MICROBIOLOGY
Bachelor of Science

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. The Microbiology curriculum with Molecular Biology Concentration is recommended for students planning postgraduate programs. Microbiology graduates may enter graduate school in microbiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or related disciplines; they may enter a medical or dental school or pursue a career 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.

Freshman Year

First Semester
5 - BIOL 110 Principles of Biology I¹
4 - CH 101 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 101 Composition I
4 - MTHSC 106 Calculus of One Variable I
16

Second Semester
5 - BIOL 111 Principles of Biology II¹
4 - CH 102 General Chemistry
3 - ENGL 102 Composition II
1 - MICRO 100 Microbes and Human Affairs
3-4 - Mathematical Sciences Requirement²
16-17

Sophomore Year

First Semester
3 - CH 223 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 227 Organic Chemistry Lab.
3 - CP SC 120 Issues in Computers
4 - MICRO 305 General Microbiology
3 - Literature Requirement³
3 - Social Science Requirement⁴
17

Second Semester
3 - BIOCH 301 General Biochemistry
3 - CH 224 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 228 Organic Chemistry Lab.
3 - Literature Requirement³
4-3 - Mathematical Sciences or Science Requirement⁵
3 - Approved Requirement⁶
17-16

Junior Year

First Semester
4 - MICRO 401 Advanced Bacteriology
3 - SPCH 250 Public Speaking
4-3 - Physics Requirement⁷
6-7 - Elective
17

Second Semester
4 - MICRO 412 Bacterial Physiology
4 - MICRO 415 Microbial Genetics
4 - Physics Requirement⁷
3 - Social Science Requirement⁴
3-4 - Elective
18-19

Senior Year

First Semester
3 - ENGL 314 Technical Writing
14-13 - Approved Requirement⁶
17-16

Second Semester
4 - MICRO 411 Pathogenic Bacteriology
12 - Approved Requirement⁶
16

134 Total Semester Hours

¹BIOL 103 may substitute for BIOL 110, and BIOL 104 may substitute for BIOL 111; the remaining 1­2 hours required must be satisfied by completing 1­2 extra hours in either biological sciences or microbiology.

²Select from MTHSC 108, 301, or EX ST 301. MTHSC 108 is required for MicrobiologyMolecular Biology majors.

³ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, H210.

⁴See General Education Requirements.

⁵Select from GEOL 101 or any science course at the sophomore level or above, excluding microbiology, with advisor's approval.

⁶A minimum of 15 credits must be selected from the following: AVS 458, BIOSC 403, 404, 425, 426, 456/457, MICRO 400, 403, 407, 410, 413, 414, 416, 417, 491 (six credits maximum with advisor's approval), PL PA 456.

⁷Select from the following: PHYS 207/208 or 122/221/223.

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY CONCENTRATION

See Microbiology curriculum for Freshman year.

Sophomore Year

First Semester
3 - CH 223 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 227 Organic Chemistry Lab.
3 - CP SC 120 Issues in Computers
4 - MICRO 305 General Microbiology
3 - Literature Requirement¹
3 - Social Science Requirement²
17

Second Semester
3 - BIOCH 301 General Biochemistry
3 - CH 224 Organic Chemistry
1 - CH 228 Organic Chemistry Lab.
3 - Literature Requirement¹
3 - Microbiology Requirement³
3 - Social Science Requirement²
16

Junior Year

First Semester
3 - CH 313 Quantitative Analysis
1 - CH 317 Quantitative Analysis Lab.
4 - MICRO 401 Advanced Bacteriology
3 - MICRO 414 Basic Immunology
4-3 - Physics Requirement⁴
2-3 - Elective
17

Second Semester
4 - MICRO 412 Bacterial Physiology
3 - MICRO 417 Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis and Aging
3 - SPCH 250 Public Speaking
4 - Physics Requirement⁴
3 - Elective
17

Senior Year

First Semester
3 - BIOCH 423 Principles of Biochemistry
3 - ENGL 314 Technical Writing
4 - MICRO 415 Microbial Genetics
3 - MICRO 416 Introductory Virology
3 - Elective
16

Second Semester
3 - BIOCH 432 Biochemistry of Metabolism
4 - MICRO 411 Pathogenic Bacteriology
3 - MICRO 491 Special Problems
8 - Elective
18

134 Total Semester Hours

¹ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210.

²See General Education Requirements.

³AVS 458, BIOSC 403, 404, 425, 426, 456/457, MICRO 400, 403, 407, 410, 413, PL PA 456.

⁴Select from the following: PHYS 207/208 or 122/221/223.