Bachelors in Cell and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Tulane University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology at Tulane University explores how cells, genes, and biomolecules function at the molecular level, combining biology with chemistry, physics, genetics, and biochemistry. It is suited to students interested in biological research, biotechnology, medicine, allied health professions, and understanding biological mechanisms through experimentation and data analysis.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through CELL 1010 Intro to Cell & Molec Biology, CELL 2050 Genetics, General Chemistry I and II with laboratories, Calculus I, and Statistics for Scientists. This year introduces cellular organization, genetics, chemistry, quantitative reasoning, and laboratory-based scientific study.

Year 2: Students move deeper into molecular and cellular science with CELL 3030 Molecular Biology, CELL 3750 Cell Biology, and CELL 2115 General Biology Lab, alongside Organic Chemistry I and II with their laboratories. The curriculum develops students' understanding of molecular processes, cell structure and function, genetics, and experimental laboratory methods.

Year 3: The program expands into advanced interdisciplinary study through CELL 4010 Cellular Biochemistry or another approved biochemistry option, physics with laboratory work, and CELL 3755 Cell Biology Laboratory or CELL 3035 Molecular Biology Lab. Students can also begin selecting upper-level laboratory and lecture electives that connect cell biology with areas such as physiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, microbiology, or bioinformatics.

Year 4: Students complete advanced electives and a required capstone experience, with options including CELL 3400 Regenerative Biology, CELL 4250 Principles in Immunology, CELL 4440 Advanced Molecular Biology, CELL 4450 Genome Biology, CELL 4710 Molecular Biology of Cancer, independent research, or an Honors Thesis. The final year therefore allows students to apply their accumulated knowledge to an advanced scientific topic, research project, written work, poster defense, or oral presentation.

Focus areas: Cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, developmental biology, regenerative biology, neuroscience, immunology, virology, microbiology, biochemistry, genomics, bioinformatics, and biomedical science.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms, conduct and interpret laboratory research, analyze experimental data, critically evaluate scientific literature, and communicate scientific findings through written, oral, or research presentations.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official Tulane sources do not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Cell and Molecular Biology major. Tulane University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees; the university's accreditation was reaffirmed in 2022.

Reputation (employability rankings): Tulane's official Career Services publishes Graduating Student Survey Outcomes covering employment, continuing education, employers, industries, locations, and year-by-year trends. The official source does not publish a specific QS, Guardian, or other external employability ranking for the Cell and Molecular Biology major, so no program-specific ranking is stated here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Tulane University’s Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology combines classroom learning with hands-on laboratory work, independent research, and access to modern biomedical research facilities. Students complete required laboratory courses in general biology, molecular biology, and cell biology, while the curriculum also allows independent laboratory research to count toward an elective requirement. Undergraduates can join faculty research laboratories, including labs at the Tulane Health Sciences Center, gaining experience with real research questions in areas such as developmental biology, regenerative medicine, neuroscience, molecular genetics, and microbiology.

Students can develop practical and research skills through these opportunities:

Laboratory courses: Students complete CELL 2115 General Biology Lab, CELL 3035 Molecular Biology Lab, and CELL 3755 Cell Biology Lab, with additional laboratory-based electives available within the major.
Independent research: CELL 4910/4920 Research Independent Studies and CELL 4990/5000 Honors Thesis allow students to undertake faculty-supervised laboratory research; independent research can also satisfy one laboratory elective requirement.
Faculty research laboratories: Undergraduates can work in CMB faculty laboratories, generally committing 8–12 hours per week for at least two semesters; research opportunities are also available at the Tulane Health Sciences Center, with Tulane Shuttle transportation between campuses.
Summer research: The Jonathan Ching Undergraduate Summer Fellowship provides $3,000–$4,000 research stipends to selected undergraduate CMB researchers; applicants submit a research proposal, transcript, and résumé and must have a 3.2+ GPA.
Research equipment: Department facilities include DNA thermocyclers, Bio-Rad digital gel and phosphoimagers, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, a fermenter/bioreactor, SpeedVac concentrator, ultralow-temperature freezers, autoclaves, and tissue-culture resources.
Specialized facilities: Students working in the department's research environment can benefit from the Tulane Transgenic Mouse Facility, Neuroscience Core Lab, and Animal Cell and Tissue Culture Facility.
Advanced imaging and molecular research: The department's research infrastructure includes confocal and deconvolution microscopes, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, tissue-culture facilities, and a transgenic and knockout mouse core facility.
Research areas: Faculty research covers developmental biology, regenerative medicine, neuroscience, molecular biology, cellular neuroscience, environmental biology, microbiology, carcinogenesis, and bioremediation, giving students multiple directions for research experience.
Professional exposure: CELL 2220 Careers in Cell and Molecular Biology brings established professionals into the course, provides networking opportunities, and helps students develop CVs and cover letters while learning about research and clinical career opportunities.
Health Sciences access: CMB research students can access laboratories and research environments at the Tulane Health Sciences Center, creating opportunities to connect undergraduate biological science with biomedical research.
Library resources: Tulane's research environment includes access to university library resources, with the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library serving as a major nearby academic library and additional library facilities available at the Health Sciences Center.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor’s in Cell and Molecular Biology at Tulane University prepares graduates for opportunities in biological research, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, education, and government. The degree also provides a strong foundation for professional and graduate education, including medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, nursing, and graduate study in biology or biomedical sciences.

Career roles: Research Laboratory Professional, Biotechnology Professional, Pharmaceutical Industry Professional, Biological Researcher.

Career preparation: The Cell 2220 – Careers in Cell and Molecular Biology seminar introduces students to career paths through established professionals, networking, and practical guidance on preparing a CV and cover letter. Students can also use Tulane Career Services for career coaching, internships, employer events, and job searches through Handshake.
Employment opportunities: Tulane's Handshake platform provides access to thousands of job and internship opportunities, employer events, and on-campus recruiting. Career Services also provides resume and interview coaching and industry-specific career resources.
Employment statistics: Tulane publishes undergraduate First Destination Outcomes covering employment and continuing education through its Graduating Student Survey dashboards. The university does not state a Cell and Molecular Biology-specific employment rate or salary figure on the official program pages, so a program-specific figure is not stated.
Salary information: Tulane provides access to Lightcast through Career Services for occupation and real-time labor-market salary data, but an official salary figure specifically for Cell and Molecular Biology graduates is not published on the program's official pages.
University–industry partnerships: The Tulane Innovation Institute connects companies with Tulane research through sponsored research, technology licensing, access to specialized facilities, research consortia, and student recruitment. Its life-sciences focus includes therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, precision medicine, infectious disease, gene therapy, and other human-health research areas relevant to CMB graduates.
Research-to-industry opportunities: Tulane's Center of Excellence for Microphysiological Systems brings together researchers, clinicians, engineers, industry partners, and regulatory experts, while supporting pathways from laboratory research toward biotechnology commercialization.
Research experience: Undergraduate CMB students can conduct research in department laboratories and at the Tulane Health Sciences Center. The department also offers the Jonathan Ching Undergraduate Summer Fellowship, with one to three summer research stipends of $3,000–$4,000 for eligible students.
Long-term accreditation value: Tulane University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. Its accreditation was reaffirmed in 2022, with the next decennial reaffirmation scheduled for 2031–2032.
Graduation outcomes: Tulane's official Graduating Student Survey provides outcomes covering employment, continuing education, employers, industries, locations, and degree levels, allowing students to review post-graduation pathways through interactive dashboards.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into graduate or professional education depending on their career goals. Tulane offers a Master of Science and PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology, while the bachelor's program also provides preparation for medical, dental, physical therapy, nursing, and other health-professional programs.