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Students majoring in cell and molecular biology must complete a minimum of ten courses in the biology components, totaling at least 22 credits; 16 credits in chemistry (one year of both general chemistry with laboratories 107/117; 108/118; or H109/H111; H110/H112 and organic chemistry with laboratories 241/243; 242/244; or H245/H247; H246/H248); and eight credits of physics with laboratories (121, 122 or 131, 132). Students are strongly encouraged to take Calculus I (MATH 121) and Probability and Statistics for Scientists (MATH 123) to satisfy the math requirement for the B.S. To fulfill the biology core component, students must complete CELL 101, CELL
205, CELL 311, and CELL 301. Students must take one biochemistry course,
either CELL 401 or CENG 445 or CHEM 383 + 384. Students must also take
either CELL 302 or CELL 312, and one additional 3 or 4 credit CELL lecture or
lecture/lab course. Note: Students with an AP score of 5 will have
the choice between receiving credit for CELL 103/106 or receiving credit for
CELL 101. (Students with an AP score of 5 who opt to receive credit for
CELL 103/106 will be allowed to take CELL 211 concurrently with CELL 101.)
Students with an AP score of 4 will receive credit for CELL 103/106. An additional three elective courses are required, and at least two of the three must be laboratory courses. Students may use approved courses from other departments to fulfill the elective component. One course involving independent laboratory research (H491, H492, 495, 496, H499 or H500) may be used as a laboratory course. Students must complete one approved capstone course within the biology
components.
Students wishing to minor in cell and molecular biology must complete CELL 101, CELL 205, CELL 301, and CELL 311; two additional electives in biology; and 16 credits in chemistry (one year of both general and organic chemistry and their respective laboratories). Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the biological chemistry major, students in this program may not minor in cell and molecular biology. In accordance with Tulane's undergraduate catalog, students completing a minor must complete at least 24 credits in the major which do not overlap with the minor. Career OpportunitiesThe major in Cell and Molecular Biology prepares the student for a variety of careers which require a working knowledge of biological principles and the molecular and cellular approaches to solving basic problems or to improving the quality of human life. Students who wish no further formal training after their B.S. degree find positions in education, government and industry, especially in the expanding health-services, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology is also ideal preparation for careers requiring additional study, such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, nursing and other health-related professions, environmental policy and law, and professions requiring a graduate degree in biology or the other biomedical sciences. Students interested in education might wish to visit the Teach for America website. The Cell and Molecular Biology Major as Preparation for Medical and Other Allied Health Programs
The major overwhelmingly attracts students who have interests in the health professions, but the philosophy in this department is similar to that which prevails in most departments within the Liberal Arts and Sciences: that our purpose is to educate students with respect to the discipline and not to serve as a premedical program. This is also consistent with medical school publications which
Cell and Molecular Biology majors have an excellent rate of acceptance into
medical programs. In 2004, 52 majors applied and 33 were accepted (64%).
In addition to medical school, CMB majors also apply to veterinary, dental and
optometry programs. The
PreHealth Advisor
can provide guidance to students regarding the requirements for medical school
and other health professions, and can assist the student with interviewing
skills and other aspects of the application process.
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cells, genes, and biomolecules which are the most fundamental constituents of
all living things. Some are attracted by a desire to elucidate new biological
principles, whereas others are more interested in applying molecular principles
and methods to solve practical problems facing medicine and biotechnology.
Either way, the major attracts those who are curious about the mechanisms by
which living systems function, develop, and interact with their environment.
A love of and fascination with living systems is essential. Biology is
especially appealing to those who derive pleasure from elucidating general
principles that apply to all living systems through experimentation with
relatively simple model systems. This requires a creative mind, the fortitude to conduct repetitive work and the ability to
analyze, distill, and interpret data.
emphasize the importance of majoring in any discipline which interests the student; the medical schools will assume responsibility for teaching medical science courses. The nature of our discipline is, however, such that there is nevertheless considerable overlap in our courses and those in the medical school curriculum. Such overlap will do nothing but increase in the future as medicine itself becomes increasingly dependent on an understanding of physiology, molecular biology, development, and genetics to explain and diagnose human diseases and syndromes and to implement new methods of therapy.