School of Molecular Biosciences

Molecular biosciences can be viewed as a dynamic continuum in which approaches derived from biology, chemistry, and physics are utilized to address the fundamental mechanisms of living things. The School of Molecular Biosciences offers undergraduate majors in biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics and cell biology, and microbiology. Students interested in the health professions can major in biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, or microbiology, and readily complete the requirements for application to medical, dental, veterinary, or other professional schools. Each of the areas is described below in more detail.

The School of Molecular Biosciences also offers undergraduate minors in biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and pre-genetics counseling. Requirements for the minors are detailed below.

At the graduate level, the school offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Molecular Biosciences and Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Biosciences).

BIOCHEMISTRY

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that involves the application of methods and theories of chemistry to the study of biological phenomena. An undergraduate major in biochemistry prepares you for a variety of careers in industry, education, public service, and the health professions, or for graduate study and research in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, and many related fields. Students have training opportunities in a wide range of research areas including protein biochemistry, membrane structure and function, molecular biology of gene regulation in animals, plants, and microorganisms, enzymatic reaction mechanisms, signal transduction, DNA repair, reproductive biology, protein-DNA interactions, plant and natural product biochemistry, and structural biology including NMR spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography.

The program offers two curricular options leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. The biochemistry/biophysics option provides increased emphasis on chemistry, physics, mathematics, and physical biochemistry, and yields a minor in chemistry. The biochemistry/molecular biology option provides increased emphasis on molecular and cell biology, and yields a minor in molecular biology.

We expect that our graduating students will be able to: 1) demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing results generated in the lab, as well as from published papers, that address biological problems at the chemical, cellular, and organismal level; 2) demonstrate in-depth knowledge in Molecular Biosciences through the use of modern instrumentation and computers in support of their projects, including use of available databases for research; and 3) effectively communicate scientific information both in written form and oral presentations to colleagues and lay audiences.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology is the application of a new level of understanding of organisms and biological processes. It uses modern molecular, computer and engineering techniques to answer basic biological questions and to develop products and practices for use by society. Biotechnology will affect every aspect of human existence. The applications of biotechnology are broad and have already brought impressive results in agriculture, human health, and environmental protection and restoration. Biotechnology enables industries to make new or better products with greater speed, efficiency and flexibility.

We expect that our graduating students will be able to: 1) demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing results generated in the lab, as well as from published papers, that address biological problems at the chemical, cellular, and organismal level; 2) demonstrate in-depth knowledge in Molecular Biosciences through the use of modern instrumentation and computers in support of their projects, including use of available databases for research; and 3) effectively communicate scientific information both in written form and oral presentations to colleagues and lay audiences.

GENETICS AND CELL BIOLOGY

Genetics and cell biology are interdisciplinary sciences that are fundamental to all fields of modern biology. The program affords students the opportunity to study with scientists who represent a wide range of research interests in plant, animal, and microbial genetics and cell biology. Undergraduates who major in genetics and cell biology will be well prepared to work as high-level technicians in the biotechnology industry or in university and government laboratories. An undergraduate degree also prepares students for entry into professional schools related to medicine as well as into graduate school programs leading to the Master's and PhD degrees in a variety of areas in agriculture and basic science. Students who receive Master's and PhD degrees obtain positions in basic and applied genetics at universities, federal departments and laboratories, private industry, including biotechnology and plant and animal breeding, and in specialized medical research.

We expect that our graduating students will be able to: 1) demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing results generated in the lab, as well as from published papers, that address biological problems at the chemical, cellular, and organismal level; 2) demonstrate in-depth knowledge in Molecular Biosciences through the use of modern instrumentation and computers in support of their projects, including use of available databases for research; and 3) effectively communicate scientific information both in written form and oral presentations to colleagues and lay audiences.

MICROBIOLOGY

Microbiology is both a basic and an applied science that studies microorganisms and their activities. It is concerned with their form, structure, reproduction, physiology, and identification. It includes the study of their distribution in nature, their relationship to each other and to other living things, their beneficial and detrimental effects on human beings, and the physical and chemical changes they make in their environment. Employment opportunities in industrial, government, hospital, and private laboratories and agencies are excellent for qualified graduates. Areas in which the unit is prepared to direct research include the biology of membranes, bioremediation, molecular genetics, molecular basis of cell-cell interactions and virulence, microbial differentiation, cellular and tumor immunology and the regulation of the immune response.

The Microbiology degree program offers options in general microbiology and medical technology, leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. Requirements for the general microbiology option and for the medical technology option are the same except that Biol 418 is required for the medical technology option. A one-year internship in an accredited school of medical technology is required after graduation for those interested in becoming certified medical technologists.

We expect that our graduating students will be able to: 1) demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing results generated in the lab, as well as from published papers, that address biological problems at the chemical, cellular, and organismal level; 2) demonstrate in-depth knowledge in Molecular Biosciences through the use of modern instrumentation and computers in support of their projects, including use of available databases for research; and 3) effectively communicate scientific information both in written form and oral presentations to colleagues and lay audiences.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A student must meet the following three requirements to be eligible to certify as a SMB major in biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics and cell biology, and microbiology:

1) Complete Biol 106, Biol 107, Chem 105 and Chem 106, or transfer equivalents, with a minimum grade of C.
2) Earn a minimum cumulative gpa of at least 2.50
3) Earn a minimum of 24 semester hours.

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative gpa of 2.50 for all WSU courses to remain certified in a SMB degree program. A certified major who falls below the minimum requirements will be decertified according to Academic Regulation 56.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

A grade of C or better is required in all MBioS courses taken to meet graduation requirements. None of these courses may be taken pass/fail.