Molecular Biology

Molecular biologists study the structure of DNA, the way genes encode proteins, and the creation of our modern understanding of heredity

A Pitzer student writes down some data while holding a test tube

About Our Molecular Biology Program

Learn the foundational principles and findings of Molecular Biology through hands-on research as you develop hypotheses and design experiments to test them.
Prepare for your post-Pitzer career through our research-intensive Molecular Biology curriculum. This program can lead you to graduate studies, medical school, or professions in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry.
As a Molecular Biology major, you’ll take classes and conduct research with world-class faculty from Pitzer and Scripps Colleges through our Department of Natural Sciences.
You’ll be able to take advantage of labs, classrooms, offices, and even a community greenhouse in the 65,000-square-foot Nucleus, our brand-new science building.

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At a Glance

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Molecular Biology (Department of Natural Sciences)

Program Type

Major

Area of Study

This program is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences

Molecular Biology & Our Values

Pitzer’s core values are woven throughout all of our academic programs. Learn how our Molecular Biology program specifically addresses interdisciplinary learning and student engagement.

Interdisciplinary Learning

Molecular Biology comprises a range of fields from biology to mathematics, and Pitzer’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning means that you’ll be able to take full advantage of all the subjects this major has to offer.

4 Fields of Study

Molecular Biology majors are required to take courses from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

Student Engagement

“We have sequenced thousands of genomes. ... The hard work is figuring out what all of that genetic information means: What does it do? What is its function? This is stuff we’ve got to figure out, and we thought, ‘What a great opportunity to involve the hundreds of undergraduate hands we teach in the laboratory.’”

Emily Wiley

Professor of Biology, Department of Natural Sciences

26 Research Groups

As a student in the Department of Natural Sciences, you'll be able to choose between 26 research groups depending on your interests.

17+ Undergraduate Publications

Students in the Department of Natural Sciences' eight Biology labs have published at least 17 times over the last five years.

Students working in a molecular biology lab

Get Involved

Pitzer molecular biology alumnus Juan Santos

Research

After his younger brother developed a hard-to-treat lung infection, Juan Santos ’23, a Molecular Biology and Spanish double major, dedicated his college career to researching disease-causing bacteria. In 2023, he spent the summer working with faculty at Stanford University to hone the skills he learned at Pitzer and explore his interests in greater depth.

Read Juan's Story

Resources

Pitzer’s Molecular Biology major is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences, a joint department that serves students from Pitzer and Scripps College. The Department has 50+ full-time faculty, and places an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and research.

Molecular Biology Program Details

View Course Catalog

What You'll Learn

How to understand and apply foundational scientific principles in Molecular Biology.
How to discuss and analyze original scientific research articles.
How to interpret data, identifying control and experimental samples.
How to design controlled experiments to test specific hypotheses.

Learn More

Visit the Pitzer course catalog's Molecular Biology page for more information and resources.

Molecular Biology Page

Required Coursework

Foundation courses

Introductory Biology – Take one of the following courses:
- BIOL 043L KS – Introductory Biology
- BIOL 042L KS – Integrated Biology and Chemistry
Basic Principles of Chemistry – Take one of the following courses or course combinations:
- CHEM 014L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (fall) and CHEM 015L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (spring)
- CHEM 014L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (fall) and CHEM 042L KS – Integrated Biology and Chemistry
- CHEM 029L KS – Accelerated General Chemistry
Mathematics – Take all of the following courses:
- MATH 030 PZ – Calculus I
- MATH 031 PZ – Calculus II
Principles of Physics – Take one of the following course combinations:
- PHYS 033L KS – Principles of Physics (fall) and PHYS 034 L KS – Principles of Physics (spring) (Recommended Option)
- PHYS 030L KS – General Physics for the Life Sciences (fall) and PHYS 031L KS – General Physics for the Life Sciences (spring)

Upper-division courses

Biology – Take all of the following courses:
- BIOL 143 KS – Genetics
- BIOL 173L KS – Molecular Biology Seminar w/ Lab
- BIOL 157L KS – Cell Biology
- BIOL 170L KS – Molecular Biology
- BIOL 177 KS – Biochemistry
- One additional lab course in Biology (selected in consultation with faculty adviser)
Chemistry – Take all of the following courses:
- CHEM 116L KS – Organic Chemistry (fall) and CHEM 117L KS – Organic Chemistry (spring)
- CHEM 121 KS – Principles of Physical Chemistry I (Thermodynamics)

Senior Thesis

As a Molecular Biology student, you will be required to complete a one– or two–semester senior thesis. The thesis requirement can be fulfilled by the following courses:

Two-Semester Thesis with Lab (Preferred): BIOL 188L KS – Senior Thesis Research Project in Biology (First Semester) and BIOL 190L KS – Senior Thesis Research Project in Biology (Second Semester)
Two-Semester Thesis with Summer Research: BIOL 189L KS – Senior Thesis Summer Research Project and BIOL 190L KS – Senior Thesis Research Project in Biology (Second Semester)
One-Semester Thesis: BIOL 191 KS – One-Semester Thesis in Biology

View Course Catalog

Molecular Biology Program Faculty

Jennifer Armstrong

Professor of Biology

Michael Brown

Biology Education Specialist

Sarah Budischak

Assistant Professor of Biology

Pete Chandrangsu

Assistant Professor of Biology

Brian Duistermars

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Elise Ferree

Professorial Lecturer in Biology

Patrick Ferree

Professor of Biology

Findley Finseth

Associate Professor of Biology

Sarah Gilman

Associate Professor of Biology

Kyle Jay

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Erin Jones

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Cory Kohn

Biology Education Specialist

Jenna Monroy

Associate Professor of Biology

Marion Preest

Professor of Biology

Benjamin Schlau

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Aditi Vyas

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Emily Wiley

Professor of Biology
Associate Dean CMC

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