Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Texas Dallas

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology at UT Dallas is a 120-semester-credit-hour program that combines molecular and cell biology with biochemistry, genetics, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and related sciences, making it well suited to students interested in scientific research, biotechnology, or health professions. Students develop a strong foundation in genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysical chemistry, with upper-level electives offering opportunities to build specialized expertise.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the scientific and quantitative foundation of the degree through CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I, CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II, MATH 2417 Calculus I, and MATH 2419 Calculus II, alongside core curriculum courses and introductory physics. This first year develops the chemistry, mathematics, and physical-science knowledge needed for more advanced molecular biology study.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into core biological sciences with BIOL 2311 Introduction to Modern Biology I, BIOL 2312 Introduction to Modern Biology II, and their associated BIOL 2111/BIOL 2112 workshops, supported by biology laboratory experience through BIOL 2281. Students also continue chemistry and physics, building the interdisciplinary foundation required for upper-level molecular biology coursework.

Year 3: Students progress into advanced molecular and biochemical concepts through BIOL 3461 Biochemistry I, BIOL 3401 Genetics, and BIOL 3380 Biochemistry Laboratory. Major-related electives and upper-level biology or chemistry study allow students to begin shaping the degree around their scientific interests.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced study and laboratory application through courses such as BIOL 3402 Molecular and Cell Biology, BIOL 4380 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, and BIOL 4461 Biochemistry II. Students complete additional upper-division molecular-biology-related electives and free electives, allowing them to deepen their specialization before graduation.

Focus areas

Genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, biotechnology, genetic engineering, biomolecular structure, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, neurobiology.

Learning outcomes

Students develop interdisciplinary scientific knowledge across molecular and cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and related fields, preparing them for scientific careers, graduate study, health professions, and research-oriented employment.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The official UT Dallas program and catalog pages do not state a separate professional accreditation for the BS in Molecular Biology. The degree is designed as preparation for scientific careers in biology and for careers in health professions, with the curriculum providing the required foundation across the biological and physical sciences.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The official UT Dallas Molecular Biology program sources reviewed do not publish a program-specific QS, Guardian, or other employability ranking. UT Dallas does identify Molecular Biology as a program preparing students for employment as research assistants in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, government, and environmental science laboratories.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Texas at Dallas B.S. in Molecular Biology combines laboratory-based coursework with opportunities to participate in faculty-led research, giving students practical experience with modern molecular and cellular biology techniques. Students can develop skills through dedicated teaching laboratories, undergraduate research programs, and research facilities within the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, with opportunities to work alongside faculty on active research projects. These experiences help students connect classroom concepts with experimental methods used in biotechnology, biomedical research, and related life-science fields:

Molecular biology laboratories: Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory courses associated with the Molecular Biology curriculum, including training in experimental techniques used to study DNA, RNA, proteins, cells, and molecular processes.
Undergraduate research: The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in faculty research, allowing Molecular Biology students to gain direct laboratory research experience beyond their required coursework.
Faculty research: Students can explore research involving areas such as molecular genetics, cell biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, and cancer biology, depending on the research laboratory they join.
Research facilities: UTD's Bioengineering and Sciences Building (BSB) houses teaching and research laboratories supporting biological sciences research and provides students with access to a modern scientific research environment.
Advanced instrumentation: Research within the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics uses specialized laboratory and analytical equipment for molecular and cellular biology research, providing opportunities to become familiar with techniques and instrumentation used in contemporary biological science.
Research presentation: Undergraduate researchers can develop scientific communication skills by presenting their research through UTD's undergraduate research programs and research-presentation opportunities.
Computational and data skills: Molecular Biology students can build quantitative and computational skills through coursework and research involving biological data analysis, supporting work in modern molecular biology and biotechnology.
Internships and professional experience: Students can pursue internships and other experiential opportunities through UTD's career resources and the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, complementing laboratory and research experience with professional exposure.
Research and academic resources: Students have access to the McDermott Library, including scientific databases and research resources that support molecular biology coursework and independent research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology at UT Dallas prepares graduates for scientific careers in biology and health-related fields, with the curriculum specifically supporting employment as research assistants in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, government, and environmental science laboratories. The degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate study and professional health programs, while UT Dallas offers accelerated pathways into master's study.

Career roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biotechnology Research Associate, Biological Research Scientist.

Career services: The NSM Career Success Center supports STEM and healthcare students with professional development, while the University Career Center provides career advising, resume and interview support, job-search assistance, employer events, internships, and networking opportunities through Handshake.
Internships: NSM students can use Handshake to search for internships by major, industry, location, and work authorization. The NSM Career Success Center and University Career Center also organize employer events and career experiences, including the Explore the World of Work (EWoW) externship, where students can shadow UTD alumni and employers.
Employment and salary figures: UT Dallas does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the BS in Molecular Biology on its official program pages. The university instead provides career-pathway resources that direct students to U.S. Department of Labor salary information for relevant biological-science occupations.
University–industry and research connections: UT Dallas has an established biomedical research relationship with UT Southwestern Medical Center. Through the Green Fellows Program, UTD undergraduates can undertake paid, semester-long research projects under UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences faculty, gaining experience with modern research techniques, experimental design, teamwork, and biomedical research.
Industry relevance: The official undergraduate catalog identifies pharmaceutical, biotechnology, government, and environmental science laboratories as employment settings for Molecular Biology graduates, demonstrating the degree's direct relevance to laboratory-based industries.
Accreditation value: UT Dallas is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The university is currently preparing for its scheduled 2028 reaffirmation, supporting continued institutional quality assurance and recognition of the university's degrees.
Graduation outcomes: The university's official Molecular Biology program is designed to prepare students for scientific careers, health professions, graduate study, and laboratory research. Students can also use the Graduation Help Desk to address academic or non-academic obstacles that could affect timely degree completion.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into UT Dallas's MS in Molecular and Cell Biology, MS in Biotechnology, or PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology. The Molecular Biology BS also offers Fast Track BS/MS pathways, allowing eligible students to take up to 15 semester credit hours of approved graduate coursework during the senior year toward both degrees; the current catalog lists Fast Track options in Molecular and Cell Biology and Biotechnology, with specified GPA and coursework requirements.