University of Michigan - Flint

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Joseph Sucic, Dr. Jerry Sanders and Dr. Ann Sturtevant

The development of recombinant DNA technology, sometimes referred to us as genetic engineering, has radically altered the biomedical sciences. Recombinant DNA techniques have triggered the exponential growth of a new biological field—molecular genetics, or, more generally, molecular biology—which only two decades ago was in its infancy. Fundamental biological problems, untenable only a decade or two ago, are now being addressed using new molecular genetic methods. Recombinant DNA techniques are also revolutionizing disease diagnosis, as the genetic basis for diseases like cancer, muscular dystrophy, and Alzheimer’s are being discovered; indeed, almost nightly you can see a story on the news or in the paper that describes a new discovery, facilitated by recombinant DNA methods, relating to these and other diseases. Applications of recombinant DNA methods, collectively called biotechnology, are yielding new approaches to disease treatment, drug development, forensics, and even the study of evolution.

The Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology provides students with a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for a career in this exciting and expanding area of biology. Students in this program will be exposed to state of the art molecular techniques, and students completing this program will be highly qualified to 1) seek employment at academic, industrial, or government laboratories engaged in molecular biology endeavors, or 2) pursue graduate studies in molecular biology and related fields such as microbiology, immunology, or cell biology.

Area Options. An area option in Analytical Reasoning is automatically satisfied by required courses. Students may choose the second area option according to their interests.

1. The general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
2. At least 40 credit hours in Biology including BIO 111, 113, 326, 327, 328, 425, 435, 462, 467.
3. Non-biological natural sciences. MTH 120, PHY 143, 145, CHM 160, 161, 162, 163, 330, 331, 332, 333, 450.
4. Electives to complete a minimum of 124 credits.
5. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.
6. Grades of C- or better in all core courses used as prerequisites.