Molecular Biosciences

Exploring the foundations of biology and disease in pursuit of cures, knowledge and human flourishing.

World-Shaping Discovery

Insights into Life’s Fundamentals

With two alumni who recently won Nobel Prizes in Physiology and Medicine and faculty members who have made essential breakthroughs in the fights against COVID-19, cancer and more, our department has both a history of—and 60 current research labs—changing the world. Award-winning researchers and teachers, interdisciplinary teams and sophisticated scientific facilities make UT Austin stand out. 
 

Biochemistry & Biosciences

Some biology specializations overlap closely with Molecular Biosciences, while others relate more to the Departments of Integrative Biology and Marine Science.

Find undergraduate information and examples of courses

All bioscience options for undergraduates

Graduate studies in the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences

I had fantastic mentors and was able to develop real life skills, such as creating my own research project and leading it from start to finish. I know I will take those skills with me to medical school and continue to use them as a physician researcher.”

Amelia Mercado

Biology

For Majors

Experiences & Careers

Students of the molecular biosciences may major in biology, biochemistry or medical laboratory science and get involved in lab research, study abroad and interning while at UT. They enter many different career paths or go on to health, professional and graduate schools.  Many enter careers in biotechnology, health professions, research and education. Recent grads have job titles like:

  • Biomedical ethics research fellow
  • Clinical research coordinator
  • Quality analyst
  • Newborn hearing screener

See biology Major career Paths

Discover biochemistry Major career Paths

See medical laboratory science Major career Paths

Explore student opportunities for these majors

In The Texas Scientist

Explore Stories

As a powerhouse in cell and developmental biology, biotherapeutics and systems and synthetic biology, this department is where scientists developed the breakthrough antigen used in the leading COVID-19 vaccines, created a plastic-eating enzyme that could help reduce landfill waste and manage the world’s longest-running evolution experiment of its kind.

Inside the lab that invented the COVID-19 vaccines

Making a plastic-eating enzyme that could eliminate billions of tons of landfill waste

Long-term Evolution Experiment makes its home at UT Austin

Study & Learn

Undergraduates can receive bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry, in biology or in medical laboratory science. Students with an interest in forensic science or pre-health may pursue a certificate in either area. Graduate studies are available in the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences: microbiology, cell and molecular biology and biochemistry.

Type
BS
Academic Program

Biochemistry: Option 1

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biochemistry: Option 3

Honors

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BSA
Academic Program

Biology

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 1

Ecology, Evolution & Behavior

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 2

Human Biology

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 3

Marine & Freshwater Science

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 4

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 5

Cell & Molecular Biology

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 7

Plant Biology

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 8 Composite

Teaching, Senior grades/Middle grades/All certifications

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 8 Life Science

Teaching, Senior grades/Middle grades/All certifications

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 9

Biology Honors

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 10

Computational Biology

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
BS
Academic Program

Biology: Option 12

Genetics and Genomics

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
C
Academic Program

Evidence and Inquiry

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Evidence and Inquiry

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Evidence and Inquiry

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Forensic Science

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Marine Science

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
BS
Academic Program

Medical Laboratory Science

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
Type
C
Academic Program

Pre-Health Professions

Non-Science Major Track. Students outside of the College of Natural Sciences only.

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Pre-Health Professions

Non-Science Major Track. Students outside of the College of Natural Sciences only.

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Pre-Health Professions

Non-Science Major Track. Students outside of the College of Natural Sciences only.

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Pre-Health Professions

Science Major Track

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Pre-Health Professions

Science Major Track

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

Pre-Health Professions

Science Major Track

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

UTeach-Natural Sciences Accelerated Track

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A
Type
C
Academic Program

UTeach Natural Sciences Secondary Teaching Option

Year of Entry
2022–2024
Requirements
What to Take When
N/A

Molecular Biosciences News

A dense field of galaxies set against a black background of space

UT News

UT Austin’s Top Research Stories of 2023

From a brain decoder to a supermassive black hole to a cancer drug advance, College of Natural Sciences researchers made breakthroughs this year.