​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Program Description

Understanding the functions of living organisms means having the knowledge of how every element of life operates within them, right down to the molecule. With a major in biomedical, cellular and molecular biology, you will explore molecular interactions that both drive and regulate cellular and physiological processes. As you work to gain understanding of biological concepts, you will have the opportunity to take part in research projects and learn the latest techniques in the laboratory.

Points of Pride

  • CMU's $95 million Biosciences Building is the largest capital project in the university’s 120-plus year history. The four-story, 169,000-square-foot building will dramatically advance CMU’s instructional learning and scientific research space.
  • As a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution, CMU's undergraduate students work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research questions in the fields of microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, physiology, developmental biology and genetics.

Put Your Degree to Work

For More Information

Visit the biology website or contact:

Department of Biology
Biosciences 2100
Phone: 989-774-3227
Fax: 989-774-3462

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.

(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)

Biology Major: Biomedical, Cellular, and Molecular Concentration

This Biology Major will prepare students for graduate programs or careers in the fields of biomedicine, physiology, and cellular and molecular biology.
Total: 63-71 semester hours
Core Courses I
(20 hours)
BIO 111
Foundations of Evolution and Diversity
4
BIO 112
Foundations of Cell Biology
4
BIO 211
Foundations of Genetics
4
BIO 212
Foundations of Form and Function
4
BIO 213
Foundations of Ecology
4
Core Courses II
(3 hours)
BIO 500
Biological Statistics
3
Required Courses
(3-4 hours)
Select one of the following:
BIO 320
Biology of Microorganisms
4
BIO 324
Eukaryotic Cell Biology
3
BIO 390
Comparative Animal Physiology
4
BIO 391
Plant Physiology
4
BIO 392
Mammalian Physiology
4
Other Requirements I
(20 hours)
Note: You may only count one of MTH 130 or 132, not both.
CHM 131
General Chemistry I
4
CHM 132
General Chemistry II
4
MTH 130
Pre-Calculus Mathematics
4
MTH 132
Calculus I
4
PHY 130QR
College Physics I
4
PHY 131
College Physics II
4
Other Requirements II
(4-8 hours)
Select one of the following options:
Notes: Students selecting Option A in Other Requirements II must select Option A in Other Requirements III. Students selecting Option B or C in Other Requirements II may select any option in Other Requirements III.
OR2A-BIO:BCM
Option A
(4 hours)
OR2B-BIO:BCM
Option B
(8 hours)
OR2C-BIO:BCM
Option C
(8 hours)
Other Requirements III
(3-6 hours)
Select one of the following options:
OR3A:BIO:BCM
Option A
(3 hours)
OR3B:BIO:BCM
Option B
(3 hours)
OR3C:BIO:BCM
Option C
(6 hours)
Other Requirements IV
(0 hours)
Capstone Exit Exam and Survey This capstone experience may include taking the Biology Major Field Test, analyzing and interpreting data, and/or completing an exit survey.
Electives
(10 hours)
Select advanced level elective courses from the list below. At least two (2) courses must be at the 400-level or higher. At least one elective must be a BIO course with laboratory hours. Courses selected in Required Courses may not also be used as electives.
Notes: Credit toward the Biology major may only be earned in BIO 397, 497, and 597 with permission of advisor. Students who choose BIO 546, 566, or 571 must also take the appropriate pre/co-requisite lecture course.
BIO 320
Biology of Microorganisms
4
BIO 324
Eukaryotic Cell Biology
3
BIO 325
Biotechnology
3
BIO 330
Light Microscopy
3
BIO 337
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
4
BIO 365
Environmental Contaminants
3
BIO 390
Comparative Animal Physiology
4
BIO 391
Plant Physiology
4
BIO 392
Mammalian Physiology
4
BIO 397
Special Topics in Biology
1-6
BIO 403WI
Undergraduate Research
3-4
BIO 435
Environmental Toxicology
3
BIO 487/PSY 487
Neuroscience Seminar
1-2
BIO 490
Biomedical Sciences Seminar
1-3
BIO 495
Undergraduate Internship in Biology
1-4
BIO 497
Special Topics in Biology
1-9
BIO 501
Evolution
3
BIO 524
Molecular Biology
3
BIO 534
Endocrinology
3
BIO 536
Histology
3
BIO 537
Immunology
3
BIO 539
Virology
3
BIO 544
Developmental Biology
4
BIO 545
Molecular Genetics
3
BIO 546
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
1
BIO 550
Transmission Electron Microscopy
4
BIO 552
Scanning Electron Microscope Technique
4
BIO 553
Confocal Microscopy
3
BIO 565
Microbial Diversity and Physiology
3
BIO 566
Microbial Diversity and Physiology Laboratory
1
BIO 570
Medical Cell Biology
3-4
BIO 571
Cellular Dynamics Laboratory
1
BIO 575
Applied Bioinformatics
4
BIO 576WI
Mammalian Cell Culture
3
BIO 580
Medical Microbiology
4
BIO 585
Conservation Medicine
3
BIO 590
Cardiovascular Physiology
3
BIO 591
Neurophysiology
3
BIO 595
Cancer Biology
3
BIO 597
Special Topics in Biology
1-9