<p>I'm trying to narrow my very long list of possible colleges (I'm a junior, so I haven't yet started applying.) by the quality of education available at the institution. Cell biology is, with almost 100% certainty, the subject in which I'd like to major. I was wondering if anyone knew where are the best undergraduate programs for this field. If anyone happens to have experience in the program I'd love to hear further opinions about it. Suggestions for details to look for when evaluating a program myself would also be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Any suggestions at all would be helpful. Even if you aren’t entirely sure about the information.</p>
<p>I strongly encourage you to think about Haverford College. It was the first LAC to begin teaching cell biology back in the 1960s (before most major universities)! Haverford’s Biology Department is uniquely focused on molecular/cellular biology and committed to a research-based curriculum as a teaching tool.</p>
<p>They still have an amazing (many informed sources would call it the best) science program at any LAC. HHMI has singled out Haverford for its excellence. Check it out. Even the President at Haverford is a prominent stem cell expert/award-winning cancer research doctor/professor from UPENN Medical. </p>
<p>Check out:
[Haverford</a> College: Department of Biology : Welcome](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/biology/]Haverford”>Department of Biology)</p>
<p>[Haverford</a> College Office of Admission: Admission Videos](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/]Haverford”>http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/)</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I actually had Haverford on my list, but it wasn’t close to the top. This new information has made me reconsider, for the better.</p>
<p>To clarify the nature of the biology major at Haverford, it is in name a biology degree but in the courses required for the degree it focuses on cellular and molecular biology?</p>
<p>I have many friends here at Hopkins who are pursuing Molecular and Cell Biology. Fascinating program with a lot of interdepartmental work and focus. There’s also great programs and opportunities in behavioral biology, neuroscience, etc.
I think the most important part is that research is widely available in this field. I have friends who, from freshman year, were already doing cell biology research at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and on campus as well (as there are a ton of research labs on the Homewood campus).
I honestly think it’s one of the best programs in the country, given the faculty, the unparalleled opportunities in research, and the affiliation with the School of medicine (as there are faculty members who come to teach undergrads/host info sessions).</p>
<p>+, the campus fosters a liberal-arts college like atmosphere.</p>
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<p>Yes, @ Haverford… biology=cell and molecular biology. </p>
<p>If you want bio at the organism level, students have to take courses at Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the great information on both schools.</p>
<p>I was wondering about Vanderbilt’s programs as well. When looking through their majors they listed multiple cellular biology degrees, so I was wondering how that would compare with other schools, like Haverford or Johns Hopkins, that don’t have this sort of “advertisement” (the best way I can describe it).</p>
<p>Any more thoughts?</p>
<p>I would have liked to have heard about a few more schools too…</p>
<p>any good biology/research school almost always has amazing cell bio. If you want a generic list, here’s an okay one</p>
<p>[Top</a> Biology Programs](<a href=“http://biology.about.com/od/biologyprograms/a/aa091605a_2.htm]Top”>Top Biology Programs in U.S. Universities)</p>