Molecular Bioscience with Tracks in Biogeochemistry, Biophysics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Genomics, and Neuroscience
All biological sciences rest on two central principles – all organisms and their characteristics are the product of evolution, and all life processes have a physical and chemical basis. Simply put, at the most fundamental level, there is a shared molecular basis of life. Despite the astonishing diversity of living organisms, from bacteria living in deep ocean hydrothermal vents to cherry trees flowering in the spring to complex modern humans shaping the world around us, many features of all organisms at the cellular and molecular levels are fundamentally similar because of shared evolutionary history. Discoveries of fundamental molecular mechanisms in one species – a bacteria or fungus or fruit fly, for example – often apply to other distantly related organisms like humans. Solving many of the most perplexing and challenging biological, agricultural, medical, societal, and environmental problems in today’s world requires a broad and deep understanding of the molecular basis of life. The highly interdisciplinary field of molecular bioscience seeks to understand at the level of atoms and molecules how living things acquire energy and chemical nutrients from their environment, how they use that energy to fuel the basic biochemical reactions and cellular functions required for life, how they use molecular information encoded in their DNA to grow, survive, and reproduce, and how their metabolic and biochemical processes transform the environment in which we all live.
The broad goal of molecular bioscience, to understand the mechanisms of life processes at the physical, chemical, and cellular levels, requires students to integrate knowledge from several disciplines that traditionally are treated as separate realms of knowledge. Molecular bioscience is at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics, but most undergraduate programs require that students focus on one discipline at the exclusion of the other two. In contrast, the Molecular Bioscience major at DKU is designed to integrate fully the fields of biology, chemistry, and physics throughout the major’s course of study, so DKU students trained in molecular bioscience will be better prepared to understand and make fundamental advances on the tremendous challenges facing our current and future generations in human health, agriculture, biotechnology, and global environmental change.
Through the required interdisciplinary introductory courses including Biochemistry, Biophysics, Genetics and Evolution, and Biomedical Ethics, all molecular bioscience students will gain core foundational knowledge and skills that uniquely will enable them to pursue one of four more specialized tracks of courses that focus some of the most exciting fields of science today.
Students who choose the Biogeochemistry track will investigate the roles of living organisms in the global and local cycles of key elements such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, and how these cycles influence ecosystem dynamics and climate regulation. With a strong emphasis on systems thinking and interdisciplinary integration, the track combines molecular bioscience with ecosystem science, geology, and environmental chemistry. Students will develop the scientific tools needed to quantify biochemical fluxes, model environmental systems, and interpret long-term changes in Earth’s biogeochemical history. This preparation will uniquely equip graduates to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including human-driven climate change, pollution, and ecological degradation. Career pathways include environmental consulting, policy development, ecological research, and graduate study in environmental science, earth systems, and sustainability.
The Biophysics track will allow students to apply principles of physics to biological systems at molecular, organismal, and ecological levels bridging the gap between quantitative physical sciences and modern biological research. Students will explore how biological molecules behave, interact, and give rise to the mechanical and electrical properties of living systems. Through a combination of advanced coursework, interdisciplinary labs, and hands-on research experiences, students will gain deep insights into the physical and mathematical foundations of life processes, including the behavior of biological macromolecules and the mechanics of complex cellular systems. The curriculum emphasizes the structure-function relationships of proteins and nucleic acids, the thermodynamics and kinetics of molecular interactions, and the mechanical forces that govern cellular movement and organization. Students Graduates will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills to contribute to innovations in biomedical devices, biosensing technologies, single-molecule imaging and protein engineering.
The Cell and Molecular Biology track offers students a profound understanding of the inner workings of life at the cellular and molecular levels. Through this track, students will explore the molecular machinery of cells, including the regulation of gene expression, intracellular signaling, protein trafficking, and the cell cycle. The track highlights how these fundamental processes are crucial to human health and disease, with applications to cancer biology, pharmacology, developmental biology, immunology, virology, and biotechnology. Students will be exposed to cutting-edge discoveries in molecular genetics, genome editing, stem cell biology, and single-cell technologies, preparing them to interpret and contribute to contemporary biomedical research. Emphasis is placed on experimental approaches, including molecular cloning, microscopy, protein analysis, and bioinformatics. This interdisciplinary training lays the foundation for advanced study and careers in medicine, graduate research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development.
Students that choose the Genetics and Genomics track will obtain a comprehensive and interdisciplinary foundation in modern genomic science. This track emphasizes how advances in functional genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology are transforming our understanding of life at the molecular level. Students will explore gene expression and regulation, epigenetics, and how genomes evolve through population-level processes. They will gain hands-on experience analyzing large-scale genomic datasets, including transcriptomics, epigenomics, and single-cell sequencing data. The curriculum also addresses cutting-edge topics such as genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9, synthetic biology, and the bioethical considerations surrounding genetic technologies. Graduates of this track will be well prepared for careers in genomic medicine, biotechnology, genetic counseling, or research, equipped with the technical and analytical skills needed to interpret complex genomic data and apply it to real-world challenges in health, agriculture, and evolutionary biology.
The Neurosciences Track within the Molecular Bioscience major offers students an interdisciplinary foundation in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern brain development, function, and dysfunction. This track bridges fundamental principles of molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry with advanced topics in neurobiology, neuropharmacology, and systems neuroscience. Students will explore how molecular processes influence neural circuitry, behavior, cognition, and neurological disease. Through coursework and research opportunities, the track emphasizes critical thinking, experimental design, and the translation of basic research into therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Whether preparing for graduate studies, medical school, or careers in biotechnology and neuroscience research, students in the Neurosciences Track will gain a deep, integrative understanding of the brain from a molecular perspective.
Major Requirements
(Not every course listed is offered every term, and the course list will be updated periodically. Please refer to the online Course Catalog for Courses offered in 2025-2026.)
Molecular Bioscience / Biogeochemistry
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Choose one from the following two Math courses | ||
| MATH 101 | Introductory Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 105 | Calculus | 4 |
| And complete the following courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Integrated Science – Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Integrated Science – Chemistry | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | Integrated Science – Physics | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Introduction to Biophysics | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Bioethics | 4 |
| Choose one of the two courses below | ||
| BIOL 201 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 202 | Genetics and Evolution | 4 |
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit | |
| ENVIR 102 | Dynamic Earth and Oceans: Physical and Biological Sciences for the Environment | 4 | |
| BIOL 208 | General Ecology | 4 | |
| BIOL 311/ ENVIR 311 | Biogeochemistry | 4 | |
| And choose one course from the following three courses | |||
| STATS 101 | Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | 4 | |
| MATH 206 | Probability and Statistics | 4 | |
| And choose one course from the following three courses | |||
| BIOL 212 | Microbiology | 4 | |
| BIOL 313/ ENVIR 313 | Ecosystem Service | 4 | |
| BIOL 319 | Global Change Biology | 4 | |
| And choose one course from the following three courses | |||
| CHEM 150 | General Chemistry II | 4 | |
| BIOL 312 | Ecophysiology | 4 | |
| ENVIR 315/ CHEM 315 | Aqueous Geochemistry | 4 | |
Electives
Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year. (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit | |
| General Biology | |||
| BIOL 318 | Food Web Ecology | 4 | |
| BIOL 405 | Microbial Ecology | 4 | |
| Environmental and Chemistry | |||
| ENVIR 201 | Dynamic Earth and Oceans: Physical and Biological Sciences for the Environment | 4 | |
| ENVIR 202 | Biodiversity and Conservation | 4 | |
| ENVIR 304 | Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology | 4 | |
Molecular Bioscience / Biophysics
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Choose one from the following two Math courses | ||
| MATH 101 | Introductory Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 105 | Calculus | 4 |
| And complete the following courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Integrated Science – Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Integrated Science – Chemistry | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | Integrated Science – Physics | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Introduction to Biophysics | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Bioethics | 4 |
| Choose one of the two courses below | ||
| BIOL 201 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 202 | Genetics and Evolution | 4 |
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II | 4 |
| MATH 201 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| PHYS 201 | Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
| MATH 202 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
| PHYS 302 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 406 | Biophysics | 4 |
| And choose two courses from the following four courses | ||
| PHYS 301 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 306 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 404 | Nonlinear Dynamics | 4 |
Electives
Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year. (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit | |
| Methods | |||
| INTGSCI 205 | Scientific Methods and Communications | 4 | |
| Biomedical Sciences | |||
| BIOL 316 | Quantitative Physiology | 4 | |
| NEUROSCI 202 | Medical Neuroscience | 4 | |
| NEUROSCI 212 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 4 | |
| Mathematical, and Computer Sciences | |||
| MATH 303 | ODE and Dynamical Systems | 4 | |
| PHYS 310 | Physics of Particulate Materials | 4 | |
| MATH 403 | Partial Differential Equations | 4 | |
| MATH 410 | Modeling Biological Systems | 4 | |
| Chemistry | |||
| CHEM 404 | Physical Biochemistry | 4 | |
Molecular Bioscience / Cell and Molecular Biology
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Choose one from the following two Math courses | ||
| MATH 101 | Introductory Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 105 | Calculus | 4 |
| And complete the following courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Integrated Science – Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Integrated Science – Chemistry | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | Integrated Science – Physics | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| BIOL 202 | Genetics and Evolution | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Introduction to Biophysics | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Bioethics | 4 |
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| BIOL 201 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 212 | Microbiology | 4 |
| And choose three from the following four courses | ||
| BIOL 304 | Molecular Genetic Analysis | 4 |
| BIOL 306 | Cell Signaling and Diseases | 4 |
| BIOL 315 | Experimental Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 321 | Advanced Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| And choose one from the following courses | ||
| STATS 101 | Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | 4 |
| MATH 206 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Electives
Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year. (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Methods | ||
| INTGSCI 205 | Scientific Methods and Communications | 4 |
| Biological Science | ||
| BIOL 203 | Molecular, Behavioral and Social Evolution: Evolution of Genomes, Traits, Behaviors and Societies | 4 |
| BIOL 307 | Cancer Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 310 | Developmental Biology: Development, Stem Cells, and Regeneration | 4 |
| BIOL 314 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| BIOL 317 | Systems Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 401 | Advanced Biochemistry: Cell Metabolism | 4 |
| BIOL 409/ GLHLTH 409 | Fundamental Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL 410 / GLHLTH 410 | Principles of Nutrition and Disease | 4 |
| Data Science | ||
| BIOL 314 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 404 | Physical Biochemistry | 4 |
| Neuroscience | ||
| NEUROSCI 102 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| NEUROSCI 202 | Medical Neuroscience | 4 |
Molecular Bioscience / Genetics and Genomics
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Choose one from the following two Math courses | ||
| MATH 101 | Introductory Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 105 | Calculus | 4 |
| And complete the following courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Integrated Science – Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Integrated Science – Chemistry | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | Integrated Science – Physics | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| BIOL 202 | Genetics and Evolution | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Introduction to Biophysics | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Bioethics | 4 |
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| BIOL 201 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| And choose four from the following five courses | ||
| BIOL 304 | Molecular Genetic Analysis | 4 |
| BIOL 314 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| BIOL 321 | Advanced Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 403 | Experimental Methods in Functional Genomics | 4 |
| BIOL 407 | Population Genomics and Molecular Evolution | 4 |
| And choose one from the following courses | ||
| STATS 101 | Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | 4 |
| MATH 206 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Electives
Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year. (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Methods | ||
| INTGSCI 205 | Scientific Methods and Communications | 4 |
| Biomedical Sciences | ||
| BIOL 203 | Molecular, Behavioral and Social Evolution: Evolution of Genomes, Traits, Behaviors and Societies | 4 |
| BIOL 212 | Microbiology | 4 |
| NEUROSCI 301 | Research Methods in Neuroscience | 4 |
| BIOL 310 | Developmental Biology: Development, Stem Cells, and Regeneration | 4 |
| BIOL 315 | Experimental Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 317 | Systems Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 404 | Genomics of Adaptation | 4 |
| BIOL 409/ GLHLTH 409 | Fundamental Immunology | 4 |
| Data Science | ||
| BIOL 314 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| Environmental Science | ||
| ENVIR 202 | Biodiversity and Conservation | 4 |
Molecular Bioscience / Neuroscience
Divisional Foundation Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Choose one from the following two Math courses | ||
| MATH 101 | Introductory Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 105 | Calculus | 4 |
| And complete the following courses | ||
| BIOL 110 | Integrated Science – Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 110 | Integrated Science – Chemistry | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | Integrated Science – Physics | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| BIOL 202 | Genetics and Evolution | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Introduction to Biophysics | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Bioethics | 4 |
Disciplinary Courses
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| NEUROSCI 102 | Biological Basis of Behavior | 4 |
| BEHAVSCI 205 | Systems and Circuits | 4 |
| NEUROSCI 212 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 4 |
| NEUROSCI 301 | Research Methods in Neuroscience | 4 |
| BEHAVSCI 301 | Computational Neuroscience | 4 |
Electives
Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year. (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)
| Course Code | Course Name | Course Credit |
| Methods | ||
| INTGSCI 205 | Scientific Methods and Communications | 4 |
| Biomedical Sciences | ||
| BIOL 203 | Molecular, Behavioral and Social Evolution: Evolution of Genomes, Traits, Behaviors and Societies | 4 |
| BIOL 307 | Cancer Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 310 | Developmental Biology: Development, Stem Cells, and Regeneration | 4 |
| BIOL 314 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| BIOL 317 | Systems Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 401 | Advanced Biochemistry: Cell Metabolism | 4 |
| BIOL 409/ GLHLTH 409 | Fundamental Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL 410/ GLHLTH 410 | Principles of Nutrition and Disease | 4 |
| BIOL 411/ GLHLTH 411 | Vaccine Development for Emerging Infectious Diseases | 4 |
| Data Science | ||
| BIOL 314 | Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 4 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 404 | Physical Biochemistry | 4 |