Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northeastern University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology at Northeastern University provides focused scientific training in the cellular and molecular processes of biological systems, supported by mathematics, chemistry, physics, genetics and genomics. It suits students interested in biotechnology, stem-cell research, microbiology, immunology, biomedical research or professional pathways such as medicine, while combining laboratory-based learning with Northeastern’s experiential education model.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through Foundations of Biology, Inquiries in Biological Sciences, and General Chemistry for Science Majors, alongside Calculus and first-year writing. The sample four-year plan also introduces Genetics and Molecular Biology during the summer, establishing the foundation for more advanced cellular and molecular study.

Year 2: Students progress into Organic Chemistry 1, Biology Project Lab, and Biochemistry, while also developing quantitative and physical-science skills through Biostatistics and Physics for Life Sciences 1. Professional Development for Co-op is introduced during this stage, and the published sample plan includes a co-op period after the academic year.

Year 3: The curriculum moves into advanced cellular and molecular study with Cell and Molecular Biology, supported by Advanced Writing in the Sciences and Physics for Life Sciences 2. Students can also use intermediate or advanced electives to explore areas such as stem cells, immunology, microbiology, biological imaging or microbial biotechnology, with co-op periods incorporated into the sample plan.

Year 4: Students complete Advanced Genomics and select advanced Cell and Molecular Biology electives that allow deeper specialization, alongside the program’s capstone requirement. Options include Biology Capstone, Biology Research Capstone, or the Junior/Senior Honors Project, while a research course or internship may also satisfy an advanced elective requirement.

Focus Areas

Cellular and molecular biology, genetics, genomics, biochemistry, microbiology, stem-cell biology, immunology, biological imaging, developmental biology, microbial biotechnology, physiology, and neuroscience.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop scientific knowledge and practical skills for analyzing biological data, conducting quantitative and formal scientific reasoning, applying molecular and cellular biology methods, communicating scientific information, completing research or capstone work, and pursuing further study or careers across the life sciences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accreditation: Northeastern’s official program and catalog pages do not state a specialized professional accreditation for the B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology; therefore, no program-specific accreditation is listed.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Experiential learning: Northeastern states that its cooperative education program was ranked No. 1 in internships and co-ops by U.S. News & World Report in 2025, providing a university-wide employability indicator relevant to the program’s co-op model.

Industry exposure: Northeastern’s Biology department highlights co-op opportunities in the Boston-area biotechnology industry, hospitals and research institutions, as well as opportunities across the United States and internationally. Recent Cell and Molecular Biology student examples include co-ops with Moderna and research placements at Harvard Medical School.

Program progression: Northeastern also offers eligible Cell and Molecular Biology students accelerated pathways into graduate programs including the M.S. in Bioinformatics, M.S. in Biotechnology, and M.S. in Cell and Gene Therapies, subject to the relevant program requirements.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Northeastern University’s B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology gain practical experience through laboratory courses, undergraduate research and Northeastern’s signature cooperative education program. The program gives students opportunities to work with modern molecular and cellular biology techniques while learning in research-focused facilities and collaborating with faculty on biological research. Students can also apply their classroom knowledge through co-op placements with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare and research organizations:

Laboratory training: Students complete hands-on laboratory courses in areas such as cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry, developing practical skills in experimental design, laboratory techniques and biological analysis.
Undergraduate research: Northeastern provides opportunities for students to participate in faculty-led research, allowing them to contribute to active research projects in areas including molecular and cellular biology, genetics, microbiology and related biomedical sciences.
Co-op experience: Northeastern’s Cooperative Education Program allows students to gain substantial professional experience through full-time work placements integrated into their undergraduate studies. Co-op opportunities can connect biology students with employers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and research.
Research facilities: Students can benefit from Northeastern’s research infrastructure, including laboratories supporting cell and molecular biology, genomics, imaging, microbiology and biomedical research.
Bioengineering & biotechnology environment: Northeastern’s Institute for Chemical Imaging of Living Systems (CILS) brings together researchers using advanced imaging technologies to study biological processes in living systems, providing a strong research environment for students interested in cellular and molecular science.
Advanced imaging: CILS research uses technologies such as advanced microscopy and chemical imaging to investigate biological processes, giving students exposure to modern approaches used in cellular research.
Center for Drug Discovery: The Center for Drug Discovery provides an interdisciplinary research environment focused on discovering and developing new therapeutic approaches, connecting molecular and cellular biology with pharmaceutical research.
Group-based learning: Laboratory courses require students to work collaboratively on experiments, analyze results and communicate scientific findings, building teamwork alongside technical laboratory skills.
Career-focused experience: Through co-op, students can test their academic interests in professional settings and develop workplace skills before graduation.
Research libraries and resources: Northeastern University Libraries provide access to scientific journals, databases, research literature and other resources that support laboratory coursework and independent research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology prepares students for careers across biotechnology, pharmaceutical and clinical research, while also building a strong foundation for medical, graduate and other professional programs. Northeastern’s biology programs emphasize co-op opportunities in the Boston biotechnology industry, hospitals and research institutions, giving students a pathway to connect their scientific training with professional experience.

Career roles: Biological Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Research Associate, Biotechnology Researcher. Northeastern also identifies career pathways in industrial and clinical research, teaching, government agencies and health-care professions.
Career services: Northeastern’s co-op and experiential-learning model helps students build résumés through professional experience and develop workplace skills before graduation; the university also provides career-outcomes information and employment/graduate-school tracking.
Employment outcomes: Northeastern reports that 96% of graduates were employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation, including 82.6% employed and 13.4% in graduate school in its current university-wide career-outcomes snapshot.
Salary outcomes: Northeastern’s latest university-wide salary distribution reports 15.8% earning $70,000–$79,000, 11.3% earning $80,000–$89,000, 7.0% earning $90,000–$99,000, and 13.9% earning $120,000 or more; the university does not publish a Cell and Molecular Biology BS-specific median salary on this page.
Industry partnerships: Northeastern’s Center for Research Innovation connects companies with university life-sciences research, faculty expertise and technology, with an active portfolio of 170+ technologies across areas including therapeutics and diagnostics.
Biotechnology connections: Northeastern’s biology programs provide co-op opportunities across the Boston-area biotechnology industry, hospitals and research institutions, while individual Cell and Molecular Biology students have completed co-ops with companies such as Moderna, gaining experience in laboratory experimentation and data analysis.
Accreditation value: Not specifically stated: Northeastern’s official Cell and Molecular Biology BS materials do not identify a dedicated professional accreditation for this program, so no specific accreditation benefit should be assumed.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter life-sciences research and related employment directly or continue into graduate, medical, veterinary, dental, law or business school. Northeastern also lists accelerated graduate options for biology and cell and molecular biology students, including the M.S. in Bioinformatics, M.S. in Biotechnology, M.S. in Cell and Gene Therapies, and PhD in Biology.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can pursue Northeastern’s accelerated or graduate programs in Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Cell and Gene Therapies, or Biology, depending on their academic and career goals. The degree also provides preparation for medical, dental, veterinary and other professional schools, as well as graduate-level research in cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology and related life-science disciplines.