Biology: Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, & Biotechnology
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Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, & Biotechnology (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$88k
Microbiologist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a microbiologist is $88,950.
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$49k
Biological Technician
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a biological technician is $49,650.
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$95k
Biological Scientist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a biological scientist is $95,920.
The Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology curriculum includes coursework to prepare you for career paths in cell biology, microbiology, and biotechnology. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
Required Courses:
- BI163 Evolution & Ecology (4)
- BI173 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
- BI283 Genetics (4)
- BI389 Career Development in Biology (2)
- CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
- CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
Choose one math course:
- MA116 Precalculus A (3)
- MA137 Precalculus (5)
- MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
- MA140 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (5)
Choose one additional math course:
- MAxxx Additional math (for which MA116 is a prerequisite) (3)
- MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)
Experiential Learning Requirement: 2 hours
- BI551-553 Biology Field Studies (2)
- BI563-565 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
- BI570 Development of Instructional Materials (1)
- BI582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology Option Required Courses:
- BI245 Lab Methods in Biotechnology (3)
- BI310 General Microbiology (4)
Choose 6 Hours From:
- BI403 Medical Genetics (3)
- BI404 Cell Biology (3)
- BI413 Molecular Genetics (3)
- BI442 Immunology (4)
- BI445 Microbial Physiology (3)
- BI/BT450 Investigative Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (3)
- BI543 Pathogenic Microbiology (4)
- ZO414 Developmental Biology (4)
Biology Electives: Choose 10 Hours
- Any BI, BO, ZO, BT courses, 300 level and above (10)
Non-Biology Requirements: 13 hours
- CH 186 General Chemistry II (3)
- CH 187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
- CH341 Foundations of Organic Chemistry (4)
- CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
- CH531/UI331 Foundations of Biochemistry (3)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- BI163 (4)
- CH184/185 (4)
- MA116/137/139/140 (3-5)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- EN100 (3)
- BI173 (4)
- CH186 (3)
- CH187 (1)
- Additional Math course (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA 3.2
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- BI283 (4)
- CH341 (4)
- CH342 (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- BI245 (3)
- BI310 (4)
- CH343* (3)
- CH344* (2)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA 3.2
Junior Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- MCM option course (3)
- BI389 (2)
- PH120/020* (5)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- MCM option course (3)
- PH121/021* (5)
- Biology elective (3)
- Experiential Learning Course (2)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA 3.2
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- Biology Elective (3)
- Biology Elective (4)
- UI331/CH531 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (2)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- CH533* (2)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA 3.2
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
*Suggested non-biology elective courses
What will it cost?
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Hands-on Learning
You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through required 80 hours outside the classroom. The Department of Biology has numerous research and teaching labs that provide excellent opportunities for active experiences.
Alumna
"The research was on functional tricuspid regurgitation. We divided and stretched heart tissues to find how much force was required to completely tear the tissue. It helped me gain an understanding of how things work in a lab, what to do, what not to do, how to troubleshoot problems, and how to work around mistakes. There is a lot of hard work and consistency that is required to do research that you may not think you need. Being an undergraduate researcher taught me that principle well."
Zainab Iqbal
Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Happening in Biology
The Will to Do
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701