Molecular and Cell Biology, BA

The Molecular and Cell Biology, BA at UW–Madison gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom learning and develop practical laboratory and research skills. The program strongly encourages undergraduate laboratory research, allowing students to work with leading researchers and apply concepts from molecular and cellular biology to real research questions. Students can also build hands-on experience through laboratory courses, directed studies, independent research, and senior thesis work.

Students can develop practical skills through these program-specific opportunities:

• Undergraduate research: Students can participate in laboratory research with UW–Madison researchers, gaining practical research experience that complements their coursework and is valued by employers, graduate programs, and professional schools.
• Directed studies: MOL BIOL 699 – Directed Studies in Molecular Biology allows students to undertake supervised independent study or research, including work with a mentor from Molecular Biology or another relevant department.
• Laboratory experience: The curriculum offers practical laboratory options including BIOCHEM 207 – Engineering Bacteriophage Laboratory, MICROBIO 304 – Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory, MICROBIO 657 – Bioinformatics for Microbiologists, and ZOOLOGY 555 – Laboratory in Developmental Biology.
• Data and computational tools: Students can choose COMP SCI 220 – Data Science Programming I, providing an opportunity to develop programming and data-science skills relevant to modern biological research. MICROBIO 657 – Bioinformatics for Microbiologists provides another computationally focused option.
• Senior research projects: Students can complete MOL BIOL 691 – Senior Thesis or MOL BIOL 682 – Senior Honors Thesis, providing an opportunity to conduct and present substantial independent research.
• Advanced research environment: The Department of Integrative Biology has more than 40 faculty and affiliated faculty members and conducts research across biological organization from molecular processes to ecosystems, giving students access to a broad research environment.
• Cross-disciplinary facilities and research: UW–Madison's wider biological research environment includes the Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging and the Cellular and Molecular Biology community, connecting molecular and cellular research across departments and research areas. 

The Molecular and Cell Biology, BA at UW–Madison provides a strong foundation in molecular mechanisms, genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and experimental science, preparing students for careers across research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and related fields. The program is particularly suited to students interested in research careers, clinical or health professions, and biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries, while also supporting diverse pathways such as forensics, genetic counseling, science journalism, and patent law.

Typical job roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biotechnology Associate, Pharmaceutical Research Associate

Career and employment support:

• SuccessWorks: Provides one-on-one career advising, career events, internship resources, research opportunities, and connections with alumni and employers to help students pursue jobs, internships, or graduate school.
• Academic advising: Molecular and Cell Biology students work with a dedicated academic advisor to plan their major and academic pathway.
• Undergraduate research: Students can work with leading UW–Madison researchers in faculty laboratories, gaining practical research experience valued by employers, graduate programs, and professional schools.
• Research fellowships: Opportunities include the Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship, which provides approximately 100 awards annually with $3,000 for the student researcher, as well as Sophomore Research Fellowships and Undergraduate Research Scholars.

Employment and salary outcomes: UW–Madison's published first-destination data provide university-wide bachelor's outcomes rather than a Molecular and Cell Biology-specific salary. The university reports 90% of bachelor's graduates were employed, pursuing continuing education, serving in the military, volunteering, or engaged in entrepreneurship, while the reported median full-time salary was $73,000.

University–industry connections: Students gain employer-relevant experience through laboratory research and scientific experimentation, with research experience explicitly identified by UW–Madison as valuable to employers and professional schools. The program also prepares students for biotechnology and pharmaceutical science industries and related areas including biochemistry, genetics, oncology, microbiology, and developmental biology.

Long-term accreditation value: UW–Madison is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university was first accredited in 1913, last accredited in 2019, and is scheduled for its next reaccreditation process in 2028–29, providing continuing institutional accreditation for the degree.

Graduation outcomes: Graduates develop skills in experimental design, scientific communication, quantitative reasoning, genetics, biochemistry, cellular systems, and microbiology, supporting progression into research, industry, healthcare, and further professional education.

Further Academic Progression: After the bachelor's degree, students can progress to UW–Madison's Cellular and Molecular Biology MS or PhD pathways. The CMB graduate program is research-oriented and interdisciplinary, with opportunities to work across 40 departments and more than 200 faculty members in areas such as cancer biology, developmental biology, immunology, molecular and genome biology, RNA biology, systems biology, and virology.