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> Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience
at Montana State University
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Montana State University
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Steven Eiger
Undergraduate Studies
Two different undergraduate degree options are available within the Cell
Biology and Neuroscience major: Biomedical Sciences and Cell Biology & Neuroscience.
The Biomedical Sciences Option
is designed to fulfill the course requirements for admission to most medical,
dental, optometry, and veterinary schools. It may also be used to prepare for other
professional programs, or for biomedical research or teaching careers.
The Cell Biology and Neuroscience Option is
designed for students planning to attend graduate school or who are preparing
for careers in biomedical or neuroscience research. It offers additional
preparation in mathematics, physical chemistry and neuroscience. This option
can also be used to prepare for professional programs, or for teaching careers,
although students preparing for professional (e.g. medical) school admission
should note that this curriculum offers only one semester of organic chemistry
(most medical schools require a full year of organic chemistry).
Curriculum
In the freshman and sophomore years, students majoring in both options build a
broad scientific knowledge base, taking courses in biology, chemistry, physics,
and mathematics. As juniors or seniors, students can enroll in a variety of more
specialized upper division courses from several different biological science
departments at MSU, with programs tailored to the specific interests and career
goals of each student. Students can participate in a number of advanced laboratory
courses, and are also encouraged to design individual, independent projects guided
by a member of the faculty.
Career Preparation
Completion of one of our undergraduate degree options provides the foundations
for further training in medical school, veterinary medical school, medical technology,
physical therapy, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, other health sciences, biotechnology,
and other biologically related industries. For those students interested in pursuing
careers in academic or clinical research, our program also provides the foundation
for entry into post-graduate degree programs in biomedical or basic biological research
fields. Finally, our program provides an excellent foundation for those interested
in high school teaching.
Our
Handbook for Undergraduate Students presents much more detailed information
on all aspects of our programs.
[Click here for the downloadable version]
Research Opportunities
Faculty in the CB&N department welcome inquiries from students regarding research
opportunities in their labs. Students generally work on projects for credit, although
research stipends are available via the
Undergraduate Scholars (USP) Program . We also strongly encourage
students to apply for off-campus summer research programs offered nationwide.
Links to these programs are provided in the department summer research program
pages, below.
The department is home to two summer research programs,
REU (Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates) and
CBS (Complex Biological Systems Summer
Undergraduate Research Program). Both are 10-week, full-time research programs.
Participating students receive research stipends, plus housing and meal assistance.
Premedicine, Predentistry, and Preoptometry
Students may prepare for admission to medical, dental, or optometry school by
following the option in Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Cell Biology
and Neuroscience. The Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience provides
advising on matters pertaining to the biomedical sciences curriculum; advising
on matters pertaining to admission to professional schools is provided by
Dr. Frank Newman and a faculty Pre-Professional Advising Committee (PPAC) in
Health Professions Advising.
Requirements for Admission to Upper Division Courses in Biology
Admission to upper division (numbered 300 and above) courses taught in the
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience requires completion of at least 30
total university credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for all courses.
Grade Requirements for Fulfillment of Degree Options
In order to graduate with a B.S. in the department, students must earn a grade
of "C-" or better for every course required for the specific option, including
courses taken to fulfill required elective credits.
Graduation in Absentia
Some professional programs accept students before their degree requirements are
completed. It is often possible to transfer credits from the first year of professional
school to MSU to graduate with the baccalaureate degree in absentia. An official
copy of the year one professional school transcript must be sent to the MSU academic
advisor; he/she then writes a letter to the MSU Registrar explaining which credits
transfer and how they fulfill the degree requirements. The student then registers in
absentia at MSU for the semester in which the B.S. degree will be awarded.
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