Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)

Students in Harvard’s A.B. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) gain practical experience by applying molecular and cellular biology concepts through laboratory-based coursework and independent research. The program integrates biology with chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science, while the MCB department provides access to research laboratories across Harvard’s Cambridge campus, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and affiliated hospitals. The program also requires students to complete at least one semester of research, making hands-on scientific investigation a central part of the degree.

• Laboratory Research: Students complete a required research experience through options including LS 100r, MCB 91, MCB 99, or an approved summer research experience.
• Discovery-Based Laboratory: MCB 60: Cellular Biology and Molecular Medicine includes weekly sections combining a discovery-based laboratory research project with problem-solving and analysis of primary scientific literature.
• Independent Research: MCB students can conduct research in Harvard laboratories covering areas across the life sciences, including laboratories on the Cambridge campus, at Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and affiliated hospitals.
• Research for Credit: MCB 91: Research for Credit in Molecular and Cellular Biology allows students to undertake laboratory research in an MCB-related topic under the supervision of an approved laboratory sponsor and submit a final research paper.
• Honors Research: MCB 99A&B: Laboratory Research for Honors Thesis provides an extended laboratory research pathway for students completing an honors thesis, requiring both fall and spring research enrollment.
• Research Funding: Harvard’s Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Office (URAF) supports undergraduate research through programs including the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP), PRISE, SURGH, and the Herchel-Smith Undergraduate Science Research Program.
• Summer Research: The MCB department identifies approved summer research experiences as an option for satisfying the concentration’s research requirement, while URAF provides several summer research funding opportunities.
• Faculty Research Matching: MCB students can work with concentration advisors, the Undergraduate Science Research Advisor, and MCB faculty to identify laboratories matching their scientific interests. Harvard also maintains information on available undergraduate research positions.
• Molecular Biology Integration: The curriculum combines molecular and cellular biology with chemistry, genetics, computer science, and engineering, giving students opportunities to approach biological problems using methods from multiple scientific disciplines.
• Quantitative Biology: The Quantitative MCB Track incorporates higher-level quantitative courses and requires mathematics/statistics coursework, with upper-level options including MCB 111, MCB 112, MCB 128, MCB 198, and MCB 199.
• Research Facilities: MCB students can access Harvard research infrastructure including the Bauer Core Facility, Center for Nanoscale Systems, DNA Sequencing Facility, Genome Modification Facility, Harvard Center for Biological Imaging, Neurotechnology Core, Proteomics Mass Spectrometry Facility, and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Facility through relevant research environments.
• Tutorial Support: MCB concentrators receive a personalized tutorial program, with tutors from Harvard’s Board of Tutors in Biochemical Sciences supporting their academic development.
• MCB Undergraduate Library: The MCB Undergraduate Office houses a tutorial reference library containing books and hard copies of past senior theses, while three additional rooms are available for tutorial meetings and student study.
• Scientific Literature: MCB coursework specifically develops students’ ability to critically review scientific literature and evidence, with laboratory sections incorporating primary-literature discussions.
• Thesis Development: Students pursuing the highest honors can complete a research thesis, with MCB 99 research contributing to the advanced-course requirement for honors eligibility. 

The Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) at Harvard prepares students for careers spanning biological and medical research, biotechnology, public health, science policy, education, and science communication. The program combines rigorous study of molecular and cellular processes with hands-on laboratory research, and Harvard requires MCB concentrators to complete at least one semester of research, while a senior thesis can provide an additional research-intensive pathway.

Typical career roles: Research Associate, Laboratory Research Technician, Biotechnology Research Associate, Scientific/Science Communications Specialist

: Harvard provides several research, career-development, and professional resources that can help MCB graduates move from undergraduate study into employment or advanced education:

• Research Experience: Every MCB concentrator must complete one semester of research for credit, through options including LS/MCB 100: Experimental Research in Life Sciences, MCB 91: Research for Credit in Molecular and Cellular Biology, or MCB 99: Laboratory Research for Honors Thesis.
• Research Network: Students can conduct research in laboratories across Harvard’s Cambridge campus, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and affiliated hospitals, giving the degree a strong connection to biomedical research.
• Harvard Research Funding: The Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) provides term-time and summer research funding, while PRISE provides summer funding and housing; additional opportunities include the Herchel-Smith Undergraduate Science Research Program and Faculty Aide Program.
• Career Support: Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) supports students with career advising and also supports a limited number of summer independent internships, including research internships.
• MCB Mentoring: MCB students receive a Tutor from the Board of Tutors in Biochemical Sciences, with regular intellectual and professional mentoring through discussions of primary scientific literature and topics connected to the student's interests.
• Senior Thesis: Students pursuing an honors thesis undertake a year-long, 8-credit research course, normally working around 15 hours per week during the term, with faculty mentorship in research and scientific writing.
• Industry-Relevant Research: MCB's curriculum covers areas directly connected with modern biotechnology and biomedical research, including genomics, systems biology, stem-cell and developmental biology, immunology, cancer biology, molecular medicine, microbiome research, and infectious disease.
• Post-Baccalaureate Opportunities: Harvard's MCB science education resources publish post-baccalaureate research positions, including opportunities connected with institutions such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, HHMI, and the Broad Institute.
• Employment Outcomes: Harvard reports that 96% of Harvard graduates secured their post-graduation plans within six months of graduation. This is a Harvard-wide figure rather than an MCB-specific employment rate, so it should not be interpreted as the employment rate for MCB graduates alone.
• Salary Figures: Harvard's official MCB undergraduate sources reviewed do not publish a current MCB-specific graduate median salary or salary range. No third-party salary figure is substituted.
• University–Industry Pathways: The MCB research environment connects students with research across Harvard's biomedical ecosystem, while post-baccalaureate opportunities advertised through Harvard include positions associated with organizations such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, HHMI, and the Broad Institute.
• Accreditation Value: Harvard's official MCB undergraduate information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the concentration. The program's value for long-term progression is instead supported by its research requirement, senior-thesis pathway, interdisciplinary STEM preparation, and preparation for biological and medical research and further professional study.
• Graduation Outcomes: Harvard states that MCB graduates are positioned for careers in biological and medical research, public and global health, science policy, law and intellectual property, business, education, and science writing.

Further Academic Progression: MCB graduates can continue into PhD programs in molecular and cellular biology and related life-science disciplines, as well as medical and other health-professional education. Harvard's own MCB graduate program covers advanced research in molecular and cellular biology, while the undergraduate concentration's research and thesis opportunities can provide substantial preparation for research-intensive postgraduate study.