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About the BS in Molecular Biology Degree

Why Study Molecular Biology at Cedarville?

Do you have a passion to worship your Creator through studying and applying the sciences? Cedarville's distinctly Christian molecular biology major will prepare you to work in the biotechnology field or pursue graduate studies in medicine, molecular biology, genetics, and related fields in the biological sciences.

Cedarville is one of only a few conservative Christian schools that offers a major in this rapidly growing field. You'll study biology from a biblical worldview, ensuring that when you graduate, you'll be prepared to glorify God through your work, wherever He leads you.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

Molecular Biology Program Highlights

Excellent Preparation – You will join a group of students who average at or above the 95th percentile for the Educational Testing Service’s (ETS) Major Field Test in biology. You will graduate with a broad background in the biological sciences, including how to use scientific methods to investigate problems and communicate solutions.

Biblical – Your molecular biology coursework will be balanced with a liberal arts curriculum and Cedarville’s Bible minor. Your professors will be committed to biblical integration in their field.

Research Experience – You will graduate with cutting-edge research experience in your field, including the opportunity to participate in a research poster or presentation.

State-of-the-Art Equipment – You will have access to excellent lab facilities, including a dedicated tissue culture workroom and a cutting-edge human anatomy and physiology laboratory. You’ll learn molecular techniques commonly used in research laboratories today, such as fluorescence microscopy, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and many others. Our strong laboratory emphasis ensures that you will be able to enter the workforce, or your graduate studies, with confidence.

My 1000 Days: Angela Aad

Molecular biology major Angela Aad '23 shares what has made her 1000 Days at Cedarville so special.

What Can You Do With a Molecular Biology Degree?

A BS degree in molecular biology is excellent preparation for a number of occupations, including, professional schools in the healthcare field, research and biotechnology, graduate school in the biological sciences, medical laboratory work, and more.

We have recent graduates working as an orthopedic surgeon, pediatric infectious disease physician, and physician assistant (to name a few), as well as several PhD candidates at respected graduate schools.

Graduate and professional programs and employers welcome Cedarville University graduates each year. It is important to note that some professional career fields you may pursue require additional education, experience, and/or licensure beyond the completion of your Cedarville University undergraduate degree.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Internships — Your faculty advisor will work with you to find summer internships in academic and industrial laboratories across the nation. You may also earn money and fulfill your research requirement through a six–10-week summer research internship. Our students have interned at a broad spectrum of institutions, including:

  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
  • Eli Lilly
  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute
  • Oncoveda Cancer Research Institute
  • University of Cincinnati

AuSable Institute — Cedarville University partners with the AuSable Institute to offer a variety of summer study opportunities.

Student Organizations — Student organizations allow you to meet with like-minded fellow students and professionals.

  • Chi Theta Pi is a student-run organization designed for networking among Cedarville students studying premed, predental, and preoptometry.
  • Great and Small is for students who are interested in veterinary medicine. This student-run organization helps students prepare for training in the veterinary field.
  • Biology Club is for students interested in any aspect of biology. This student-run organization emphasizes networking and community service.

Global Outreach — Our students partner with the Global Outreach office to participate in medical or dental missions trips, as well as a large number of outreach opportunities that are not medically related.

Program Options and Research

Student presents her research to a judge

Cutting-edge Research

A key component of our program is the cutting-edge research you will be exposed to. Working closely with your professors, you will complete research and then present it at Cedarville’s Research and Scholarship Symposium each spring. You will also have opportunities to present your research at national or international conferences, and co-author articles in scientific publications with your professors.

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Biology and Life Science Program Options

If you’re interested in studying biology and life sciences at Cedarville, but you’re not sure which major is right for you, we’ve created a helpful resource that compares our four options to aid you in making a final decision.

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Biology

Pathway to Medical School

Training for a medical profession at Cedarville University involves intentional preparation academically, personally, and spiritually. Preparation for medical school at Cedarville equips students to be competent as well as service-focused in the name of the Great Physician. Cedarville University has a strong history of preparing students for medical school.

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Program Curriculum

Building on your core liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will take core biology courses. These will prepare you for your upper-division elective courses, which allow you to specialize in the direction that best fits your intended career path.

This major offers an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway for students interested in pursuing their MBA.

Sample courses:

  • Advanced Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology of the Cell

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Undergraduate
  • Residential
  • 4-Year
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From Our Students:

  • I was pleased to see how much overlap there was between the molecular biology curriculum and the first semester content of medical school curriculum. I cannot imagine learning some of these things for the first time in medical school!
    Joseph Vroegop, Medical Student, Class of 2019
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  • Being a molecular major has helped in several aspects of dental school, but the most apparent so far is just being able to understand the language of signaling pathways in my biochemistry class. The material we learned in cell biology and advanced cell has laid a foundation for me to have a deeper understanding of the sciences you learn your first two years of school.
    Bryce Childers, Dental Student, Class of 2019
  • Because of the molecular biology major, I went into PA school with a better understanding of the cellular pathways and genetic processes underlying disease pathology and drug mechanisms. Medicine is moving toward treating diseases at the molecular level, so molecular biology was a fantastic base to prepare for my medical training.
    Elise Newcomer, PA-C, class of 2014
Job and Grad School Placement

Program Faculty

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Kaleb Pauley, PhD

Director, Biological Science Programs, Professor of Biology

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Heather Kuruvilla, PhD

Senior Professor of Biology

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School of Science and Mathematics

Program News