Minor in Molecular Biology
This minor is offered cooperatively by the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Microbiology.
For information, contact Paul James, Department of Biology (513-529-3129; jamespf@miamioh.edu).
This minor enables students to pursue in depth a multidisciplinary study of biological phenomena at the molecular level. It provides a strong foundation for students planning careers in biotechnology industries or advanced work at the graduate level.
Grade Point Average
A minimum of 2.0 grade point average is required for all courses in the minor. Students can declare the minor at either the BIO, CHM, or MBI office in order to get a transcript notation.
Program Requirements (18 semester hours)
All of these:
- One course in biochemistry (CHM 332 or CHM 432);
- One course in cell biology (BIO 203 or MBI 201);
- One course in molecular biology (MBI 365 or BIO 444);
- At least one course must be taken from each of the three departments.
Laboratory requirement
One laboratory course (BIO/CHM/MBI 424, BIO 464, CHM 438, or MBI 465), or earn at least two credits of departmentally approved directed research in molecular biology (see your departmental Molecular Biology Minor advisor: students doing directed research in molecular biology should have their proposed research experience evaluated by their departmental representative at the time they initiate their research and must have formal approval from their departmental representative at least one semester prior to graduation).
Other courses to bring the total number of semester hours to 18 may be chosen from among the following: (at least one course from each of the three departments)
NOTE: Any individual course can be used to fulfill minor requirements and major requirements except that cross-listed courses cannot count as an out of department course for the minor and for the major (e.g. BIO/CHM/MBI 424).
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 203 | Introduction to Cell Biology (3) |
| BIO 255 | Introduction to Biotechnology (3) |
| BIO 342 | Genetics (3) |
| BIO 361 | Patterns in Development (4) |
| BIO 403 | Plant Development (3) |
| BIO 444 | Molecular Biology (3) |
| BIO 449 | Biology of Cancer (3) |
| BIO 464 | Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology (3) |
| BIO 471 | Molecular Physiology (3) |
| BIO/CHM/MBI 424 | Techniques in Structural Genomics (4) |
| BIO/CHM/CSE/MBI 466 | Bioinformatics Computing Skills (3) |
| BIO/MBI 485, CSE 456 | Bioinformatics Principles (3) |
| CHM 332 | Outlines of Biochemistry (4) |
| CHM 430 | Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (1-3) |
| CHM 432 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry (4) |
| CHM 438 | Biochemistry Laboratory (2) |
| CHM 471 | Biophysical Chemistry I (3) |
| CHM 472 | Biophysical Chemistry II (3) |
| MBI 201 | General Microbiology (4) |
| MBI 365 | Molecular and Cellular Biology (3) |
| MBI 414 MBI 415 |
Immunology Principles (3), or Immunology Principles and Practice (4) |
| MBI 425 | Microbial Physiology (4) |
| MBI 445 | Microbial Genetics (3) |
| MBI 464 | Human Viruses (3) |
| MBI 465 | Microbial and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (2) |
Course descriptions are available in The Miami General Bulletin
Minor in Molecular Biology Steering Committee
Paul James, Biology
Luis Actis, Microbiology
Michael Crowder, Chemistry & Biochemistry