Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology - Cell and Molecular Concentration

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in biology is the degree recommended for students contemplating a career in biological or biomedical sciences. The B.S. degree requires either Calculus II or statistics, organic chemistry, and physics corequisites. Two semesters of introductory biology and eight upper-level courses are required. The upper-level courses include courses in specific areas, as well as elective courses in biology and related biological sciences. Rapid advances in biology have had a major impact on our society. From the production of new drugs, to revolutionary advances in our understanding of how cells work, the areas of cell and molecular biology have contributed to our lives in a number of ways. Training in these areas is essential for careers in medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry, virology, immunology, developmental biology, and in a number of the high-tech industries. From agriculture to the space program, fundamental information from these areas has had enormous impact on the changes that have occurred in our generation. Because of the importance of these areas of biology to many aspects of modern society there is great demand for coursework at colleges and universities in these subjects. At Duke, the majority of the science majors are aiming toward graduate or professional school. A growing number of these students are interested in training for research in biochemistry and molecular biology. Because of its important role in today's biology, faculty in biology have designed an concentration in cell and molecular biology. Faculty in Biological Sciences and in the Basic Sciences of the Medical School also support this major. Students fulfilling the requirements of the Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology will receive a note on their official transcript.