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Bachelor of Science
On Campus/Hybrid College of Arts & Sciences
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The fast-paced world of the molecular and cellular sciences is greatly advancing our understanding of complex processes at all levels of biological organization ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem levels, as well as using cutting-edge techniques to address real-world problems in biomedical, industrial, and ecological settings. At Sacred Heart University, Molecular & Cellular Biology majors will make meaningful contributions to these fields through their participation in research teams of fellow undergraduates and biology faculty.

Why Earn Your BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology at Sacred Heart?

The Molecular & Cellular Biology major is interdisciplinary, combining a rigorous grounding in the foundational principles of biological science at all scales of organization from molecules to ecosystems with significant coursework in cellular and molecular biology. Through Sacred Heart's program, you’ll gain extensive research experience in elective labs and through supervised research with biology faculty or internships with local companies making use of molecular and cellular methods in their business (e.g., pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, breweries, hospitals).

Students are encouraged to broaden their perspectives by spending a semester on the SHU campus in Dingle, Ireland. 

Dual Degree Program Options for Molecular & Cellular Biology Majors

Sacred Heart University’s dual degree programs provide a defined pathway for incoming freshmen to move seamlessly from an undergraduate to a graduate degree.

While some of our dual degree programs require specific undergraduate majors, others are open to almost all undergraduate disciplines. Apply to a dual degree program as an incoming freshman and you’ll have the opportunity to be admitted directly into the graduate program of your choice at the same time as your admission as an undergraduate student. Students are encouraged to reach out to your admissions counselor to discuss dual degree options.

Choose from the following areas of exploration

As a Molecular & Cellular Biology major at Sacred Heart, you can also:

  • Benefit from small class sizes that are interactive and engaging in the classroom, laboratory or the field.
  • Learn from accomplished faculty who are practitioners in their field.
  • Gain foundational knowledge in molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics and biochemistry.
  • Participate in laboratory studies involving nucleic acid or protein extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, fluorescent imaging of cells and tissues, nucleic acid sequencing, bioinformatics, cell culture, and more.
  • Participate in paid summer research programs through faculty grants and SHU’s College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Initiative.
  • Have opportunities to take short, two-week courses in Dingle, Ireland.
  • Learn computer science and software skills in data management, statistical analyses, bioinformatics, SPSS, graphing techniques, Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
  • Participate in various clubs and organizations, such as the Biology Club, Green SHUs, Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society and the American Medical Student Association.

Gain real-world experience with research or an internship in the field

Sacred Heart Molecular & Cellular Biology majors are required to complete undergraduate research or an internship.

Graduate ready for a career or further your study

The Molecular and Cellular Biology major will prepare you for employment in companies and institutions that use molecular and cellular methods in their business (e.g., pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, breweries, hospitals, conservation organizations), or for graduate or professional training in the biomedical sciences, environmental genomics, or bioinformatics.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a six percent growth in the field of medical science (biomedical sciences) by 2029. The ongoing need to treat and/or cure infectious, inherited, and acquired diseases of humans and animals through cutting-edge technologies like gene editing, next-generation sequencing, single cell techniques, and the development of new pharmacological approaches will continue to drive hiring in this area. (source)

As a student at SHU I was always fascinated with detail. Detail in relation to art, conversation, human body, belief system of the university as well as sciences. The greatest depth and fascination of detail came however from my major in Molecular and Cellular Biology. I found what truly fouls most if not all processes – it’s not only biology, it’s so much more. The courses all lined up to create a whole, they pushed me and challenged me shaping a stronger individual. As a student on the pre-med track I was able to grow with my major. The extent of information given and the space created for questions were two key elements which from the beginning grabbed my attention and kept me engaged. Shortly after finishing my first term of medical school I can say with confidence that I’m thankful for the Molecular and Cellular Biology major at SHU.

I graduated from SHU in 2012 and started graduate school the same year, completing my Ph.D. in 2018. I now work for a medical communications agency that specializes in peer-to-peer marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. The advanced courses I took as a biology major at Sacred Heart and the independent research I performed effectively prepared me for my graduate research studies and a career in the industry. I was fortunate to gain experience with a suite of molecular techniques that most undergraduates do not have the opportunity to learn. More importantly, though, I learned to take initiative, think critically, and practice good science. In my research and in many of my classes, I was forced to solve my own problems and make my own decisions. This helped me develop a sense of ownership over my work. Lastly, as a [research] student, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to carry out long-term research projects. I am grateful to have gotten a “small-school experience,” with a lot of direct communication and mentorship from a faculty of dedicated, approachable mentors, and to have been so well-prepared to continue my academic career at a large research institution.

Where Can You Go with a Bachelor's in Molecular & Cellular Biology

Majoring in molecular & cellular biology paves the way for you to advance your career through combined programs and advanced degree pathways.

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