However, students with a good science background will be especially well prepared for the major. There are no formal requirements for declaring the molecular genetics major. However, students with a strong interest and aptitude for science, as reflected in good grades, are most likely to succeed in the major. If these courses are taken in the junior year, the student will have the senior year for additional major courses for which the core courses are prerequisites. The GEC is a body of courses designed to ensure that each student becomes acquainted with the basic areas of academic study.
Some majors also require completion of a foreign language requirement.
At least three additional hours from courses taught by the Department of Molecular Genetics. Another 15 hours of biology courses must be taken from those offered by the Department of Molecular Genetics or from a list of approved courses offered by other departments. This last option gives students the flexibility to take courses required for admission to professional schools. In 1992 the American Association for the Advancement of Science conducted an opinion poll of members, asking what scientific specialty holds the greatest promise over the next decade. Genetics was ranked second in frequency from engineers and Earth scientists.