About

Cellular/molecular biology focuses on the cellular and molecular level, the workings of molecules toward the biology of cells and the working of cells that make up an organism.  It is best applied to genetic, cell and physiological-based research, pharmaceutical research or bio-technology research. Appalachian’s Biology (BS) - Cellular/Molecular Biology degree is designed to prepare students for successful admission into professional schools or to continue their studies in graduate and health-care programs. Many students choose this concentration as a pre-medical, pre-veterinary or pre-dental school curriculum.

Students may apply to the biology honors program which includes two research courses and an honors thesis. Students often join faculty as research assistants. Recently, faculty research topics have included pre-term birth, cholera and cancer. Students do not compete with graduate students for research positions, giving Appalachian undergraduate students an advantage when applying for research opportunities.

All biology students may apply to the biology honors program which includes two research courses and an honors thesis.

After Graduation

Graduate schools: Most students continue on to professional schools. Students have attended Dartmouth College, University of Michigan, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Employment: After completing their graduate educations, students have gone on to work with NCBioTech and as technicians in research laboratories.

Career Exploration website

People

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  Student Profile: Melissa Rowe

  As a biology major with a minor in chemistry, Rowe is working in the lab of Dr. Maryam Ahmed and Dr. Darren Seals to research a virus that has potential to be used as an immune therapy for various cancers.

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Cortney Bouldin

  “In my mind, (teaching and research) are intertwined. To be an effective researcher, one must be able to teach audiences about scientific findings, and to be an effective teacher, one must be able to think broadly about important questions in a particular field.”

  – Dr. Cortney Bouldin, assistant professor who specializes in molecular embryology

  Meet more faculty

Related Programs

• Biology (BA)
• Biology (BS) - Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
• Biology (BS) - Secondary Education

Minors

A minor is optional. However, many students graduate with a minor in Chemistry because their concentration curriculum requires close to enough chemistry classes to complete a minor.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society - TriBeta was established to recognize academic achievement and promote research in the biological sciences. Membership is by invitation.

Highlands Biology Club - a student club that works to advance knowledge, inspire the community, as well as open doors of opportunity for members through events involving Biology while having fun.

Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors - a day held at Appalachian where students showcase their research projects and present their results in either a performance, platform talk or poster.

Department Seminars - hosted by the Department of Biology for all biology students every Wednesday. Seminar topics range from research to animal biology and ecology to bioengineering. See the department calendar.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Department of Biology faculty members have led short-term study abroad programs to Zambia, South Africa, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.