Sacred Heart University

The fast-paced world of the molecular and cellular sciences is greatly advancing our understanding of complex processes at all levels of biological organization ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem levels, as well as using cutting-edge techniques to address real-world problems in biomedical, industrial, and ecological settings. At Sacred Heart University, Molecular & Cellular Biology majors will make meaningful contributions to these fields through their participation in research teams of fellow undergraduates and biology faculty.

Why Earn Your BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology at Sacred Heart?

The Molecular & Cellular Biology major is interdisciplinary, combining a rigorous grounding in the foundational principles of biological science at all scales of organization from molecules to ecosystems with significant coursework in cellular and molecular biology. Through Sacred Heart's program, you’ll gain extensive research experience in elective labs and through supervised research with biology faculty or internships with local companies making use of molecular and cellular methods in their business (e.g., pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, breweries, hospitals).

Students are encouraged to broaden their perspectives by spending a semester on the SHU campus in Dingle, Ireland. 

Choose from the following areas of exploration

• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Developmental and Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Pharmacology and Toxicology

As a Molecular & Cellular Biology major at Sacred Heart, you can also:

• Benefit from small class sizes that are interactive and engaging in the classroom, laboratory or the field.

• Learn from accomplished faculty who are practitioners in their field.
• Gain foundational knowledge in molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics and biochemistry.
• Participate in laboratory studies involving nucleic acid or protein extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, fluorescent imaging of cells and tissues, nucleic acid sequencing, bioinformatics, cell culture, and more.
• Participate in paid summer research programs through faculty grants and SHU’s College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Initiative.
• Have opportunities to take short, two-week courses in Dingle, Ireland.
• Apply for a STEM scholarship, a grant awarded to SHU students by the National Science Foundation.
• Learn computer science and software skills in data management, statistical analyses, bioinformatics, SPSS, graphing techniques, Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Participate in various clubs and organizations, such as the Biology Club, Green SHUs, Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society, American Medical Student Association, Alpha Epsilon Delta (National Health Preprofessional Honor Society).