The Certificate in Quantitative Biology (QB) option allows some undergraduate majors in the School of MCB to receive recognition for completing coursework providing a foundational understanding of Quantitative Biology at multiple levels and from multiple perspectives. Students completing the certificate will be presented with an official certificate document and will be free to use this credential on a CV, resume, or application for advanced study. Students should be aware that this certificate does not appear on a student's transcript.

To declare the certificate, students must meet with a Biochemistry or MCB advisor and complete the online declaration form by the 10th day of their final semester. In order to receive the printed certificate and be recognized at the School of MCB convocation, students will be expected to complete this checklist for certification by the last day of classes in their final semester.

For completion of the Certificate in QB, students must complete the existing MCB or BIOC degree program requirements by selecting the following groups of courses:

  • Calculus II (in addition to, or instead of, STAT 212)
  • Accelerated Chemistry Sequence (CHEM 202-205)
  • University Physics (PHYS 211-214)

MATH 241: Calculus III (4 credit hours) is a required course for this certificate.

It is also suggested that students complete of a minimum of 3 credit hours of MCB 290 or BIOC 290: Undergraduate Research such that they are eligible to enroll in MCB 492 or BIOC 492.

An additional 9 credit hours of coursework in Quantitative Biology is required for completion of the certificate. Courses must be chosen from the Approved List of courses below. Note: All of these courses will also count toward the 15 credit hours of advanced MCB courses required for MCB majors.

Approved List of Courses for Certificate in Quantitative Biology:

Term (s) Offered

Course

Course Title

Credit Hrs

Cross Listed Courses

SP

MCB 317*
See note below

Genetics and Genomics

4

 

FA

MCB 401

Cell & Membrane Physiology

3

 

SP

MCB 432

Computing in Molecular Biology

3

 

SP

MCB 435

Evolution of Infectious Disease

3

IB 442

SP

MCB 446

Physical Biochemistry

3

BIOC 446, CHEM 472

SP

MCB 462

Integrative Neuroscience

3

NEUR 462

FA

MCB 471

Cell Structure and Dynamics

3

 

SP

MCB 493 EPI

Epigenetics

3

 

FA

BIOC 440B†

Physical Chemistry Principles

4

CHEM 440B

FA

BIOP 401

Introduction to Biophysics

3

 PHYS 475

FA/SP

MCB 492 or BIOC 492

Senior Thesis§

3

 

FA: Fall; SP: Spring; NCBO: Not currently being offered on a regular basis.

*Students cannot earn credit for both MCB 316 and MCB 317.

†BIOC 440B: Only Section B is approved as an advanced MCB course.

§A senior thesis based on research conducted on an approved QB project in an approved QB laboratory in the School of MCB or Grainger College of Engineering. See an MCB or Biochemistry advisor for more information.

Notes

Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate, but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after any restriction, which may have been placed, has been removed.

Courses may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one MCB certificate.

Contact

advising@mcb.illinois.edu or 217-333-6774