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Molecular geneticist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a molecular geneticist. Molecular geneticists usually study chemistry, genetics, or biology. 78% of molecular geneticists hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 14 real molecular geneticist resumes to see exactly what molecular geneticist education sections show.
The most common colleges for molecular geneticists are the Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
There are also many online molecular geneticist courses to help get the education required to be a molecular geneticist.
What education do you need to become a molecular geneticist?
What degree do you need to be a molecular geneticist?
- Bachelor's, 78%
- Doctorate, 11%
- Master's, 11%
What should I major in to become a molecular geneticist?
- Chemistry, 18%
- Genetics, 18%
- Biology, 9%
- Library Science, 9%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for molecular geneticists
| Molecular geneticist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 28.57% |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | 14.29% |
| University of Northern Iowa | 14.29% |
| Wheeling University | 14.29% |
| Spokane Falls Community College | 14.29% |
Best majors for molecular geneticists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 18.2% |
| 2 | Genetics | 18.2% |
| 3 | Biology | 9.1% |
| 4 | Library Science | 9.1% |
| 5 | Forestry | 9.1% |
Best colleges for molecular geneticists
The best colleges for molecular geneticists are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Duke University.
A molecular geneticist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for molecular geneticists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become molecular geneticists.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for molecular geneticists
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1. The Little Stuff: Energy, Cells, and Genetics
In this course, we will explore the smaller side of biology: molecular biology. We’ll cover basic topics including cell biology and how cells can go “rogue” and turn into cancer, how energy from the sun is transferred to fuel our bodies, basics of genetics and inheritance, and genetic technologies. At the end of this course, we will discuss ethical and moral implications of several exciting and new genetic technologies...
2. Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics
This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems...
3. Learn Molecular Docking From The Scratch
Kick start for molecular docking using Auto Dock...
4. Learn Molecular Dynamics from Scratch
Introduction to experimental approach of molecular dynamics using GROMACS...
5. Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy
The course introduces the three key spectroscopic methods used by chemists and biochemists to analyse the molecular and electronic structure of atoms and molecules. These are UV/Visible , Infra-red (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The content is presented using short focussed and interactive screencast presentations accompanied by formative quizzes to probe understanding of the key concepts presented. Numerous exercises are provided to facilitate mastery of each topic...
6. Cancer Biology
The healthcare system is a rapidly evolving field with new research leading to advancements in medicine. Developed at Johns Hopkins University and led by top-ranked Hopkins faculty and cancer experts, this specialization on Cancer Biology focuses on the basics of cancer biology, how cancer metastasis occurs, and specifically, screening guidelines for prostate cancer, the most common cancer in American men.\n\nThis specialization starts with an Introduction to the Biology of Cancer, introduces...
7. General Biology I: Foundations of Biology
An essential course in Biology for students of all ages...
8. Biotechnology: Antibodies & their role in Therapeutics
Learn about Antibodies: Their Structure, Types, Functions and Role in Therapeutics & Diagnostics Immunology Biology...
9. Chemical Biology
Chemical biology is a burgeoning field that has rapidly risen to prominence. This surge of interest has been fuelled by chemical biology’s applicability to understanding critical processes in live cells or model organisms in real time. This success has arisen because chemical biology straddles a nexus between chemistry, biology, and physics. Thus, chemical biology can harness rapid chemistry to observe or perturb biological processes, that are in turn reported using physical assays, all in an...
10. Classical papers in molecular genetics
You have all heard about the DNA double helix and genes. Many of you know that mutations occur randomly, that the DNA sequence is read by successive groups of three bases (the codons), that many genes encode enzymes, and that gene expression can be regulated. These concepts were proposed on the basis of astute genetic experiments, as well as often on biochemical results. The original articles were these concepts appeared are however not frequently part of the normal curriculum of biologists,...
11. Cancer Biology 101
Risk factors, how cancer grows, and how to treat it...
12. Introductory Biology
Life around us is simply amazing. I'll show you why...
13. Statistical Thermodynamics: Molecules to Machines
Modern engineering research focuses on designing new materials and processes at the molecular level. Statistical thermodynamics provides the formalism for understanding how molecular interactions lead to the observed collective behavior at the macroscale. This course will develop a molecular-level understanding of key thermodynamic quantities like heat, work, free energy and entropy. These concepts will be applied in understanding several important engineering and biological applications...
14. Introduction to the Biology of Cancer
Over 500,000 people in the United States and over 8 million people worldwide are dying every year from cancer. As people live longer, the incidence of cancer is rising worldwide and the disease is expected to strike over 20 million people annually by 2030. This open course is designed for people who would like to develop an understanding of cancer and how it is prevented, diagnosed, and treated. The course introduces the molecular biology of cancer (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes) as well...
15. Bioinformatics; Learn Docking & Mol Dynamics Simulation
Best Bioinformatics Course To Learn Advance Bioinformatics Techniques Like Docking & Molecular Dynamics Simulations...
16. The Complete MARINE BIOLOGY 101 Course, Beginner to Advanced
The NEW course with everything you need on Marine Biology - 2021 Online CERTIFICATE - Taught by a real marine biologist!...
17. Systems Biology and Biotechnology Capstone
NOTE: In order to take this course you should have taken and complete the following courses in the Signature Track: Introduction to Systems Biology, Network Analysis in Systems Biology, Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology, Experimental Methods in SB and Integrated Analysis In Systems Biology...
18. Biology Everywhere
Where have you experienced biology today? Journey through the science of life through the lens of our daily lives. This specialization is intended to bridge the gap between traditional biology classes and the practical biology knowledge needed in the real world. In each module, a different biological concept is examined and related to some real-world issues or experiences in an effort to demonstrate why the science of life matters to your everyday experience. Content includes subjects typically...
19. Genetics and Next Generation Sequencing for Bioinformatics
For software professionals entering Bioinformatics: DNA sequencing data analysis, NGS, & Biology prerequisites...
20. Systems Biology and Biotechnology
Design systems-level experiments using appropriate cutting edge techniques, collect big data, and analyze and interpret small and big data sets quantitatively.\n\nThe Systems Biology Specialization covers the concepts and methodologies used in systems-level analysis of biomedical systems. Successful participants will learn how to use experimental, computational and mathematical methods in systems biology and how to design practical systems-level frameworks to address questions in a variety of...
Top 10 most affordable universities for molecular geneticists
The most affordable schools for molecular geneticists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for molecular geneticists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for molecular geneticists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for molecular geneticists
The hardest universities for molecular geneticists to get into are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Duke University.
Some great schools for molecular geneticists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for molecular geneticists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
9. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for molecular geneticists
The easiest schools for molecular geneticists to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a molecular geneticist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for molecular geneticists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
5. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
6. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average molecular geneticist salary by education level
| Molecular geneticist education level | Molecular geneticist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $71,742 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $64,006 |
| Doctorate Degree | $86,924 |
Molecular geneticist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025