Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology?
The School of Molecular and Cellular Biology is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and encompasses the Departments of Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular and Integrative Physiology. It is closely affiliated with the Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology and the Neuroscience Program along with other interdisciplinary programs. Outstanding faculty, nationally recognized graduate programs, state-of-the-art research, teaching, and library facilities, and an active seminar series highlight our school's resources. Close collaboration with other departments and schools at Illinois provide an educational and investigative system in life sciences that ranks among the top in the nation. Close ties are maintained in particular with the following colleges and schools at Illinois: the College of Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the School of Integrative Biology, and the School of Chemical Sciences (www.scs.uiuc.edu).
Why two biology majors?
In order to more efficiently respond to recent and impending changes in biology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign formed two schools of biology: the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and the School of Integrative Biology (IB). The recent formation of these new schools is a unique opportunity to provide you with revitalized curricula tailored more specifically to your needs. No scientific discipline has changed more in the past thirty years than biology. Advances in life sciences have given rise to vast new areas of knowledge and powerful new methodologies that have revolutionized not only the way biological research is carried out, but also its potential in the marketplace. As a result of these revolutionary changes, career options for undergraduate biology majors have changed radically. It is incumbent upon the faculty, therefore, to update the learning environment in biological sciences at Illinois to keep pace with new career options available in the modern biology arena. Modernization of the curriculum is further warranted by the growing influx of students from other academic disciplines that are suddenly becoming affected by the expansion and deepening of biological knowledge. While medicine and agriculture are the obvious beneficiaries of this knowledge explosion, novel applications of biological principles are engendering new subdisciplines in engineering fields such as biomaterials, bioprocessing, and biomedical engineering. On the other side of campus, philosophers and social scientists are being called upon to consider the ethical dimensions and the social consequences of applying these new biotechnologies to commercial ends. These trends collectively call for a strong central core of training in modern biological science for undergraduates at Illinois.
What is my course work path if I am seeking a degree in MCB?
The MCB major is available to all incoming students. If you choose biology as your area of study, you enter the university in the Biological Sciences Program. During your first year, you will take two one-semester introductory lecture courses (MCB 150 and IB 150), after which you will elect a major course of study in either MCB or IB. The School of MCB offers six core curriculum courses beginning with MCB 150: The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life. The Molecular and Cellular Biology major will provide you with solid preparation in molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, cellular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and structural biology. You will also acquire a strong background in math and physical sciences. After completion of the core curriculum in MCB, you may complete the required advanced coursework by taking a variety of MCB courses or may focus on a particular area of emphasis. The areas of emphasis offered include biochemistry, cells and tissues, developmental biology, infection and immunity, microbial biology, genetics, neurobiology and physiology. There is also a specialized undergraduate curriculum in biochemistry.
How do I decide between pursuing a degree in MCB or IB?
If you enter Illinois without advanced placement credit for biology you will take two biology courses during your first year on campus: MCB 150 and IB 150. These courses consist of lectures and discussion sections, and may be taken in any order. During the year, you will be exposed to the different emphases of the two schools of biology, which will help you make a choice that is right for you. You are encouraged to talk with professors, IB or MCB advisors, and career counselors to learn more about yourself, your interests,your academic strengths, and about upper level courses in your chosen major. For some of you this choice will be clear, but you may need to spend more time in order to select the most appropriate path.
Who can answer questions that I might have about this decision?
You are encouraged to speak with the MCB 150 faculty and teaching assistants for answers to questions that you have about MCB and the MCB major. Melissa Michael, Director for Core Curriculum for the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (252 Davenport Hall; (217) 244-6239; mmichae@uiuc.edu), is also available to answer questions. The The Career Center is an outstanding resource for information about what career path might best fit you. The MCB Advising Program staff is also available to help you select a major and plan your future course selections.
What careers exist for me in molecular and cellular biology?
Some careers such as physician, professor, and industrial research scientist are traditional choices for students of molecular and cellular biology. Many new careers are evolving daily as a result of developing new biotechnologies. The following is a partial list of careers available to students with strengths in molecular and cellular biology. Web sites related to those career categories have been included in most cases.
Medicine
College of Medicine at Illinois Urbana campus
College of Medicine at Illinois Urbana campus, Medical Scholars Program
colleges and universities
Allied Health Fields
Illinois Department of Public Health
University of Chicago College of Dentistry
Rush University College of Nursing
UIC College of Nursing
UIC College of Pharmacy
Indiana University School of Optometry
Loyola University Medical Center Podiatry
health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Veterinary Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois
veterinary colleges and hospitals
Academic Research
School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois
colleges and universities
Industry Research and Development
Biotechnology Center at Illinois at the University of Illinois
Pharmaceutical/Healthcare Industry
Abbott Laboratories
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Bayer
Eli Lilly and Company
Johnson & Johnson
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Monsanto Company
Pfizer, Inc.
Proctor and Gamble Company
Wyeth
Agricultural Industry
Dow AgroSciences LLC
Monsanto Company
Biotechnology/Chemical Industry
Dow Chemical Company
Invitrogen Life Technologies
Molecular Probes, Inc.
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
Food Industry
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
General Mills
Nabisco
Forensic Science/Local Law Enforcement
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Illinois State Police: Forensic Science Division
National Forensic Science Technology Center
United States Government
US Department of Defense
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Science Foundation (NSF))
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Department of Agriculture
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
federal laboratories and regulatory agencies
government lobbyist
United States Military
United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Marine Corp
United States Navy
Where can I find more information about potential employers of persons with cell and molecular biology degrees?
The Career Center
715 W. Wright Street
Champaign, IL
(217) 333-0820
The MCB Advising Program
127 Burrill Hall
(217) 333-6774
The Biotechnology Center
103 Observatory
901 S. Mathews, Urbana, IL
(217) 333-1695
Note: The Biotechnology Center Placement Office is mainly for use by M.S. and Ph.D students. Their Web site however can provide you with an excellent idea of the types of employers and individuals who use this service.
The faculty and staff in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology are also excellent sources of information on careers in their fields.