Bachelors in Biological Science - Cell and Molecular Biology Track

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida State University

Program Overview

Florida State University’s Biological Science major offers a Cell and Molecular Biology track for students interested in understanding how cells function at the molecular level, with study spanning genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, development, immunology, microbiology, and related areas. The program suits students preparing for research, medicine, allied health, teaching, or graduate study, with both BA and BS degree options and a 120-credit curriculum.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their biological science foundation through BSC 2010 Biological Science I, BSC 2010L Biological Science I Lab, BSC 2011 Biological Science II, and BSC 2011L Biological Science II Lab, alongside the chemistry, mathematics, and general education requirements that support later biology study. These courses introduce fundamental biological concepts and laboratory work before students progress into upper-division cell and molecular biology.

Year 2: Students move toward more specialized biological science while completing supporting subjects such as chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The curriculum introduces PCB 3063 Genetics, building an understanding of inheritance and genetic processes that becomes central to the Cell and Molecular Biology track.

Year 3: Students begin deeper study of cellular organization and biological research through PCB 3134 Cell Structure and Function, BSC 3402L Experimental Biology Laboratory, and upper-division Cell and Molecular Biology options such as PCB 4024 Molecular Biology or MCB 4403 Prokaryotic Biology. The experimental laboratory develops research-oriented skills and also satisfies FSU’s upper-division writing and oral communication requirements for the major.

Year 4: Students consolidate their specialization through advanced biology electives and PCB 4674 Evolution, while completing additional Cell and Molecular Biology coursework such as PCB 4253 Developmental Biology or PCB 4024 Molecular Biology. Students interested in research can also use approved Directed Individual Study, research methods, honors, or internship experiences toward the biological science coursework requirement.

Focus areas: Cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, virology, microbiology, developmental biology, structural biology, nanotechnology, and molecular mechanisms of cellular processes.

Learning outcomes: Students develop knowledge of biological systems, genetics, cellular structure and function, evolution, experimental biology, laboratory research, scientific communication, and the application of biological principles to research and health-related fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Florida State's official program information does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Biological Science—Cell and Molecular Biology track; the program is offered within FSU’s Department of Biological Science and College of Arts and Sciences.

Reputation (employability rankings): Florida State University reports that it was ranked No. 13 among public universities in The Princeton Review’s 2025 Top 20 Best Schools for Internships list, providing a university-level indicator of access to internship opportunities rather than a ranking specific to the Biological Science major.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Florida State University’s Biological Science program allows students following the Cell and Molecular Biology academic track to develop practical skills through laboratory courses, faculty-led research, independent study, and internships. The track specifically encourages students to gain research experience in faculty laboratories, while FSU’s Biological Science facilities provide access to molecular, imaging, sequencing, microscopy, cell-culture, and analytical technologies used in contemporary biological research.

Students can build hands-on experience through these program-specific opportunities:

Research projects: Directed Individual Study (BSC 4900) allows students with the required GPA to work with a professor on a research or individual-study project for academic credit. Honors in the Major (BSC 4970) provides qualified students with a two-semester independent research experience.
Laboratory courses: Students can choose practical courses such as MCB 4403L Prokaryotic Biology Laboratory and PCB 4233L Immunology Laboratory, directly supporting the Cell and Molecular Biology track.
DNA and molecular facilities: The department provides access to a DNA Sequencing Laboratory, Molecular Cloning Laboratory, Hybridoma Laboratory, Microarray Facility, and Bioanalytical and Molecular Analytical Laboratory.
Imaging technologies: The Biological Science Imaging Resource includes transmission and scanning electron microscopy, quantitative fluorescence microscopy, and laser-scanning confocal microscopy for advanced biological imaging.
Analytical equipment: The analytical facilities include HPLCs, gel-scanning densitometers, ultracentrifuges, and PCR equipment, giving students access to tools used in molecular and cellular research.
Computational resources: FSU identifies computerized molecular modeling and gene database facilities among the resources supporting Cell and Molecular Biology research.
Cell-culture research: Dedicated cell-culture facilities are available within the department's wider research infrastructure, supporting research involving cellular systems.
Internships: Students can pursue internships outside FSU in biological, medical, or animal-related areas; eligible internships can contribute up to four credit hours toward the Biology major.
Research environments: FSU's research laboratories are located across the King Life Sciences Building, Biological Science Unit I, Institute of Molecular Biophysics, and Biomedical Research Building, with additional access to facilities such as the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Greenhouse research: FSU maintains on-campus and off-campus greenhouses that support research in areas including cell and molecular biology, genetics, and plant physiology, with some space also used for undergraduate biology courses.
Research exposure: Students can work with faculty whose Cell and Molecular Biology research spans molecular genetics, genomics, immunology, virology, developmental biology, cell structure, gene expression, and cellular mechanisms.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Cell and Molecular Biology Track prepares students for careers and further study in areas such as molecular genetics, immunology, virology, microbiology, structural biology, and biotechnology. FSU specifically notes that students following this track often pursue research, medicine, allied health, teaching, or graduate study in genetics, cell biology, or molecular biology.

Career roles: Biological Laboratory Technician, Biotechnologist, Biostatistician, Bioinformatics Specialist. FSU also identifies research scientist, geneticist, microbiologist, medical technologist, and scientific writer among related career paths.

Career support: The FSU Career Center provides career advising, individual career-action planning, a dedicated career liaison for Biological Sciences, career and internship fairs, and NoleNetwork for jobs and career events.
Employment and salary: FSU's Biological Sciences career guide reports salary ranges of $32,430–$58,870 at the introductory level, $45,980–$100,730 mid-career, and $89,800–$208,000+ for experienced roles across sample occupations related to the major. These are occupation-based ranges rather than guaranteed salaries for graduates.
Graduate outcomes: FSU's destination research identifies biological-science graduates moving into both employment and graduate education; its Class of 2019 report found that more than 35% of biological-science graduates entered graduate education.
Research opportunities: FSU encourages undergraduate students to work with sponsoring faculty and their laboratories, providing a pathway to build research experience and potentially contribute to scientific publications and presentations.
University–industry connections: FSU's Biological Science program identifies biotechnology companies, biomedical-product manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and clinics, and medical laboratories among representative employers for graduates.
Long-term accreditation value: Florida State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. FSU is also currently pursuing Higher Learning Commission accreditation through an accelerated initial-accreditation process.
Research environment: FSU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production university, giving students access to a research-intensive academic environment.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into FSU's M.S. or Ph.D. programs in Biological Science, including the Cell and Molecular Biology area. The Cell and Molecular Biology graduate program offers research-focused master's and doctoral study covering areas such as cell structure, molecular genetics, gene-expression regulation, virology, microbiology, and related biological processes.