Female in White Lab Coat Examining a Slide.

Physiology Cell and Molecular Biology

Broaden your knowledge on the structures and functions of organisms and biological processes at the cellular level.

Why Study Physiology, Cell & Molecular Biology at USD?

As a physiology, cell & molecular biology major at USD, you will study cells and their function at basic molecular levels and how they organize into more complex groups. You will also gain in-depth knowledge of underlying molecular processes that govern how organisms function. In our state-of-the-art facilities, our program allows you to take part in cutting-edge research with faculty members studying topics such as hormonal stress response and metabolic aging. Hands-on learning combines with the highest quality classroom instruction to prepare graduates to work in bioscience research and the pharmaceutical industry and to attend graduate or professional schools.

Join a field where new discoveries come at a rapid pace and offer real advances in such areas as  biomedicine, agriculture, genetics and immunology as a physiology, cell and molecular biology major at USD.


Degrees & Offerings

Physiology, Cell & Molecular Biology (B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

Gain a foundation in biology while focusing on your unique interest in physiology, cell and molecular biology. You'll take classes like Cell Biology, Comparative Physiology and Neurobiology to learn about living systems, ultimately preparing you for a career in research or further education in biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceuticals and more.

Biology (B.S./M.S.)

Accelerated Program
  Vermillion Main Campus

Earn a master's degree while completing your bachelor's degree. Apply to and begin the master's program after completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours. This accelerated one-year path to earning your master's does not require a thesis.

Program Details

Undergraduate

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Department

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Admissions

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in biology.
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Biology

Research, explore and experience the study of life from the molecule to large biomes in the Department of Biology.

Overview of the Missouri River

Missouri River Institute

Located along the free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River, the Missouri River Institute explores the natural and cultural resources of the river through its focus on research, education and outreach.

Students conducting field research by a river.

Your Enriching Education

Undergraduate research. Biology Club. Innovative and exciting classes.


In the Department of Biology, you'll benefit from hands-on learning in and beyond the classroom, and you'll find answers to the questions you are most curious about. Whether you choose to specialize in conservation & biodiversity, human dynamics or physiology, cell & molecular biology, you won't just receive an education – you'll experience it.

 

Learn more about the biology major

Hear from a USD Alum

Success story Carrie Eckert smiling.
The biology department staff was very supportive. Afterwards, I worked at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the University of Colorado, Boulder before being recently recruited to lead a new synthetic biology group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee. My base education in biology and training in a research lab prepared me for graduate school and beyond.

Carrie Eckert

B.S. Biology '99
Synthetic Biology Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN

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