Typical Four-year Outline: Computational Biology BS (SCB)

The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's computational biology bachelor's degree provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.

The Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.

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Year One

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
UN 1015 Composition   3
Math 1160 or 1161 Calculus I with Tech Yes  4 or 5
BL 1100 Gen Bio I   3
BL 1110 Gen Bio I Lab   1
Essential Education: Michigan Tech Seminar BL 1580   1
CH 1150 University Chem I  Yes  3
CH 1151 University Chem Lab 1 Yes  1
Total   16 or 17
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
Essential Education: Foundations of the Human World   3
CS 1121 Intro to Programming I Yes 3
MA 2160 Calculus II with Tech Yes 4
BL 1200 Gen Bio II    3
BL 1210 Gen Bio II Lab   1
CH 1160 University Chemistry II Yes 3
CH 1161 University Chemistry II Lab Yes 1
Total   18

Year Two

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
Essential Education: Arts and Culture    3
CH 2410 Organic Chemistry I Yes 3
Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success   1
BL 2700 Principles of Computational Biology Yes 3
CS 1122 Intro to Programming II  Yes 3
MA 2330 Intro to Linear Algebra  Yes 3
Total   16
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
MA 3715 Biostatistics Yes 3
BL 2200 Genetics  Yes 3
BL 2210 Genetics Lab Yes 1
CS 2311 Discrete Structures  Yes 3
CS 2321 Data Structures Yes 3
Essential Education: Shape Elective Yes 3
Total   16

Year Three

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
Essential Education: Intercultural Competency   3
Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success    1
BL 3300 Genomics  Yes 3
BL 3025 Biochemistry Yes 3
MA 3740 Statistical Programming & Analysis Yes 3
CS 3425 Intro to Data Base Systems  Yes 3
Total   16
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
Essential Education: Experience   3
BL 3782 Writing Practicum Yes  2
CS 4321 Intro to Algorithms  Yes  3
Free Elective   3
Major Elective   3
Total   14

Year Four

Fall Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
Essential Education: Communication Intensive Yes 3
BL 4300 or 4310 Bacterial Genomics or Eukaryotic Genomics Yes 3
BL 4030 Molecular Biology Yes 3
BL 4840 Molecular Biology Techniques   3
Total   12
Spring Semester
Course Prerequisites Credits
BL 4600 Prof Dev Capstone Yes 1
Exp Learning Capstone   3
Approved Major Elective   3
Free Elective    4
Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success   1
Total   12

Grand Total = 120 Credits

Essential Education Requirements (24 total credits)

Required courses are:

  • Essential Ed Seminar (UN 1013 or UN 2013, 1 credit),
  • Composition (UN 1015-3 credits),
  • a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
  • a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
  • an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
  • an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
  • an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
  • and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.

For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.

Additional Notes

  • Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent course.
    • Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time, although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
      • Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
      • Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
      • Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult with your advisor)
  • Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
  • Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).

This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.

For 2025-2026. Revised 01/30/2026.