Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology to Master of Science in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry

Bachelor’s-to-master’s programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. This program combines the BA in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) with the MS in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry (MCBB) and is an efficient way to acquire master’s-level expertise in this exciting multidisciplinary field. This program provides broad preparation for employment in diverse areas of biotechnology as well as for further graduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related fields.

Students in this bachelor’s-to-master’s program must complete all bachelor’s degree requirements before enrolling as master’s students, although they may take graduate courses while enrolled as undergraduates. Students must register for and earn a minimum of 24 units while enrolled as master’s students. Students may apply up to 8 units (500 level or above) from the undergraduate degree to the master’s degree, subject to any conditions described below. For this bachelor’s-to-master’s program, the bachelor’s degree is conferred by the College of Arts & Sciences, and the master’s degree is conferred by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate mastery of both fundamental and advanced concepts in biology and chemistry, with a strong focus on the molecular biological and biochemical components of these disciplines.
• Demonstrate expertise in the scientific method, specifically the ability to apply the scientific method—which includes the critical assessment of the scientific literature, analysis of data, and use of modeling and simulation in their understanding and communication of the BMB discipline.
• Attain the technical and/or analytical skills required for employment or postgraduate education in BMB or BMB-related careers, including professional careers and science education.

Requirements

BA Portion

Students must complete all requirements for the BA in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Only the following two courses may be applied from the undergraduate degree toward the MS: CAS BI 552 and CAS CH 525.

Courses taken to complete the MS requirements cannot be also counted as BMB electives for the BA in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. One of the three BMB electives must be CAS BI 311.

MS Portion

*Biochemistry prerequisites for the MS (that do not count toward the MS): CAS BB 421 & 422 (Biochemistry 1 & 2)*

Students must complete a total of 32 units for the MS in MCBB:

• Laboratory requirement (8 units): CAS BB 522, CAS BI 513, CAS CH 524 (4 units each, choose two)
• Graduate research requirement (8 units): CAS BB 591, CAS BB 592 (4 units each)
• Molecular Biology requirement (8 units): CAS BI 552 (4 units, counted from the BA) and either CAS BI 553 (4 units) or CAS BI 753 (4 units)
• Cell Biology requirement (4 units, typically fulfilled by classes taken for laboratory requirement or electives): CAS BB 522, CAS BI 551, CAS BI 572, CAS BI 576, CAS BI 610, CAS BI 681, CAS BI 735 (4 units each)
• Elective (8 units): 500 (or higher) MCBB elective
• Physical Biochemistry requirement (4 units): CAS CH 525 (counted from the BA)

Courses applied to the master’s degree must be passed with a grade of B– or better, and students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in these graduate courses.

If a student has taken CAS BB 522, BI 513, or CH 524 to fulfill the Advanced Lab Elective for BA, then a second 500 (or higher) MCBB elective must be taken.

Two terms of 4-unit graduate research are required for the MS degree and are conducted in the laboratory of a BMB faculty member or an outside laboratory. No more than 8 units of graduate research may be applied to the MS degree. CAS BB 592 requires a 10-to-15-page written research proposal submitted to the program director at the beginning of the second term of graduate research. In addition, CAS BB 592 students are required to participate in the BMB Research Symposium held at the end of each spring term.

Admissions Information

Information about application requirements and deadlines for bachelor’s-to-master’s programs can be found on the graduate school’s Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs web page.

Specific to this program, applicants must be juniors in good standing in the BMB program. Potential applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must have completed CAS BB 421 and/or CAS BI 552 with a grade of B– or higher. In addition, applicants must plan to take CAS BI 311 as one of their BMB electives.