BA & BS Major Requirements and Course Descriptions

Microbiology examines the nature and activities of microorganisms, the distinctive microscopic life forms that recycle the elements in aquatic, atmospheric, and soil environments. The field has applications for fields of industry, agriculture, and medicine. As remarkably useful model systems for research, microorganisms play a key role in the development of modern biology. This program prepares students for graduate study or professional work in microbiology.

Degree Requirements
To complete the degree, students must complete 120 credits, including 66 credits in the major.

Introductory courses in biology, chemistry, math, and physics are required. In addition, students complete a biochemistry course, a genetics course, MicB 3301-Biology and of Microorganisms, four microbiology electives, and two advanced laboratory courses.

Microbiology Major

Final Project
Students must complete 6 credits of MicB 4993--Directed Studies or MicB 4994--Directed Research.

Internships are not required but are available. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services in CBS or the
University's Office of Special Learning Opportunities (OSLO).

This program prepares students for work as practicing microbiologists or for graduate study.

The field of microbiology embraces many areas of fundamental and applied research. These include the basic role of microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and basic biological mechanisms involving microorganisms such as DNA replication or regulation of protein synthesis. Microbiologists study fundamental issues of human and animal diseases such as the mechanisms of viral and bacteriological infection, immunity, autoimmune disease, and viral-induced cancer

Areas of agriculural research include fungal and bacterial symbionts essential for maximum growth of organisms required for natural soil fertility. Microbiologists also work in industrial and pharmaceutical fields involving production and discovery of new antibiotics; manufacture of cheese, beer, wine, or other foods; pasteurization in canning and food processing; and even decontamination of space vehicles.

Degree Requirements

MicB 3301 - Biology of Microorganisms
Semester Prerequisites: =Biol 3301; Biol 1002 or 1009, Chem 2302
Credits: 5
Prof:
Course Description: Taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathogenesis, immunology, ecology of microbes. Molecular structure in relation to bacterial function and disease. Includes lab.

MicB 4111 - Microbial Physiology and Diversity
Semester Prerequisites: MicB/VPB 2022 or Biol/MicB/VPB 2032 or Biol/MicB 3301, Biol/BioC 3021 or BioC 4331, 3 cr genetics
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Structural and functional organization of Bacteria and Archaea. Energy metabolism utlizing light, inorganic and organic chemicals. Cell morphologies, roles and assembly of surface structures. Growth and survival mechanisms in various extreme environments. Adaptation to changing conditions by development of specialized cells and structures, and altering metabolic patterns.

MicB 4121 - Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
Semester Prerequisites: =Soil 4121; Biol/MicB 3301
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Evolution and structure of microbial communities; population interaction within ecosystems; quantitative and habitat ecology; biogeochemical cycling; molecular microbial ecology, gene transfer in the environment; molecular phylogeny of microorganisms. Application of microbes in agriculture; production of commodity chemicals, drugs, and other high-value products.

MicB 4131 - Immunology
Semester Prerequisites: MicB/VPB 2022 or Biol/MicB/VPB 2032 or Biol/MicB 3301; Biol/BioC 3021 or BioC 4331
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Molecular, genetic, and cellular bases for humoral and cell-mediated immunity; innate immunity; antigen recognition by B and T lymphocytes; interactions between lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system; cytokines; immunoregulation; key aspects of clinical immunology.

MicB 4141/4171 - Biology, Genetics and Pathogenesis of Viruses
Semester Prerequisites: Biol 4003, Biol 4004 or Biol/MicB 3301
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Structure, composition and properties of bacterial, plant and animal viruses; interaction with cells; effects on host cell metabolism; molecular biology of virus replication and genetics; techniques for studying virus properties; viral pathogenesis and tumorigenesis.

MicB 4151 - Molecular and Genetic Basees for Microbial Diseases
Semester Prerequisites: Biol/MicB 3301 or equiv, Biol/BioC 3021 or BioC 4331, GCB 3022 or Biol 4003 recommended
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Genetic basis of microbial pathogenesis. Impact of gene transfer and regulation on the evolution of microbial pathogens and on their capacity to colonize and induce disease. Biochemical and cellular interactions between bacteria and their human hosts.

MicB 4161 - Eukaryotic Microbiology
Semester Prerequisites: MicB 3301, GCD 3022
Credits: 3
Prof: Dana Davis
Course Description: Eukaryotic Microbiology will cover topics in eukaryotic microbiology that provide insights into the cell biology of higher eukaryotes, animal and plant pathogenesis, evolution, and industrial microbiology. Model eukaryotic organisms include: Tetrahymena, Chlamydomons, Paramecium, Toxoplasma, Aspergillus, and Neurospora.

MicB 4215 - Advanced Laboratorty: Microbial Physiology and Diversity
Semester Prerequisites: 4111 or &4111
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Isolation and cultivation of a wide variety of bacteria. Physiological experiments on selected groups.

MicB 4235 - Advanced Laboratory: Virology, Immunology and Microbial Genetics
Semester Prerequisites: Biol/BioC 3021 or equiv, Biol/MicB 3301, two of the following MicB 4131, 4141, 4151
Credits: 3
Prof:
Course Description: Techniques and experimental methods in microbial genetics, immunology and virology used to study microbes and their interactions with a host.

MicB 4994 - Directed Research
Semester Prerequisites: Cr ar; Biol/MicB 3301, #, 7 cr max of MicB 4993 and/or 4994 may count toward major requirements
Credits: 1-7
Prof:
Course Description: Lab or field investigation of selected areas of research.

BioC 5352 - Applied Microbial Biochemistry
BioC 5353 - Microbial Biochemistry & Biotechnology II
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