What is it like being a Molecular Biology major?
What are common misconceptions about MOL majors?
What kind of internships and international experiences have majors had?
How will Molecular Biology majors save the world?
Why would anyone want to date a MOL major?
The Department of Molecular Biology covers a wide variety of disciplines including biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, microbiology, virology, neuroscience, cancer biology, structural biology, computation and modeling, etc.
These different fields share the common goal of trying to elucidate the intricate mechanism of biological processes at the molecular level.
The study of Molecular Biology uses different laboratory techniques as well as different model organisms, ranging from yeast to fruit flies (Drosophila) and from worms (C. elegans) to mice.
From classes you'll learn how science is applied in research and medical advancements. You'll also learn how to critically analyze research articles and write papers that are comparable to research articles. You'll also get to experience hands-on how to work in a lab and learn how research is conducted.
What is it like being a Molecular Biology major?
The Molecular Biology department is highly flexible and enables students to study and explore a wide array of topics as they work towards completing the degree. In addition to mol bio courses, courses in a large variety of other departments can be used to satisfy mol bio departmental requirements, ranging from chemistry, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, chemical and electrical engineering, and psychology to anthropology, women and gender studies, operations research and financial engineering, and the Woodrow Wilson School. It is also possible to obtain one or more certificates along with your mol bio degree.
As for independent work, the junior year has two components. In the fall semester, students participate in two tutorials which meet once a week (1.5 hour sessions) for four weeks to discuss a short published research paper. At the end of each 4 week session, students are then assigned a fifth research paper which must be analyzed and critiqued in a 7 page (max) paper. For the spring semester, students select a faculty advisor to work with who will ultimately be their thesis advisor. Students are provided with a detailed description of each adviser's research and also have the opportunity to meet with potential advisers to discuss their work, goals, etc. After selecting one, students analyze the primary literature in their advisors' field and work with their advisor to formulate a research project which will be carried out their senior year. Students also have the opportunity to begin lab work if they desire. The primary literature review and project outline are 15 pages max.
As seniors, students will work on the projects outlined in their spring junior paper. Usually students begin working on their theses during the summer after their junior year, although this is not required. Projects can be lab based or non-lab research papers. The work completed during the junior year (acquiring the ability to read, interpret, and critically analyze primary literature in the fall and formulating a detailed plan for your thesis project in the spring) really equips you with the knowledge to tackle your senior thesis with confidence!
What are common misconceptions about MOL majors?
"All mol bio majors are premed." While some are, there are definitely many who are not!
What kind of internships and international experiences have majors had?
Most majors in Molecular Biology spend 10 weeks of their summer after junior year to stay in the lab of the Mol Department and work on their senior theses, which will continue into senior fall and spring.
Mol majors can also choose to spend a semester abroad, usually in the fall or spring term in junior year, in order to take courses in a different institute or carry out experiments. Students in the past have studied abroad in England (e.g. University College of London, King's College London, Oxford University), South Africa and Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
It is also important to note that mol majors can get internships in non-science related fields as well. Students majoring in molecular biology are attractive candidates for internships in a variety of fields such as banking and consulting. Employers recognize that molecular biology majors possess strong analytical and problem solving skills, so even without a business background employers know that Princeton mol majors will be able to learn quickly and think critically.
How will Molecular Biology majors save the world?
Molecular biology majors will be doctors, researchers, and so much more!
Why would anyone want to date a MOL major?
Lab coats and goggles. So hot right now.
