Program Requirements
Microbiology deals with the study of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, filamentous fungi, protozoa, and unicellular algae. Microbiologists seek to describe these organisms in terms of their structures, functions, and processes of reproduction, growth, and death at both the cellular and molecular levels. They are also concerned with their ecology, particularly in regard to their pathological effects on man, and with their economic importance.
The Microbiology major provides a thorough training in the basic microbiological skills. Further, students receive instruction in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biochemistry, all essential to the training of a modern microbiologist. Students can prepare for a variety of careers through a wide choice of electives. Microbiology graduates may enter graduate school in microbiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or related disciplines; they may enter medical or dental schools or pursue careers in one of the many industries or public service departments dependent upon microbiology. Some of these are the fermentation and drug industries, medical and public health microbiology, various food industries, and agriculture.
Microbiology majors planning to apply for admission to a medical or dental school should inform their advisors immediately upon entering the program.
Total Semester Hours: 124
1 BIOL 1100 and BIOL 1110 are strongly recommended; however, BIOL 1030 /BIOL 1050 may substitute for BIOL 1100 , and BIOL 1040 /BIOL 1060 may substitute for BIOL 1110 . The remaining 1-2 credits required must be satisfied by completing 1-2 extra credits.
2 See General Education Requirements .
3 MATH 1080 or STAT 2300 or other approved coursework. See advisor. Medical and dental schools have different mathematics requirements. Statistics will be useful in both graduate school and professional school.
4 See General Education Requirements . Six of these credit hours must also satisfy the Cross-Cultural Awareness and Science and Technology in Society Requirements. The Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) includes questions on psychology and sociology.
5 Elective hours may be used toward satisfying the requirements of a minor.
6 BCHM 3010 may be substituted.
7 BIOL 4620 (completed during the first semester of the student’s senior year) may be substituted.
8 ENGL 3140 may be substituted.
9 PHYS 1220 /PHYS 1240 may be substituted.
10 See advisor. A minimum of 12 credits is required. At least one course must be selected from each of the following fields:
Biomedicine: BIOL 4200 , BIOL 4560 , BIOL 4670 , BIOL 4840 , BIOL 4890 , GEN 3000 , GEN 3020 , HLTH 3800 , MICR 4000 , MICR 4050 , MICR 4110 , MICR 4140 , MICR 4170
Environmental: BIOL 4250 , MICR 4020 , MICR 4030 , MICR 4100
Food Safety, Industrial, and Technology: BIOL 4030 , BIOL 4870 , MICR 4070 , MICR 4130
Remaining credits can be satisfied by any 3000- or 4000-level MICR course, any of the above listed courses, or any of the following: BCHM 4400 , BIOL 3150 , BIOL 3160 , BIOL 3940 , BIOL 4910 , BIOL 4940
11 Students planning to apply to medical/dental schools should take PHYS 2080 and PHYS 2100 during the second semester of the junior year.
12 BIOL 4540 or MICR 4160
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