BA in Biology—Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Genetics Specialization

Boston University’s Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Genetics specialization gives students the opportunity to develop practical laboratory and research skills alongside their academic studies. Students can work with Biology faculty and researchers, gain experience in areas such as genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, and bioinformatics, and use specialized facilities and equipment designed to support modern biological research. The program also provides several ways to become involved in research for credit, through funding opportunities, or through an Honors pathway:

• Laboratory-based coursework: The CMG specialization requires students to complete at least three biology courses with laboratory components. Depending on their course choices, students can gain hands-on experience through courses such as CAS BI 213, BI 216, BI 315, BI 513, BI 550, and BI 586.

• Undergraduate research: Students can take part in research through courses including CAS BI 140/141, BI 240/241, BI 340/341/350/351/352, and BI 450/451/452/453. Up to eight advanced research units can contribute toward major electives, with four units potentially counting toward the laboratory requirement.

• Research in active laboratories: Students can conduct research with Boston University Biology faculty or researchers outside the Biology Department. Around 100 Biology students each year participate in research in faculty and external laboratories.

• Cell and molecular research: The department's research covers areas including cell signaling, gene regulation, apoptosis, systems biology, immunology, cancer biology, metabolism, genetics, genomics, and microbiology. Students can encounter research techniques involving genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, and bioinformatics.

• Specialized research facilities: Students have access to facilities supporting research with freshwater and saltwater organisms, animal-care facilities, environmental chambers, and equipment for electron, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy, as well as biochemical, physiological, molecular, and genetic research.

• Teaching and research laboratories: Biology teaching laboratories are located in the Metcalf Science Center, while research laboratories are located across Boston University’s Biology research facilities.

• Computational and digital research: The program develops students’ ability to analyze biological data and use modelling and simulation. The department’s research environment also incorporates bioinformatics and computational approaches to cell and molecular biology.

• Research funding: Students can seek research support through Work-Study and Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), helping them gain experience while contributing to active research projects.

• Honors Research: Students with senior standing and a 3.5 overall GPA can pursue an Honors Research pathway. This includes two terms of research, CAS BI 402 Honors Research, an Honors Seminar, and a written senior thesis followed by a faculty defense.

• Interdisciplinary research: Students benefit from Boston University’s wider life-science research environment, with connections across fields such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences, and Computing and Data Sciences.

• Specialized research cores: Boston University provides additional research infrastructure, including the Cellular Imaging Core, with wide-field, confocal, and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, as well as resources such as the Microarray and Sequencing Resource Core and Molecular Genetics Core.

Boston University’s BA in Biology with a Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Genetics specialization gives students a strong foundation for careers and further study in the biological and biomedical sciences. With advanced knowledge, laboratory experience, research opportunities, and analytical skills, graduates can pursue roles in research, biotechnology, healthcare, and related scientific fields or continue into postgraduate education.

Typical career options include Biomedical Researcher, Molecular Biology Researcher, Cell Biology Researcher, Genetics Researcher, and Biotechnology Researcher. Students can build their professional profile through research experience, career guidance, networking, and opportunities to connect their academic learning with real-world scientific work:

• Career development: Boston University’s Center for Career Development (CCD) offers career advising, job and internship resources, employer career fairs, professional-development workshops, résumé reviews, interview preparation, alumni networking, and access to Handshake. Students interested in science and technology can also use the STEM-focused career resources.

• Employment outcomes: BU’s 2025 First Destination Survey reported that 61% of surveyed graduates entered full-time employment and 25% continued into graduate or professional school. The survey also found that 87% had completed experiential learning and 72% had completed an internship before graduation. These figures represent undergraduate students across Boston University and are not specific to the CMG specialization.

• Starting salary: The 2025 survey reported a mean starting salary of $74,956, based on 580 respondents. This is a university-wide undergraduate figure and should not be considered a guaranteed or CMG-specific salary.

• Research experience: CMG students can gain valuable professional experience by working with Boston University Biology faculty or researchers outside the department. Research can be completed for academic credit, while opportunities through UROP and Work-Study can provide additional support for undergraduate research.

• Employer connections: Boston University graduates have gone on to work at organizations such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Merck & Co., Philips Healthcare, and Sanofi Genzyme. These are examples of organizations connected with BU graduates and are not guaranteed employers or specific placements for CMG students.

• Long-term professional value: The CMG specialization does not have a separate professional accreditation. Its value comes from combining specialized knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics with laboratory, research, data-analysis, and scientific problem-solving skills that can support a wide range of careers and further study.

• Graduation outcomes: Boston University tracks graduate destinations through its First Destination Survey, covering employment and continued education after graduation. BU does not publicly provide separate employment and salary figures for the CMG specialization, so university-wide statistics should be viewed as general indicators rather than program-specific guarantees.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue into graduate or professional education in areas related to their interests. Boston University specifically offers a dual BA/MS in Biology for eligible students pursuing the Biology major with the CMG specialization, while graduates can also progress to master's or doctoral programs in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, and related disciplines, as well as professional pathways in healthcare and medicine.