cell cultures in the laminar flow hood

Monika Chojnacka working with her human cell cultures in the laminar flow hood.

Dr. Roslyn Crowder and Sharjeel Qureshi using the bioluminescent plate reader

Professor Roslyn Crowder and Sharjeel Qureshi using the bioluminescent plate reader.