Department of Biology
Concentration in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (Bachelor of Science in Biology)
Students on Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 requirements CLBIMGNCON
Requirements
The concentration requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Cell Biology. One (1) course:
- BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Current views of the structure and function of cellular organelles and components, with emphasis on the flow of information through the cell, the metabolism that supports cellular functions, and differences among different specialized cells. Current techniques will be stressed.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 312 or BIOL-L 330.
- Biochemistry. One (1) course:
- BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules
- CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry
- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
- CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 341
- Description
- Survey of the structure, function, and regulation of biomolecules as related to the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. Some focus on problem solving and applications for product development.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-T 440 or BIOT-T 440.
CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 341, CHEM-J 341, CHEM-S 341, or CHEM-R 340 with a grade of C- or higher
- Description
- Introduction to macromolecular structure, central metabolism, and chemical basis of biological information flow.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 383, CHEM-C 483, or CHEM-C 484.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 342, CHEM-J 342, CHEM-S 342 or CHEM-R 340
- Description
- Introduction to structure, chemical properties, and interrelationships of biological substances.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 383, CHEM-C 483, or CHEM-C 484.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 342, CHEM-J 342, or CHEM-S 342
- Description
- Structure and function of cellular components and the generation of phosphate-bond energy.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 383, CHEM-C 483, or CHEM-C 484.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Advanced Skills Lecture. One (1) course:
- BIOL-B 371 Ecological Plant Physiology
- BIOL-L 410 Topical Issues in Biology topics approved by Director of Undergraduate Studies
- BIOL-L 411 Advanced Gene Regulation: Transcription, Epigenetics, and Human Disease
- BIOL-L 412 Analysis of Cancer Research
- BIOL-L 413 Translational Medicine: From Bench to Bedside
- BIOL-L 417
- BIOL-L 485 Genetics, Models of Human Disease, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research
- BIOL-L 486 Advanced Cell Biology
- BIOL-L 487 Molecular Mechanism of Development and Disease
- BIOL-M 416 Biology of AIDS
- BIOL-Z 462 Genetics of Behavior
- BIOL-Z 466 Endocrinology
BIOL-B 371 Ecological Plant Physiology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- College chemistry; and BIOL-L 111; and BIOL-H 111 or BIOL-L 112
- Description
- The interrelationships among plant function and temperature, water supply, nutrient level, light quality, light quantity, gases, and other organisms.
BIOL-L 410 Topical Issues in Biology
- Credits
- 2–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 111; BIOL-L 113; and BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Topics not related extensively in other courses. The topic will vary depending on the instructor and on student needs.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
BIOL-L 411 Advanced Gene Regulation: Transcription, Epigenetics, and Human Disease
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Examines recent scientific publications in gene regulation within a variety of organisms including yeast, Drosophila, mice, and humans. Students learn about new and emerging technologies being used to measure gene expression. Students also learn about human congenital disorders and diseases caused by dysregulation of transcriptional and epigenetic control systems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 411 or MLS-M 430.
BIOL-L 412 Analysis of Cancer Research
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Analysis, inquiry, discussion, and critique of literature concerning cancer clinical trials, targeted cancer therapies, and diagnostic cancer tests. Critical thinking about cancer clinical trials, including their designs, claims and evidence, strengths and weaknesses, ethical problems, and implications.
BIOL-L 413 Translational Medicine: From Bench to Bedside
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Examines human diseases and recent drug approvals. Explores how basic science leads to development of new therapies. Presents important cell biological principles linked to diseases, methods of contemporary biological research, and the logic of experimental design and interpretation through critical analysis and discussion of primary research papers.
BIOL-L 485 Genetics, Models of Human Disease, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311
- Description
- Explores the development of genetic manipulations and techniques (e.g. epistasis to CRISPR/Cas9) to address fundamental questions of life. Students will critically read and discuss primary literature.
BIOL-L 486 Advanced Cell Biology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 312
- Description
- Critical analysis of recent advances in the understanding of molecular organization and function of cellular structures, with emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics include membrane organization, cytoskeleton assembly and functions, signal transduction, cell-cycle regulation, protein sorting, and vesicle trafficking.
BIOL-L 487 Molecular Mechanism of Development and Disease
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 417
- Description
- Evaluation of classical and current molecular and genetic approaches to studying the development of eukaryotic organisms. Reading and discussion of molecular genetic studies of model systems that illuminate the processes underlying human development and, when disrupted, human disease.
BIOL-M 416 Biology of AIDS
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Notes
- R: BIOL-L 312 and BIOL-M 430
- Description
- A detailed examination of the biology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), its causative agent (HIV), the immune response, and available therapies. For senior biology or biochemistry majors or beginning graduate students.
BIOL-Z 462 Genetics of Behavior
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Notes
- P or C: BIOL-L 311
- Description
- Considers whether \"behavior genes\" exist and how such genes would be identified and defined, with a focus on courtship and sex-specific behaviors. Reviews and discusses the literature that demonstrates concrete examples of how single genes can affect such behaviors.
BIOL-Z 466 Endocrinology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 112
- Description
- Mechanisms of hormone action from the molecular to the organismal level in vertebrates.
- Lecture Elective. One (1) course:
- Additional course from the Advanced Skills Lecture list
- BIOL-B 373 Mechanisms of Plant Development
- BIOL-L 321 Human Immunology
- BIOL-L 331 Introduction to Human Genetics
- BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
- BIOL-L 410 Topical Issues in Biology (Approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies required)
- BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
- MSCI-M 480 Molecular Biology of Cancer: Cell Signaling and Fate
BIOL-B 373 Mechanisms of Plant Development
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 111; and BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Lecture and lab explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms controlling plant growth and development from germination to reproduction. Studies structural and functional relationships with an emphasis on how external stimuli like light, gravity, nutrition, and temperature affect gene activities and physiological processes that control growth.
BIOL-L 321 Human Immunology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211; and CHEM-C 101, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117
- Notes
- R: BIOL-L 312
- Description
- Introductory course exploring the basic components and function of the immune system, stressing mechanisms that protect humans against pathogens and also how its dysfunction can lead to autoimmune disease, allergy, and cancer.
BIOL-L 331 Introduction to Human Genetics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311
- Description
- Principles of human genetics are presented. The emphasis is on new developments in the field afforded by present-day techniques in molecular biology. Among the topics considered are sex inheritance, molecular basis of genetic diseases, oncogenesis, and immune system structure.
BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Computer science and informatics applications to biology have yielded "bioinformatics," a field of study that covers a wide spectrum of data management and processing associated with large-scale, high-throughput biological data generation. This course surveys topics in the generation and analysis of biomolecular sequence data (DNA and protein) that underpin much of modern biology: genetics, ecology, evolution, population and structural biology.
BIOL-L 410 Topical Issues in Biology
- Credits
- 2–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 111; BIOL-L 113; and BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Topics not related extensively in other courses. The topic will vary depending on the instructor and on student needs.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Notes
- R: BIOL-L 311 and BIOL-L 312
- Description
- Viruses of plants, animals (including humans), and bacteria; emphasis on molecular biology of viral systems. Viruses and human disease such as cancer and AIDS; viruses and their evolution.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
MSCI-M 480 Molecular Biology of Cancer: Cell Signaling and Fate
- Description
- Introduce basic molecular, cellular and biochemical concepts of cell signaling, the mechanism by which cell fate is regulated and how mutations produce dysregulation of these functions. In addition, we will study how mutation in cell signaling and fate proteins influence physiology in the study of development of tumors, recruitment support from normal cells of the body, modulation of the immune system and metastatic spread. Also, learn how understanding the function of cell signaling and cell fate has been used to develop promising therapeutics used to treat specific cancers.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Required Laboratory. One (1) course:
- BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
- BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory
BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 113; and one of BIOL-L 211, BIOL-S 211, or CHEM-C 342
- Notes
- R: BIOL-L 312, CHEM-C 484
- Description
- Theory and techniques of experimental cell physiology. Enzyme purification using spectrophotometry, ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography, gel electrophoresis. Respiration and photosynthesis analyzed by cell fractionation, oxygen electrode, and radioactive tracer techniques.
BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Notes
- P or C: BIOL-L 311
- Description
- Experiments with plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses demonstrating fundamental genetic mechanisms.
- Elective Laboratory. One (1) course:
- Additional course from the Required Laboratory list
- BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL-L 324 Human Molecular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL-M 435 Viral Tissue Culture Laboratory
- BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors (up to one (1) credit hour may count toward the Concentration Hours requirement)
- BIOL-X 325 ASURE Biology Research Lab 2 (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- BIOL-Z 469 Endocrinology Laboratory
- BIOT-T 315 Biotechnology Laboratory
- BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
- BIOT-X 325 ASURE Biotechnology Research Lab 2
- ANAT-A 464 Human Tissue Biology
BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211
- Description
- Manipulation and analysis of genes and genomes. Gene cloning and library screening. Gene amplification and disease diagnosis. Gene mapping and Southern blot analysis of complex genome structure.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 323 or BIOL-L 324.
BIOL-L 324 Human Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211
- Description
- Covers theory and molecular biology techniques used to study the human genome and human genes. Labs include isolation of DNA from cells and application of current techniques for DNA fingerprinting of macro- and microsatellites, telomere length estimation, SNP and Alu polymorphism analysis, gene expression analysis, DNA sequencing, and computer analysis.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 323 or BIOL-L 324.
BIOL-M 435 Viral Tissue Culture Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- P or C: BIOL-M 430 or consent of instructor
- Description
- Laboratory will emphasize eukarytotic cell tissue culture and common virological assays used in research and clinical lab settings.
BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
- Credits
- 5
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-H 111 or BIOL-L 112; and CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117
- Notes
- R: CHEM-C 341 concurrent
- Description
- Covers structure and function of DNA and RNA; DNA replication, mechanisms of mutation, repair, recombination, and transposition; mechanisms and regulation of gene expression; and the genetic code, transcription, and translation. Introduces bacteriophages, plasmids, and the technology of recombinant DNA. Course will be taught at an honors level.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-S 211 or BIOL-L 211.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
BIOL-X 325 ASURE Biology Research Lab 2
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-X 150
- Description
- Second in a two-lab sequence for students in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program. Students continue guided research in an area related to the ongoing research of a faculty member. The specific topic of the class will vary by section and be determined by the faculty member associated with the section.
BIOL-Z 469 Endocrinology Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Notes
- R: BIOL-L 312 and BIOL-Z 466
- Description
- Survey of various endocrine systems using molecular, cellular, and whole organism methodologies. Emphasis on structure, function, and regulation of endocrine glands and cells, and their roles in maintaining homeostasis within the organism.
BIOT-T 315 Biotechnology Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
- Description
- Students use a problem-based approach to gene cloning; for example, cloning the gene for an industrially important enzyme, alpha-amylase from
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-T 315 or BIOT-T 315.
BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 341; and BIOT-T 315, BIOL-L 313, BIOL-L 319, BIOL-L 323, BIOL-L 324, BIOL-M 315, BIOL-M 360, or BIOL-M 435
- Description
- Develops a working knowledge of a variety of fundamental and advanced protein techniques used in industry, focusing on expression, purification, and characterization. Increases competence in quantitative analysis, data interpretation, problem-solving, scientific writing, and time management.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of BIOL-T 425 or BIOT-T 425.
BIOT-X 325 ASURE Biotechnology Research Lab 2
- Credits
- 3–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- BIOT-X 150
- Description
- Second in a two-lab sequence for students in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program. Students continue guided research in an area related to the ongoing research of a faculty member. The specific topic of the class will vary by section and be determined by the faculty member associated with the section.
ANAT-A 464 Human Tissue Biology
- Description
- Microscopic structure of mammalian (with emphasis on human) tissues and organs.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Biology Concentration Residency.
- Two (2) advanced (300–499 level) lecture courses in the concentration must be taken on the IU Bloomington campus
- Two (2) advanced (300–499 level) lab courses in the concentration must be taken on the IU Bloomington campus
- Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Concentration GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Concentration Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
- Concentration Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
Concentration Area Courses
-
Courses that may apply toward the Credit Hours and GPA requirements in this academic program include all courses listed on the requirement course lists at the time the course was taken as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent.
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Concentration in Integrative and Organismal Biology (Bachelor of Science in Biology) (INORGBICON)
- Concentration in the Biology of Disease (Bachelor of Science in Biology) (BIOLDISCON)
Exceptions to and substitutions for concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.