University of Portland Bulletin 2025-2026

Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Science, B.S.

The Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Science B.S. major in biology is designed to provide students with advanced studies within the cellular, molecular, and biomedical sciences, in preparation for future graduate programs, professional health degrees, or biomedical research careers. In this curriculum, students relate the structures of molecules, cells, and tissues to their biological functions within organisms. From this foundation, students will be able to apply their molecular biology skills to solve problems in health and disease. The program is suitable for either a terminal degree or as preparation for medical or dental schools, veterinary professional programs, or graduate study in the molecular sciences. The degree program requires 120 credit hours.

Learning Outcomes for Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Science B.S. Majors

Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical B.S. graduates of the University of Portland will be able to:

  1. Apply the scientific process to investigate aspects of cell, molecular, and biomedical sciences by asking questions, critically evaluating scientific literature, creating hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, and formulating conclusions.
  2. Communicate cell, molecular, and biomedical sciences concepts, data interpretations, and significant conclusions to scientists and non-scientists, particularly in writing.
  3. Connect macromolecule structures to their cellular functions and their role in health and disease.
  4. Plan and execute experiments in molecular, cellular, and genetic disciplines.

UP Core Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See UP Core Requirements

Two of the three core requirements in the Science & Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.

At least 10 credit hours of electives and/or Exploration Level courses in the University Core Curriculum must be upper-division courses.

BIO 277 with BIO 278, and the Capstone courses are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.S. in Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Science

College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Requirements — 6 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.S.

Major Requirements — 60-63 credit hours

Required Courses - 27-28 credit hours

BIO 207Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

3
BIO 277Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab

1
BIO 208Introduction to Evolution and Ecology

3
BIO 278Introduction to Evolution and Ecology Lab

1
CHM 207General Chemistry I

3
CHM 277General Chemistry I Lab

1
CHM 208General Chemistry II

3
CHM 278General Chemistry II Lab

1
CHM 325Organic Chemistry I

3
CHM 375Organic Chemistry I Lab

1
CHM 326Organic Chemistry II

3
CHM 376Organic Chemistry II Lab

1
MTH 161Elementary Statistics

3
Or
MTH 201Calculus I

4

Select One Option - 6-8 credit hours

Select one of the following three options that constitute a progression or series:

Option 1: Physics – 8 credit hours

PHY 201College Physics I

3
PHY 202College Physics II

3
PHY 271College Physics Lab I

1
PHY 272College Physics Lab II

1

Option 2: Mathematics – 6 credit hours

MTH 361Applied Statistics I

3
Or
BIO 351Data Analysis in Biology and Medicine

3
MTH 381Math Modeling

3

Option 3: Computer Science – 6-7 credit hours

CS 203Introduction to Computer Science

3
with
CS 273Computer Science Laboratory

1
And
CS 423/BIO 423/CS 523Computational Biology

3
Or
BIO 385Python Coding in Biology

2

At least three upper-division cell and molecular biology labs with corresponding lectures - 12 credit hours

Select three labs with corresponding 3-credit hour lecture courses from the following:
BIO 333Genetics Lab

1
with
BIO 330Genetics

3
BIO 361Microbiology Lab

1
with
BIO 366Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2

1
with
BIO 306Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

3
BIO 372Cell and Molecular Biology Lab

1
with
BIO 354Cell and Molecular Biology

3
BIO 376Developmental Biology Lab

1
with
BIO 336Developmental Biology

3
BIO 470Immunology Lab

1
with
BIO 400Immunology

3

At least one upper-division ecology, evolution, and conservation biology lab with corresponding lecture - 4 credit hours

Select one lab with corresponding 3-credit hour lecture course from the following:
BIO 313/ENV 313Freshwater Ecology Lab

1
with
BIO 312/ENV 312Freshwater Ecology

3
BIO 323Entomology Lab

1
with
BIO 303Entomology

3
BIO 343Ecology Lab

1
with
BIO 340Ecology

3
BIO 350Plants and Civilization Lab

1
with
BIO 325Plants and Civilization

3
BIO 358Mammal Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation Lab

1
with
BIO 318Mammal Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation

3
BIO 360Comparative Anatomy

1
with
BIO 310Comparative Physiology

3
BIO 362Ornithology Lab

1
with
BIO 302Ornithology

3
BIO 368Marine Biology Lab

1
with
BIO 338Marine Biology

3
BIO 371Field Botany

1
with
BIO 341The Nature of Plants

3
BIO 374Wetlands Ecology Lab

1
with
BIO 304Wetlands Ecology

3
BIO 375Vertebrate Biology Lab

1
with
BIO 345Vertebrate Biology

3
BIO 311Comparative Biomechanics: How organisms move and interact with their environment

3
with
Any 3-credit hour Ecology and Evolution Lecture course
This option will apply 2-credit hours towards upper division biology electives as well as satisfying the Ecology and Evolution lecture/lab requirement.

3

Capstone - 3 credit hours

BIO 410Advances in Biomedical Science

3

BIO 497, BIO 499 or 497 internships from outside Biology may fulfill the capstone requirement with pre-approval of the department chair.

 

Upper-division biology electives - 8 credit hours

A maximum of six non-classroom credit hours (from BIO 397/BIO 485/BIO 493/BIO 497/BIO 499) may be used for completion of the major. A maximum of three upper-division electives in BIO 397 or BIO 485 may be Pass/No Pass for completion of the major.

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Total Credit Hours: 120