The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biomolecular Sciences offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying biological processes, integrated with organismal physiology. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory instruction and independent research. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and academic or clinical research. The degree also provides a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing further education in professional medical programs (e.g., medicine, physician assistant, pharmacy, dentistry, or veterinary school) or advanced degrees (MS or PhD) in molecular biology, cell biology, and related fields
Outcomes
1. Biomolecular Sciences majors will be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge in Biomolecular science, including an understanding of:
- The relationship between the properties of macromolecules and cellular activities
- The relationship between cellular activities and biological responses
- Cell metabolism, chemical composition, physiochemical and functional organization of organelles
- Gene replication, expression, regulation and mutation
- Cell signaling, trafficking and differentiation
- Contemporary approaches and techniques used in modern cell and molecular biology-
2. Biomolecular Sciences majors will be able to evaluate, summarize and critique papers from the scientific literature.
3. Biomolecular Sciences majors will be able to develop a research question and discuss and evaluate approaches to address that question.
4. Biomolecular Sciences majors will be able to design and conduct a research project under the guidance of a faculty member, including data collection, evaluation, and presentation in an oral or written format.
Biomolecular Sciences (BMS) Major Requirements
- The Biomolecular Science (BMS) BS degree begins with the Biomolecular Sciences Core courses.
- Students then choose one of three pathways:
- BMS General Program: Offers the greatest flexibility in course selection.
- BMS for Medical Careers Specialization: Includes essential prerequisites for students intending to apply to post-graduate programs in medicine (including physicians and physician assistants), dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and nursing through accelerated programs.
- BMS for Research Specialization: Emphasizes hands-on research experience, preparing students for careers in biomedical research and for further studies at the master’s and doctoral levels.
- In addition to the core courses and specializations, all students must complete a set of Related Requirements in Math, Chemistry, and Physics.
Biomolecular Sciences Core Requirements (10 credits)
These courses are taken by all students in the Biomolecular Sciences Program (General Program, BMS for Medical Careers, BMS for Research) and serve as prerequisites for the upper-level courses.
| BMS 102 | Intro to Biomolecular Sciences | 3 |
| BMS 103 | Intro to Biomolecular Sci Lab | 1 |
| BMS 190 | Friday Seminar in Biomolecular Sciences I | .5 |
| BMS 290 | Friday Seminar in Biomolecular Sciences II | .5 |
| BMS 201 | Prin Cell/Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BMS 390 | Independent Research in Biomolecular Science | 1 |
1. BMS General Program (25 credits)
Students in the BMS General Program complete the Biomolecular Sciences Core Requirements, General Program Directed Electives, General Program Electives, and BMS Related Requirements.
BMS General Program Directed Electives
General Program students will select courses totaling 12 credits from the following list:
BMS General Program Electives
Students in the BMS General Program will take 13 credits of elective courses in Biomolecular Sciences. All BMS courses at the 300 level or above may be elective courses. Chem 354 may also count towards the elective category if Chem 212 is used in the Related Requirements category. BMS 380: 3 credits only of this 6-credit course count towards BMS electives.
2. BMS for Medical Careers Specialization
The BMS for Medical Careers Specialization provides students with the courses required to apply for programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, accelerated nursing, and other health careers. Students in the BMS for Medical Careers Specialization complete the Biomolecular Sciences Core Requirements, BMS for Medical Careers Requirements, and the BMS Related Requirements.
BMS for Medical Careers Requirements (24-28 credits)
Students will take courses in each of the following categories: Genetics/Genomics, Microbiology, Cell/Developmental Biology, Physiology, Statistics/Physics, and elective.
Students will select courses from each category in consultation with their advisor.
Genetics/Genomics
Microbiology
Cell/Developmental Biology
Physiology
Many health career graduate programs require two courses in Anatomy and Physiology. Others prefer a single semester of Human Physiology. Consult with your BMS advisor when selecting physiology courses.
Statistics or Physics
Students should select an additional physics course or a statistics course in consultation with their BMS advisor. Your course selection will depend the type of medical program you plan to pursue.
BMS for Medical Careers Elective
All BMS courses at the 300 level or above may be elective courses. Chem 354 may also count towards the elective category if Chem 212/213 is used in the Related Requirements category. BMS 380: 3 credits only of this 6-credit course count towards BMS electives.
3. BMS for Research Specialization
The BMS for Research Specialization provides students with extensive hands-on laboratory research experience. Students in the BMS for Research Specialization complete the Biomolecular Sciences Core Requirements, the BMS for Research Requirements, the BMS for Research Directed Electives, and the BMS Related Requirements.
BMS for Research Requirements (25 credits)
BMS for Research Directed Electives
BMS for Research students will select courses totaling 12 credits from the following list:
Advanced Independent Research
| BMS 491 | Advanced Independent Research in Biomolecular Science | 1-3 |
Laboratory Skills
Students select courses totaling 4 credits from the following list:
| BMS 421 | Experimental Developmental Biology | 2 |
| BMS 340 | Biomolecular Techniques | 2 |
| BMS 417 | Experimental Microbiology | 2 |
| BMS 420 | Cell Biological Techniques | 2 |
BMS for Research Electives
Students in the BMS for Research Specialization will take 8 credits of elective courses. Additional courses from the directed electives list may be used as electives once the 12-credit Directed Elective Requirement is fulfilled. Additional credits of Advanced Independent Research (BMS 491) may be used as Electives.
| BMS 411 | Molecular and Cellular Immunology | 3 |
| BMS 430 | Virology | 3 |
| BMS 450 | Epigenetics of Clinical and Model Systems | 3 |
| BMS 460/BMS 560 | Pharmacogenetics | 3 |
| BMS 490 | Topics in Biomolecular Sciences | 1 to 4 |
| BMS 492 | Mentorship in Biomolecular Science | 1 |
| BMS 495 | Capstone in Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BMS 496 | Capstone in Cellular Metabolism and Energetics | 3 |
| BMS 499 | Undergraduate Thesis in Biomolecular Sciences | 1 |
| CHEM 354 | Foundations of Biochemistry | 3 |
| BMS 418 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| BMS 462 | Topics in Developmental Biology | 3 |
Biochemistry (CHEM 354) can be used as an elective if a student takes Organic II (CHEM 212) to satisfy their Related Requirement
Related Requirements
All Biomolecular Sciences students (BMS General Program, BMS for Medical Careers, BMS for Research) are required to complete the following courses in Math, Chemistry, and Physics.
Students should consult with their BMS advisor if they are considering applying to graduate programs in the health sciences. Some programs may require additional semesters of physics (PHYS 122 or PHYS12) and/or chemistry (CHEM 212/213 AND CHEM 354).
Accelerate Central BS MS Biomolecular Sciences
Eligibility
Eligible students can apply for admission to the Accelerate Central B.S. / M.S. Program in Biomolecular Sciences during their junior year of study. Full time students may be able to complete a B.S. and M.S. in Biomolecular Sciences in as few as five years on a full-time basis. For accepted students, up to 8 credits of graduate courses will replace up to 8 credits in the B.S. Biomolecular Sciences Program. In addition, up to 8 credits of graduate courses may be taken before matriculation as a graduate student; these 8 credits will be excluded from the student’s B.S. program and transferred into the student’s M.S. program.
Students typically apply during their junior year of study and must meet the requirements specified below:
· have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average, either overall or in the most recent 60 credits.
· have completed 60 earned credit hours by the end of the Fall semester of their junior year. At least 12 credits must have been earned at CCSU.
· Have completed BMS 201 and two other upper level BMS courses at CCSU with grades of C or higher.
Students who are accepted into Accelerate Central B.S. / M.S. Program in Biomolecular Sciences will officially matriculate into the School of Graduate Studies the semester immediately following conferral of their Bachelor’s degree, even if they have already taken graduate-level courses while completing their Bachelor’s degree. Students wishing to defer their graduate studies must notify Graduate Admissions of this decision prior to the start of the term following the conferral of their bachelor’s degree.
How to Apply
Students will submit Change of Major form and a narrative statement (about 500 words) describing their academic and career goals, and their reasons for entering this graduate program to their undergraduate advisor. The documents will go through the proper parties for review and approval, including the Graduate Program Director. Once the form has been approved by all required parties, the Registrar’s Office will change the student’s undergraduate curriculum to note the Accelerate Central program.