Overview

In keeping with the culture of liberal education at Wesleyan University, the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry program of Wesleyan University is designed to accommodate a broad range of academic interests and allow students to concentrate in particular disciplines such as molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, cell biology, genetics, epigenetics, genomics, and computational modeling. 

The interdisciplinary nature and flexibility of the MB&B major also enables students to couple their affinity for biological sciences with other majors, including chemistry, mathematics and computer science, science in society, psychology, government, economics, etc. MB&B provides foundational training for a range of professional careers in medicine, public health, pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, public policy, science journalism, and teaching, among others. We welcome students of all interests and backgrounds to join us.

Student Learning Goals

• Acquire mastery of core foundational knowledge of molecular biology and biochemistry

• Acquire selective familiarity with our primary literature and bioinformatic databases

• Achieve familiarity with major questions at the forefront of our field

• Acquire mastery of analytical, quantitative, and creative approaches to analyze problems in our field and to synthesize them in order to create logical hypotheses and experimental plans

• Acquire ability to use multidisciplinary approaches to synthesize a cogent experimental plan

• Acquire mastery of important methodologies in our field

• Acquire mastery of a subset of hands-on methodologies in our field

• Acquire proficiency in oral, written, and visual modes of effective scientific communication

Study Abroad

Like all Wesleyan students, MB&B majors often choose to study abroad for a semester or more.  In the past few years, MB&B majors have visited Australia, Chile, Denmark, South Africa, England, France, Tanzania, and Germany, among other countries.  During their semester abroad, MB&B majors may choose to take courses that satisfy their major or general education requirements, and may also arrange to do research at the host institution.  Decisions about whether courses taken abroad can count for credit towards the MB&B major are made the department on a case-by-case basis.  Students must have the appropriate “course approval” form signed before departure by the Chair of the MB&B department, and be sure to inform the Chair if they make changes to their schedule on arrival at their host institution.