What is Molecular Biology?
Molecular biology is the basic science that seeks an understanding of biological processes in terms of the properties and functions of the molecules that make up living cells. The scope of questions addressed in molecular biology ranges from evolution to development to the regulation of gene expression. A career in molecular biology requires a strong background in biology as well as a solid foundation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
The Molecular Biology major.
Major requirements have been set to assure a high degree of proficiency in the various areas specified above while still allowing as much flexibility as possible for students to individualize their programs. For the undergraduate interested in life sciences, this major uniquely provides access to the extraordinary scope and strength of biology courses and laboratories on the Madison campus. Each student in the major is assigned a faculty advisor, and it is hoped that students will take advantage of both the staff and faculty advising service available to make a judicious choice of courses, as well as to gain scholarly experience outside the classroom that will further their academic and career goals.
The Molecular Biology major has suspended admission to new students as of Fall 2019. Current students will be able to complete the major, while prospective students interested in Molecular Biology are encouraged to consider the Biology, Biochemistry and Zoology majors, along with seeking out molecular related research opportunities. We are taking the opportunity revise and update our curriculum with the intention of a new and improved major available in the future.
Students who wish to obtain further information about the program should contact the molecular biology student services coordinator. Faculty advisors are assigned to continuing students who have declared the major and are located in many related departments throughout campus. Molecular biology faculty advisors are especially competent to provide counsel regarding the major and career opportunities in molecular biology.
What can I do with a major in Molecular Biology?
The molecular biology major has been designed primarily for three groups of students: (a) those who plan to enter a research career in molecular biology or related areas such as biochemistry, genetics, oncology, microbiology, cell biology or developmental biology; (b) pre-professional students who plan to enter either a research or clinical career in medicine, or allied health fields; (c) students who plan to teach biology at the college or secondary-school levels. Students with other interests are also welcome, of course. Career opportunities for students with an undergraduate degree in molecular biology are amazingly diverse. What else can you do with a major in Molecular Biology? Graduates of our program have gone into patent law, science journalism, forensics, wildlife management, philosophy, nutrition, genetic counseling, veterinary medicine, anthropology, archeology, marine biology, theology, and more! Get involved in the Molecular Biology Student Association (MBSA) to learn more about the major, careers, and opportunities!
Helpful Links
Molecular Biology student, Chloe Kirk, blogs about her semester in Japan
“I spend every day of the work week in a lab, a science major’s dream. I get to work on a project for the BioChemical team of Osaka Gas and not only is it using many of the techniques I am familiar with, but I’m also learning many new ones!”
