Skip to main content
Molecular Life Sciences Program

Bachelor of Science in Molecular Life Sciences

Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements MLSBS

The B.S. in Molecular Life Sciences (MLS) is designed for students interested in pursuing a life sciences degree curriculum that is highly focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Advanced courses will provide an emphasis on how alterations in cellular processes may lead to disease states. It is ideal for students planning to continue their education beyond a bachelor's degree either in the pursuit of an advanced M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the life sciences or professional degrees in medicine, veterinary sciences or dentistry. Students with a B.S. in MLS will have also have the background necessary to pursue careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Requirements

The major requires at least 33 credit hours (62 with the Addenda requirements, including the requirements listed below.), including the requirements listed below.
  1. Biological Chemistry. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry
    • CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
  2. Biology Requirements.
    1. Foundations of Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
      • BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
      • BIOL-H 111 Integrated Freshman Learning Experience I
    2. Molecular Biology Lecture. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
      • BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
    3. Molecular Biology Laboratory. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
      • BIOL-L 324 Human Molecular Biology Laboratory
      • BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
      • BIOL-X 325 ASURE Biology Research Lab 2 (approved topic: "Genome Engineering")
      • BIOT-T 315 Biotechnology Laboratory
      • BIOT-X 325 ASURE Biotechnology Research Lab 2
      • Both of the following:
        • CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
        • CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
      • CHEM-X 325 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
    4. Cell Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
  3. MLS Core.
    1. Genome Duplication and Maintenance. One (1) course:
      • MLS-M 420 Genome Duplication and Maintenance
    2. Advanced Gene Regulation. One (1) course:
      • MLS-M 430 Advanced Gene Regulation: Transcription, Epigenetics, and Human Disease
  4. Concentration. One (1) of the Molecular Life Sciences concentrations listed below.
  5. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Mathematics. One (1) course:
      • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
      • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
      • MATH-M 120 Brief Survey of Calculus II
      • MATH-S 211 Honors Calculus I
      • MATH-S 212 Honors Calculus II
    2. Statistics. One (1) course:
      • ANTH-A 306 Anthropological Statistics
      • ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics
      • ECON-S 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics: Honors
      • POLS-Y 395 Quantitative Political Analysis
      • PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
      • PSY-K 310 Statistical Techniques
      • SOC-S 371 Statistics in Sociology
      • STAT-K 310 Statistical Techniques
      • STAT-S 300 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
      • STAT-S 301 Applied Statistical Methods for Business
      • STAT-S 303 Applied Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences
    3. Physics.
      1. Physics I. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-P 201 General Physics I
        • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
        • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
      2. Physics II. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-P 202 General Physics II
        • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
        • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
    4. Chemistry.
      1. Principles of Chemistry Lecture. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
        • CHEM-H 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors
        • CHEM-J 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors
      2. Principles of Chemistry Laboratory. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory
        • CHEM-H 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory, Honors
        • CHEM-X 150 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab I
      3. Organic Chemistry I Lecture. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures
        • CHEM-J 341 Principles of Organic Chemistry I when taken Summer 2024 or later
        • CHEM-S 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures, Honors
      4. Organic Chemistry II Lecture. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures
        • CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II when taken Summer 2024 or later
        • CHEM-S 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors
      5. Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
        • CHEM-J 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors
        • CHEM-X 325 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
  6. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major 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 major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.

Major Area Courses

Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

  • Any course at the 100–499 level with the MLS prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
  • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
  • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
  • Any course, consistent with the policies herein, that is part of a concentration, track, and/or specialization being pursued as part of this academic program

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Minor in Molecular Life Sciences (MLSMIN)

Exceptions to and substitutions for major 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.