BS in Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology — Cell & Molecular Biology Option (MCCM)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Auburn University

Program Overview

The BS in Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology — Cell & Molecular Biology Option (MCCM) at Auburn University provides a strong foundation in cellular and molecular biology, with an emphasis on understanding eukaryotic life through biology, chemistry, genetics, biochemistry and laboratory science. It is well suited to students interested in biotechnology, biomedical research, pharmaceutical discovery, eukaryotic cell and molecular biology, or future professional study in areas such as medicine, dentistry and optometry.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish the scientific and academic foundation for the degree through BIOL 1020 Principles of Biology, BIOL 1030 Organismal Biology, and their associated laboratory courses, alongside CHEM 1030/1040 Fundamentals Chemistry I and II and chemistry laboratories. The year also introduces the broader scientific pathway through BIOL 2100 Professional Development and supporting mathematics, physics and core courses.

Year 2: The second year develops stronger foundations in genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry and quantitative science. Students take BIOL 3000 Genetics, BIOL 3001 General Genetics Laboratory, BIOL 3200 General Microbiology, BIOL 3201 General Microbiology Laboratory, CHEM 2070/2080 Organic Chemistry I and II, and MATH 1610 Calculus I, with Calculus II or Statistics for Biological and Health Sciences also available in the curriculum.

Year 3: Students move into advanced cellular and molecular study through BCHE 5180/5190 Biochemistry I and II, BIOL 4100 Cell Biology, and BIOL 4101 Cell Biology Laboratory. The curriculum also includes BIOL 5220 Introductory Molecular Genetics, BIOL 5521 Gene Expression and Recombinant DNA Laboratory, physics and an MMCB elective, giving students deeper exposure to molecular mechanisms and experimental biology.

Year 4: The final year allows students to broaden and specialize their biological knowledge through Evolution Elective, Physiology Elective, Biodiversity Elective, Biology electives and additional MMCB electives. Students complete BIOL 4950 Senior Seminar and BIOL 4AA0 Professional Development II, bringing together advanced subject knowledge and preparation for postgraduate study or professional careers.

Focus areas: Cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, eukaryotic biology, biochemistry, recombinant DNA, microbiology, evolution, physiology, biodiversity, biotechnology and biomedical research.

Learning outcomes: Understanding life at the cellular and molecular level, applying principles of genetics and biochemistry, developing laboratory and experimental skills, interpreting biological processes, and preparing for research, biotechnology, health-related fields or advanced biological study.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Auburn University lists the BS in Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology — Cell & Molecular Biology Option as an undergraduate degree and as a STEM-designated program for international students. Auburn's official accreditation records include the program within its institutional SACSCOC review; a separate professional accreditation specific to this bachelor's option is not stated on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings): Auburn University does not publish a program-specific employability ranking for the Cell & Molecular Biology option. For university-level recognition, Auburn reported a No. 100 national ranking and No. 46 public-university ranking in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released in September 2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Auburn University’s BS in Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology — Cell & Molecular Biology Option (MCCM) develop practical laboratory and research skills through coursework in genetics, molecular genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and recombinant DNA. The curriculum includes dedicated laboratory courses such as General Genetics Laboratory, Biochemistry Laboratory, Cell Biology Laboratory and Gene Expression/Recombinant DNA Laboratory, while Auburn’s Biological Sciences department provides access to laboratory, computational, instrumentation and collection-based resources. Students can also pursue undergraduate research and internships, allowing them to apply cellular and molecular biology concepts in authentic research settings.

The program’s practical learning opportunities include:

Cell biology laboratory: BIOL 4101 Cell Biology Laboratory provides dedicated practical training alongside the Cell Biology course, supporting hands-on study of cellular processes.
Genetics laboratory: BIOL 3001 General Genetics Laboratory gives students laboratory experience connected to genetics coursework and prepares them for more advanced molecular biology work.
Recombinant DNA research skills: BIOL 5521 Gene Expression/Recombinant DNA Laboratory provides upper-level laboratory experience directly relevant to molecular biology and biotechnology.
Biochemistry laboratory: BCHE 5181 Biochemistry I Laboratory provides practical training in biochemical methods as part of the upper-level curriculum.
Undergraduate research: Auburn specifically states that the Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology major provides opportunities for undergraduate research. Students can pursue BIOL 4980 Undergraduate Research, allowing them to participate in faculty research projects and gain experience beyond standard laboratory classes.
Internship experience: The program’s approved biology electives include BIOL 4920 Internship in Biology, providing a formal pathway to gain practical experience in a biological work environment.
Molecular research instrumentation: Auburn’s research infrastructure includes the Auburn University Research Instrumentation Facility (AURIF), which supports biological sciences research and provides student researchers with instrumentation training, familiarization and specimen-preparation assistance.
Advanced molecular and cellular equipment: Auburn’s Biophysics research facilities include qPCR systems, PCR thermal cyclers, NanoDrop instrumentation, fluorescent microscopy, microbiological incubators, centrifuges, cell-culture equipment and a MiSeq deep-sequencing system, providing a strong research environment for cellular and molecular biology.
Computational and bioinformatic tools: Auburn Biological Sciences supports students and researchers with bioinformatic and computational tools, alongside laboratory instrumentation and research resources.
Collaborative research: Auburn’s biophysics research cluster brings together biology, chemistry and physics researchers and emphasizes shared student training, research skills and cross-disciplinary projects.
Research laboratories: Faculty laboratories provide opportunities to engage with modern molecular and cellular research. For example, Auburn research facilities include laboratories equipped for mammalian cell culture and molecular manipulation of viral and human genetic material, as well as fluorescence microscopy and sequencing technologies.
Research collections and biological resources: The Department of Biological Sciences also connects students with the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and Donald E. Davis Arboretum, which support research, education and biological outreach.
Senior research communication: The curriculum includes BIOL 4950 Senior Seminar, giving students an opportunity to develop and communicate their knowledge at the culmination of the degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology — Cell & Molecular Biology Option gives students a strong foundation for careers involving eukaryotic cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology and biomedical research. Auburn specifically identifies biotechnology, pharmaceutical discovery, biomedical research and health-related professional programs as progression areas for graduates of this option.

Career opportunities: Research Technician, Biotechnology Laboratory Professional, Biomedical Research Assistant, Pharmaceutical Research Professional.

Career development and graduate outcomes:

Career support: Auburn's Career Discovery and Success resources provide a dedicated career pathway for the Cell & Molecular Biology option, connecting students with career information and opportunities relevant to the field.
Undergraduate research: Students have access to faculty-led research and can pursue undergraduate research opportunities within Biological Sciences. Auburn's current research-fellow listings include MCCM students conducting projects on microbial adaptation, microbial competition and molecular mechanisms of infection.
Employment and salary figures: Auburn does not publish a current program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the MCCM Cell & Molecular Biology option on its official program pages. An older official COSAM First Destination report for Biological Sciences reported an average salary of $42,833 for the department in the 2021 outcomes data; this is historical Biological Sciences data and should not be treated as a current MCCM-specific salary.
Industry connections: Auburn's Biotechnology Industry Day connects students with biotechnology employers and includes opportunities to discuss internships, co-ops and full-time careers. Companies listed by Auburn have included Avanti Polar Lipids, Evonik Birmingham Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson, Labcorp and SouthernBiotech.
Biotechnology exposure: Auburn students have also participated in biotechnology internships through the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, including an eight-week BioTrain experience at the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus.
Research-industry environment: Auburn's Research Instrumentation Facility provides research instrumentation services to Auburn student researchers and supports biological sciences research, while also serving businesses and private industry.
Graduation outcomes: The degree is designed to prepare graduates for postgraduate study and career advancement in eukaryotic cell and molecular biology, biotechnology and health sciences. Auburn also identifies medicine, dentistry and optometry as professional pathways that the major can support.
Accreditation value: Auburn's official program information does not state a separate professional accreditation specific to the MCCM Cell & Molecular Biology option, so no additional accreditation claim is made here.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Auburn's MS or PhD in Biological Sciences, where graduate research can be pursued in areas including cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, ecology and evolution. The bachelor's degree can also provide preparation for professional health programs, including medicine, dentistry and optometry, depending on the student's prerequisite and admission requirements.