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Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, BS

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  3. Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, BS

At a Glance: program details
  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Additional Program Fee: Yes
  • Second Language Requirement: No
  • Math Intensity: Moderate
  • Initial Math Course: MAT 251 - Calculus for Life Sciences
Required Courses (Major Map)

Major Map

Major Map on-campus archive

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Are you fascinated by the interplay between biology and technology? Are you eager to make a difference through groundbreaking research? Dive in and explore the rapidly expanding field of biotechnology.

Program Description

In the Bachelor of Science program in molecular biosciences and biotechnology, students discover advanced disciplines in life sciences research and explore the exciting and rapidly growing field of biotechnology.

They examine the interface between molecular biology and biotechnology that drives major advancements in knowledge and applied research and development.

To complement their coursework, students gain hands-on research and business experience through a capstone course with distinguished faculty. Students also have access to a dedicated mentoring program, giving them the opportunity to engage in independent and collaborative research projects and receive feedback and advice on career choices, internships and more.

This program is available as an accelerated degree program.

In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

A new approach to teaching biology

As a biology student at Arizona State University, you are part of a new movement to reinvent science learning, designed to prioritize your needs and empower you to not only succeed but be transformed into a future leader and problem solver.

ASU’s adaptive and flexible teaching model levels the playing field for all learners, allowing anyone to understand complex concepts and gain the confidence to take on scientific challenges in a growing field. 

Here, you will apply biological models through immersive exploration and hands-on discovery. Explore a 24,000-square-foot Natural History Collection, the only insectary of its kind in Arizona and several research opportunities for online students, which set our programs apart from other institutions across the globe. Together, we’ll learn how to visualize and build a better world.

Major core

Note: Once you start a General BIO sequence, you must complete the full sequence (BIO 181 & 182 OR BIO 281 & 282)

  • BIO 181 General Biology I (4) or BIO 281 Conceptual Approaches to Biology for Majors I (4)
  • BIO 182 General Biology II (4) or BIO 282 Conceptual Approaches to Biology for Majors II (4)
  • MBB 347 Molecular Genetics: From Genes to Proteins (4)
  • BIO/MBB 343 Genetic Engineering and Society (4)
  • MIC 220 Biology of Microorganisms (3) & MIC 206 Microbiology Lab (1)
  • MBB 484 Internship and/or MBB 495 Undergraduate Research (6)
  • MBB 490 Capstone: Issues in Biotechnology (2)
  • MBB 491 Capstone: Issues in Molecular Biosciences (2)

Major core electives (complete at least 7 credit hours)

  • BIO 308 Plant Physiology (4)
  • BIO/MIC 420 Immunology: Molecular and Cellular Foundations (3) & MIC 421 Experimental Immunology (2)
  • BIO 451 Cell Biotechnology Lab (4)MBB 350 Applied Genetics (4)
  • MBB/BIO 440 Functional Genomics (3)
  • MBB/MIC 445 Techniques in Molecular Biology (3) & MBB/MIC 446 Techniques in Molecular Biology Laboratory (2)
  • MIC 441 Bacterial Genetics (3) & MIC 442 Bacterial Genetics Laboratory (1)

Please see an advisor if any of the above courses are not offered in the term you wish to take them

Requirements in related fields

General chemistry
  • CHM 113 General Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 116 General Chemistry II (4)
Organic chemistry (take general or pre-health sequence)
  • CHM 231 Elementary Organic Chemistry  (3)
  • CHM 235 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory  (1)
OR pre-health sequence
  • CHM 233 General Organic Chemistry I (3)
  • CHM 234 General Organic Chemistry II (3)
  • CHM 237 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
  • CHM 238 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
Biochemistry (take one of the two sequences)
  • BCH 361 Principles of Biochemistry (3)
  • BCH 367 Elementary Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
OR
  • BCH 461 General Biochemistry (3)
  • BCH 462 General Biochemistry (3)
  • BCH 467 Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (3)
Physics (take general or pre-health sequence)
  • PHY 101 Introduction to Physics (4)
OR pre-health sequence
  • PHY 111 General Physics I (3)
  • PHY 112 General Physics II (3)
  • PHY 113 General Physics Laboratory I (1)
  • PHY 114 General Physics Laboratory II (1)
Math (complete one of the following)
  • MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences (3)
  • MAT 210 Brief Calculus (3)
Statistics (complete one of the following)
  • STP 231 Statistics for Biosciences (3) 
  • STP 226 Elementary Statistics (3)

For more information on requirements and recommendations specific to this degree please see our Did you know for on-campus degrees page.




Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman Transfer International Readmission


Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.


Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.


Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

Biology

Biology
Deepen your knowledge of the life sciences and build strong conceptual foundations in frontier areas of modern biology.

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE

Microbiology

Microbiology
When you become an expert in microbes, you'll be able to contribute to the greater good. Learn how microbes impact human health and the environment, and receive theoretical and practical training in your chosen area of interest.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Computational Life Sciences

Computational Life Sciences
Join in the transformation that new types and amounts of data are bringing to the life sciences. You can learn computational methods that complement traditional bench-based approaches, allowing you to arrive at novel insights, and you'll gain the knowledge and skills you'll need when applying computational techniques in life sciences research.

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE

Global Management

Global Management
Gain hands-on experience and learn from the diverse perspectives of a global cohort of classmates. This program offers applied learning opportunities, 16 concentration options and practical internships in global settings.

Website | Locations: DTPHX

Biochemistry (Medicinal Biochemistry)

Biochemistry (Medicinal Biochemistry)
Learn to solve medicinal problems with molecular tools. Become successful in an increasingly postdisciplinary scientific world with this program's distinct emphasis on structure, properties and synthesis from the molecular perspective in a biological context. You'll be able to tackle complex challenges in and out of the lab.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Molecular and Cellular Biology
Do you want to understand the fundamental molecular events at the core of all life? You'll gain skills in contemporary techniques and have the opportunity to tailor the program around your research and career interests.

Website | Locations: TEMPE


Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.

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Career Outlook

Graduates of the BS program in molecular biosciences and biotechnology have a solid base of knowledge and practical expertise that enable them to pursue advanced research and graduate study in biological sciences, medicine, sustainability and technology.

With critical thinking, hands-on research and business entrepreneurship skills gained through this program, graduates are prepared for direct entry into a wide variety of careers in a dynamic and expanding field. Graduates pursue positions in agriculture (green biotechnology, leading to improved crops or production of vaccines in plants); health care (red biotechnology, leading to better therapeutics, diagnostics and personalized medicine); and industry (white biotechnology, leading to sustainable production of energy, enzymes and chemicals).

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:

Bioinformatics Scientists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Bioinformatics Technicians

  • Growth: 6.2%
  • Median Salary*: 71700
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Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

  • Growth: 8.6%
  • Median Salary*: 81650
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Clinical Research Coordinators

  • Growth: 4.8%
  • Median Salary*: 144440
  Sun Icon

Geneticists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Natural Sciences Managers

  • Growth: 4.8%
  • Median Salary*: 144440
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Water Resource Specialists

  • Growth: 4.8%
  • Median Salary*: 144440
  Sun Icon

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

  • Growth: 9.8%
  • Median Salary*: 99930
  Sun Icon

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Nanosystems Engineers

  • Growth: 3.3%
  • Median Salary*: 104600

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Sun IconBright Outlook | Leaf Icon Green Occupation


Global Opportunities

Global Experience

Students gain valuable, resume-enhancing experience when studying abroad. Students majoring in molecular biosciences and biotechnology can expand their knowledge of how science impacts society in a variety of cultures and how technology and culture intertwine across the globe.

With more than 300 programs available, studying abroad enables students to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in molecular biosciences and biotechnology.



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • [email protected]
  • 480/727-6277


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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