The major in the Department of MBB is open to students beyond their first year who have received grades of C or better in courses taken toward the major, except by special permission of the departmental chair. A grade of C or better in courses credited toward the major is required for graduation.

1. All MBB students must take the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry series (694:407 in the fall semester and 694:408 in the spring semester). These are advanced lecture courses that are designed to give students a strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology. These courses are to be taken in the junior year. However, sufficiently qualified sophomores may also take the course if they have had organic chemistry.

2. Students must take either of the 694:315 or 694:215 Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research courses. The 694:315 course is generally meant for junior students in the major, but sophomores are also strongly encouraged to take the course if their schedule permits. Students who have taken the Honors Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research course (694:215) are not required to take the 315 course.

3. MBB students must take the 694:483 and 694:484 Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry courses in their senior year, while they are completing their independent research projects. These are capstone courses in which students will hear presentations from scientists in academics, industry and medicine about career paths. In the second half of each course students will perform presentations on their research projects.

All MBB students are required to perform an independent research project under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students may choose to work with faculty member from any of a number of Rutgers or UMDNJ departments. The Department of MBB offers two laboratory research options, as well as a non laboratory research option. Students are encouraged to begin their research projects as early in their education at Rutgers as possible. Students must fill out a Research Special Permission Form that is signed by their research advisor and MBB faculty advisor to enroll for research credits. All students doing research must submit a paper to the department office describing the work done, before credit will be given.

Lab Option I: Students need a total of 12 credits of research.

Lab Option II: Students need only 6 credits of research and must take an additional MBB elective in addition to the required MBB electives for Course Options I or II.

Non-Lab Option: Non-lab students must take 694:490-492 Literature Research in MBB., at least 6 credits and must take an additional MBB elective in addition to the required MBB electives for Course Option I or II.

To qualify, a student must have attained, at the end of the junior year, an overall cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 or better and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 or better in courses required for the major. Exceptional students not meeting these criteria but wishing to apply for honors research may petition the department chairperson at the beginning of their senior year. Students accepted to the program are expected to complete two terms (6 credits per term) of honors course work.

Thesis Each student in the Departmental Honors Program is required to write a thesis on their research project by the end of their senior year. The format of the thesis uses that of a scientific article.  Honors students are also required to have an oral presentation of their thesis research with two faculty members.