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Biology (BS) - Cellular/Molecular Biology

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

  • Student Profile: Melissa Rowe
    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.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Cortney Bouldin
    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

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

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.

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Why Appalachian?

  • The cellular/molecular biology concentration can be used as pre-medical, pre-veterinary or pre-dental school curriculum.
  • The department offers a Master of Science in Biology.
  • Students are taught by faculty with diverse research interests and expertise.
  • The Department of Biology has 23 specialized research facilities including the William and Ruth Dewel Microscopy Facility, the Scientific Computing and Visualization Laboratory, the I.W. Carpenter Herbarium, a vivarium, a greenhouse, a campus nature preserve, the Robert Gilley Field Station and the Elicia Caroon Johnston Biological Reserve.
  • Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in graduate-level research projects with department faculty.
  • The Department of Biology offers scholarships.

Research Facilities

Research facilities include:

  • William and Ruth Dewel Microscopy Facility
  • Vivarium (animal facility)
  • I.W. Carpenter Herbarium
  • Department of Biology Greenhouse

Location

On campus

Careers

  • Medical Doctor
  • Dentist
  • Veterinarian
  • Microbiologist
  • Biomedical Research Scientist
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Laboratory Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Salesperson
  • Genetic Counselor
  • Physician Assistant
  • Chiropractor
  • Osteopath
  • Pharmacist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Food scientist
  • Biochemist
  • Bioengineer
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Bioinformatician
  • Immunologist
  • Pathologist
  • Physician Assistant
  • Optometrist
  • Pharmacist
  • Teacher/Educator/Lecturer/Professor
  • Environmental toxicologist
  • Research and Development Scientist

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Biology

Dr. Ava Udvadia
Department Chair
udvadiaaj@appstate.edu
828-262-6511

  • Department of Biology

    The Department of Biology is a community of teacher-scholars, with faculty representing the full breadth of biological specializations – from molecular genetics to landscape/ecosystem ecology. The department seeks to produce graduates with sound scientific knowledge, the skills to create new knowledge, and the excitement and appreciation of scientific discovery.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

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