The Cell and Molecular Biology major is an in-depth exploration of the underlying chemistry and molecular biology in living cells. Students in this major are well-prepared for a variety of careers and graduate programs including PhD programs in the life sciences, medical school, and related professional degrees.
Admission Requirements
- Register for a Life and Physical Science course in your first semester at John Jay (SCI 114, in-person lecture rather than on-line, is the preferred choice, or SCI 110 or 112).
- Register for your math placement course.
- Earn at least a 2.5 GPA in your math and science courses.
- At the end of the term, after your grades have been posted, consult with the Science Department about whether you can declare the CMB major, or possibly consider a biology or chemistry minor.
3. If you did not apply for the CMB major but are interested in declaring it, at your freshman registration session you must express this interest. An academic advisor will give you a Referral Form to take to the Admissions Office, where they will evaluate your eligibility. If admitted, you will be allowed to register for the appropriate biology and chemistry courses. If not, see the steps above for students who do not currently meet the major's admission criteria.
Major Requirements
CMB Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
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Math &
Quantitative Reasoning
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Life and Physical Science
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Scientific World
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Major Advising in Fall/Spring
Advisement for the Fall 2021 semester will be held via email. Please email all inquires to Dr. Rauceo at jrauceo@jjay.cuny.edu and allow 1-3 business days for a response.
In the subject line please write the following information:” Fall 2021 major/minor advisement: first name, last name, EMPL ID number (for example. Spring 2021 CMB advisement: Jane Doe, EMPL ID 000000).
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
Student advisement for CMB during winter intermission 2022 will be done via email from January 4th-January 28th. Please send all inquiries to Dr. Rauceo at jrauceo@jjay.cuny.edu and allow 1-3 business days for a response. In the subject line please provide the following information: Major/Minor advisement: first name, last name, EMPL ID number.
Registration and Major Holds
Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a major hold placed on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with Dr. Jason Rauceo. This discussion will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
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Take your prerequisite 100-level Math courses as early as possible (no later than your second semester in the major).
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Be aware of major courses that are offered only in the fall or spring semesters (see chart below). Please note that course availability can change depending on student enrollment.
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Course Name and Number
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Available Fall Semester
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Available Spring Semester
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| BIO 101 Paced General Biology I | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 102 Paced General Biology II | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 103 General Biology I | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 104 General Biology II | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 205 Cell Biology | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 211 Microbiology | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 212 Microbiology Lab | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 255 Gender and Sexuality | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 315 Genetics | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 355 Human Physiology | Yes | No |
| BIO 356 Human Anatomy/Physiology Lab | Yes | No |
| BIO 360 Human Pathology | Yes | No |
| BIO 364 Forensic Pathology | No | Yes |
| BIO 380 Selected Topics in Biology | TBD | TBD |
| BIO 412 Molecular Biology | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 413 DNA Fingerprinting and Analysis | No | Yes |
| BIO 402 Research Internship | Yes | Yes |
| BIO 488 CMB Capstone Course | No | Yes |
| TOX 313 Toxicology of Environmental and Industrial Agents | Yes | Yes |
Services to Help You Succeed
Monitor Your Progress in the Major (Major Checklist, Sample 4 yr Plan)
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: be sure to confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and major advisor.
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CMB Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.
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Sample Four Year Plan - See our Sample Four Year Plan for students who placed into MAT 105 or our Sample Four Year Plan for students who placed into MAT 141 for an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that each sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.