Undergraduate Program
PCMB Sample Four-Year Curriculum
This is an example of classes to be taken by PCMB majors. In addition to classes required for the major, students must also fulfill the requirement of the General Education Curriculum (GEC). GEC classes are selected from a variety of academic areas. University students need more than specific education in a narrow field; broad exposure to varying fields helps provide a well-rounded education as well as wider preparation for life beyond college.
Note: This sample list represents only one of several possible paths to a degree in plant cellular and molecular biology. Consult the departmental advisor, Dr. David Somers for more information about the major.
Schedule of Coursework
| Schedule | Course | Credit Hours |
| First Year | Biological Sciences Survey General Chemistry General Biology Mathematics GEC - English Composition GEC - Foreign Language |
1 15 10 5 5 15 |
| First Year Total Credit Hours | 51 | |
| Second Year | Organic Chemistry Calculus General Plant Biology PCM Biology Major Course GEC - Foreign Language GEC - Social Science GEC - Arts and Humanities |
6 10 5 5 5 10 10 |
| Second Year Total Credit Hours | 51 | |
| Third Year | Physics Introduction to Biological Chemistry PCM Biology Major Courses General Genetics GEC - Arts and Humanities GEC - Second Writing Course |
10 5 10 5 10 5 |
| Third Year Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
| Fourth Year | Research Introduction to Statistics PCM Biology Major Courses Electives GEC - Social Sciences GEC - Arts and Humanities |
5 5 10 15 5 5 |
| Fourth Year Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Your Freshman Year Curriculum
A major in contemporary cell and molecular Biology requires a strong foundation in the supporting physical sciences, with coursework in mathematics, chemistry and physics as well as courses in genetics and biochemistry.
Essential Courses
Mathematics. All the sciences are founded on mathematical principles. The field biologist studying environmental influences on an endangered species, the biochemist elucidating an enzyme mechanism and the geneticist considering the likelihood of a recessive trait being expressed from one generation to the next, all rely on their understanding of mathematics. Your Bachelor of Science degree in PCMB requires math at least through calculus II. We recommend that you start taking mathematics from your very first quarter at Ohio State, since your subsequent enrollment in Chemistry and Biology depend on your having the appropriate math prerequisites.
Note that if you do not test into at least Mathematics 150 (Elementary Functions) at your summer orientation, you will be placed in Mathematics 050, 104 or 148, which could delay your Chemistry and Biology sequences. If you plan your schedule very carefully, and consider doing some of your work during a summer quarter, you should still be able to complete your undergraduate degree in four years.
Chemistry. As a PCMB major you will most likely become increasingly interested in chemistry as you gain an appreciation for the complex macromolecules that are central to a living cell, tissue and organism. Much like a protein is built up from simpler components, your comprehension of biochemistry is built upon general chemistry in the freshman year, then organic chemistry in the second year.
Biology. The two introductory courses in Biology touch on every major aspect of the biological sciences. Besides providing you with an understanding of the fundamental issues in contemporary biology, this two-course sequence may help you decide where you wish to concentrate within biology. You should begin your Introductory Biology sequence soon after completing your first quarter of General Chemistry.
Recommended Courses
English Composition. No matter how good you are at identifying mutant cells in a colony, utilizing computer graphics to visualize a molecular structure, or identifying variations in a plant's phenotype, you must be able to communicate the results of your work effectively. English 110 or 111 is your first year English composition course. (A second writing course should occur after the freshman year, and a third writing course may be incorporated in one of your advanced biology major courses.)
General Education - Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences. One needs only to pick up the daily newspaper or watch the news on television to realize that biology makes news these days. Biologists must consider the impact of their findings outside the lab. Studies in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are required as part of the general education curriculum in the Arts and Sciences. These studies will help you learn how to work well with others and understand other cultures, essential skills in our global economy. In addition, these studies help us wrestle with the meaning and ethics of the work we do.
A Note About Undergraduate Research:
Some of the most exciting biological research in the nation and even
the world is taking place in the Department of Plant Cellular and
Molecular Biology at the Ohio State University. As an undergraduate
student, you can experience the excitement of working with cutting-edge
technology while learning about the latest advances in your field.
Opportunities are available in many of our laboratories for undergraduates
to undertake projects ranging in duration from months to years. Some
undergraduates may even choose to become involved in a summer research
project at another institution. While most students begin their undergraduate
research experience during their junior and senior years, it is not
too soon to begin considering the options available to you and making
connections during your first year at Ohio State. As indicated on
the attached sample curriculum, up to 5 credit hours earned for undergraduate
research can be counted towards the PCMB major.
