Doane University

What you'll study

The programme blends core courses in chemistry, biology and physics with specialised classes that examine biological processes at the molecular and physical levels. Early coursework typically covers general chemistry, introductory biology, calculus and physics to establish quantitative and experimental foundations.

• Core molecular and biochemical subjects: organic chemistry, physical chemistry concepts relevant to biomolecules, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and genetics.
• Biophysics and quantitative skills: structural biology, spectroscopy and imaging methods, thermodynamics and kinetics of biological systems, data analysis and biostatistics, and computational approaches such as basic bioinformatics.
• Laboratory and practical training: progressive lab courses teaching techniques in protein biochemistry, nucleic acid methods (PCR, electrophoresis, cloning basics), microscopy, and experimental design; emphasis on good laboratory practice and safety.
• Research and capstone experience: semester-long independent research projects or thesis work conducted under faculty supervision, opportunities for summer research, and seminar-style courses that develop scientific communication skills.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: advanced topics such as enzymology, neurobiology, synthetic biology, advanced spectroscopy, or courses in ethics, policy and entrepreneurship to broaden career-relevant knowledge.

The programme is delivered within Doane's liberal-arts framework, so students also complete general education requirements that strengthen writing, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. Students are encouraged to pair the major with minors or concentrations such as mathematics, computer science, psychology or environmental studies.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high-school diploma or equivalent with a record of achievement in science and mathematics. Typical preparation includes high-school biology, chemistry and at least one course in algebra or precalculus; successful candidates often have experience in advanced high-school courses (AP, IB or equivalent) where available.

• Academic expectations: consistent academic performance in science and maths; admissions considers the overall secondary-school transcript in context.
• Supporting materials: a personal statement outlining interest in molecular life sciences, at least one academic reference (preferably from a science teacher), and a résumé of any laboratory, volunteer or relevant extracurricular experience.
• Additional applicants: transfer students should provide college transcripts and descriptions of completed science coursework; mature applicants are considered on an individual basis.

Doane uses a holistic admissions approach; standardised test submission policies may be flexible, so applicants should check current guidance from the university admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of careers that require strong laboratory, analytical and problem-solving skills. Common career paths include:

• Laboratory and technical roles: research technician or laboratory analyst in academic, government or industrial settings, including biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
• Further study: entry to graduate programmes (MSc/PhD) in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related fields, and professional schools such as medical, dental or physician assistant programmes.
• Applied and interdisciplinary careers: clinical laboratory science, quality control, regulatory affairs, science communication, patent and intellectual property support (often with further legal training), and roles in environmental or public-health agencies.
• Teaching and outreach: secondary school science teaching (with appropriate certification) and education or outreach roles in museums, zoos or non-profit organisations.

Doane emphasises experiential learning and employer engagement, so students commonly gain internships, co-curricular experiences and faculty-mentored research that strengthen employability or graduate-school applications.

Why study at Doane University

Doane offers a small-college environment with close faculty mentorship and significant opportunities for undergraduates to lead real research projects. Class sizes are small, enabling personalised instruction and regular access to laboratory supervision.

• Undergraduate research focus: students can join faculty laboratories early in their studies, present at campus symposia and pursue senior capstone projects.
• Hands-on facilities and training: the curriculum emphasises practical laboratory skills, experimental design and data analysis to prepare students for contemporary life-science workplaces.
• Cross-disciplinary support: a liberal-arts education enhances communication, ethics and quantitative reasoning, while advising services support pre-health and graduate-school planning.
• Regional and professional connections: Doane maintains relationships with local health systems, research institutes and industry partners that help students secure internships and post-graduate opportunities.

Overall, the programme is well suited to students seeking a rigorous, research-oriented undergraduate experience in molecular biology within a supportive liberal-arts setting.