Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including the bacteria, yeasts, molds, viruses, protozoa and other microscopic parasites. Two options are available. The microbiology degree emphasizes microbial structure, function, and interactions and relationships with humans. The microbial ecology option emphasizes microbial structure, function, and interactions and relationships with the environment and other organisms including higher plants and animals.

A B.S. in microbiology is offered as a general degree or with an option in microbial ecology. Initial work provides the student with a working knowledge of the basic principles of the physical and biological sciences and mathematics. The remaining study is devoted to a more intense and broadened training in microbiology and allied fields, and may include independent study which offers the student an opportunity to prepare for graduate work.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to the graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
In addition to the General Education requirements, the following courses must be completed for the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology: Thirty two or more credits (300 level or above) in biology, biochemistry and microbiology including MICB 300 301, 404, 410, 412, 420, and 450; four laboratory courses selected from MICB 309, 405, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 451, 497 (minimum of 3 credits), or BIOL 401; BIOC 380 or 481 482.

MATH 117, 121, 150; BIOL 221, 223; CHEM 161N 162N, 221 222, 223 224, 341; PHYS 121N 122N also are required.

Upper-Division Writing Expectation: To meet the Upper-Division Writing Expectations of the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, students must successfully complete MICB 418, 419, 420 or 421 or complete three courses selected from MICB 410, 411, 412, or 450.

Microbial Ecology Option: Within the microbial ecology option, a student may approach his or her studies from either a molecular/physiological emphasis or an ecological emphasis.

In addition to the General Education requirements and the Upper-Division Writing Expectation described above, the following must be completed for the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with an option in microbial ecology: Thirty-two or more credits (300-level or above) in biology, biochemistry, microbiology including MICB 300-301, 404, 418, 450, 495 (Microbial Ecology I and II and Microbial Diversity), and three laboratory courses selected from MICB 495 (Microbial Ecology Laboratory I and/or II), MICB 451, and BIOL 341.

MATH 150 (or 152), 241; BIOL 103N/104N, BIOL 221, 223, 340; CHEM 161N/162N (or 151N/152N/154N); PHYS 121N are required, also. In addition, students must complete the requirements in one of the emphases below.

Molecular/Physiological emphasis (required courses). BIOC 481/482 (or 380); CHEM 221/222, 223/224. Additionally, at least 12 credits (including three in MICB) must be taken from the following: BIOL 341, 366, 400, 401, 413, 440, 453, 454, 455; CHEM 341; CS 131; FOR 210; GEOL 301, 382; MATH 153, 251, 444, 447; MICB 312, 410, 420, 451, 497.

Ecological emphasis (required courses). BIOL 366; BIOC 380; MATH 444; FOR 210. Additionally, at least 12 credits (including three in MICB) must be taken from the following: BIOL 341, 400, 401, 413, 440, 453, 454, 455; CHEM 341; CS 131; GEOL 301, 382; MATH 153, 251, 447; MICB 312, 410, 420, 451, 497.

Suggested Course of Study back to top

*Laboratory requirement: MICB 301 plus four (4) other labs.
**Need 39 upper-division credits.

Requirements for a Minor back to top

To earn a minor in microbiology, the student must complete MICB 300 301, 302 or 412 413, 410-411 and eight credits selected from MICB 404, 416, 420 421, 450 451; BIOL 400, 401.

Courses

U=for undergraduate credit only, UG=for undergraduate or graduate credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.

U 105N Elementary Microbiology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MICB 107N recommended. Same as BIOL 105N. The structure, function and classification of bacteria, molds, yeasts, rickettsiae and viruses, and their practical significance to agriculture, food, drug, fermentation and other industries. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

U 106N Elementary Medical Microbiology 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as BIOL 106N. Infectious diseases, including concepts of virulence, resistance, prevention and control of microbial diseases in the individual and in the community. If laboratory experience is desired, the student may enroll concurrently in MICB 107N. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

U 107N Elementary Microbiology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 105N or 106N. Same as BIOL 107N. Observation of live microorganisms, their characteristics and activities. Experience with microbiological techniques. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

UG 300 General Microbiology 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., CHEM 161N, 162N; prereq. or coreq., CHEM 221, BIOL 221. Microbial structure and function, growth and reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics, environmental factors, control of microorganisms and sterility, antimicrobial agents, microbial diversity.

UG 301 General Microbiology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 300. Basic microbiology procedures and techniques.

UG 302 Medical Microbiology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Microbial structure and functions, pathogenic microorganisms, virology, immunology. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

U 309 Hematology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior level or consent of instr., MICB 300. Study of blood and diseases of the circulatory system. Blood banking and serology.

UG 404 Microbial Genetics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 300 and 301. The molecular genetics of prokaryotic organisms including: structure and replication of the prokaryotic chromosome; gene expression; mutagenesis and DNA repair; plasmids and other tools of genetic engineering; transmission of genetic material and recombination in prokaryotes; regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; recombinant DNA and biotechnology.

UG 405 Molecular Genetics Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 404. Experiments in molecular genetics: mutagenesis, recombination, recombinant DNA.

UG 406 Clinical Diagnosis 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 412 413. Principles of blood chemistry, urinalysis, hematology and other clinical parameters of disease and health.

UG 407 Clinical Diagnosis Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 406, 412 413. Clinical diagnostic methods.

U 408 Seminar 1 cr. (R 3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., senior standing in natural sciences. Recent topics in microbiology and related subjects.

UG 410 Immunology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., MICB 300 301. Modern concepts and methods in immunology.

UG 411 Immunology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MICB 410. Modern techniques for analysis of immune responses.

UG 412 Medical Bacteriology and Mycology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MICB 300, 301. A study of the pathogenic bacteria and fungi and the diseases they produce.

UG 413 Medical Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 412. Laboratory study of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

UG 414 Food and Industrial Microbiology 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., MICB 300 301. Microbial aspects of fermentation, food spoilage and preservation, foodborne illness, and the microbiology of selected industrial processes.

UG 415 Food and Industrial Microbiology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 414. Microbial analyses of foods and beverages with emphasis on foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms. Industrial fermentations.

UG 416 Environmental Microbiology 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., BIOL 105N, 107N or MICB 300 301 or consent of instr. Survey of the microbial ecology of aquatic and terrestrial environments, biogeochemical cycling, water and wastewater treatment, and biodegradation.

UG 417 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory 2 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 416 or consent of instr. Experimental approaches in microbial ecology, characterization of aquatic and terrestrial microorganisms, biodegradation.

UG 418 Fungal Biology 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., BIOL 103-104 and 221-223 or MICB 300 or consent of instr. Same as BIOL 418. Reviews the definition, evolution, genetics, physiology, and ecology of fungi (including organisms in the Chromista), provides overview of all fungal phyla (Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Hyphochytriomycota, Labyrinthulomycota, Oomycota), and highlights the importance of fungi to human affairs (food production, fungal pathogens).

UG 419 Diversity of Microorganisms 3 crs. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., BIOL 221, 223. Same as BIOL 419. An inquiry-based, combined lecture and laboratory course. Examination of the diversity of life at the microbial level based on broad concepts and testable hypotheses that are examined in the laboratory using state-of-the-art techniques.

UG 420 Virology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., MICB 410. The general nature of viruses, with emphasis on the molecular biology of animal and human viruses.

UG 421 Virus Pathogenesis and Evolution 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq. or coreq., MICB 420. Research laboratory course providing experience developing and testing scientific hypotheses. Experiments emphasize viral pathogenesis and evolution.

UG 450 Microbial Physiology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., MICB 300 301. Microbial structure and function, physiological diversity, microbial metabolism, role of microbial activity in the environment.

UG 451 Microbial Physiology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., MICB 450. Experimental approaches to analysis of microbial structure, composition and metabolism.

UG 490 Medical Technology Internship 1-16 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr.

UG 495 Special Topics 1 10 cr. (R 10) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of new courses, experimental offerings of visiting professors, or one time offerings of current topics.

U 497 Advanced Undergraduate Research 1 10 cr. (R 10) Offered every term. Prereq., MICB 300, junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded pass/not pass.

U 499 Undergraduate Thesis 3-6 cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication. Student must give an oral or poster presentation at the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting. Graded pass/not pass.

G 502 Advanced Immunology 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Advanced topics and immunological techniques used in modern immunology.

G 509 Advanced Virology 3 cr. Offered spring add-numbered years. Prereq., MICB 420-421. Students are presented with research papers that have been pivotal to the understanding of important molecular or genetic concepts in virology.

G 520 Medical Parasitology 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOL 400 or equiv. Offered alternate years. Epidemiology, pathology, immunology, diagnosis and treatment of protozoan and helminth parasites of humans. Stresses current advances in parasitology.

G 530 Grant Writing 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Same as BIOC 530. Required course for biochemistry and microbiology graduate students. Students become acquainted with the grant writing process by writing grants that have received University approval for submission based on student research projects.

G 540 Microbial Pathogenesis 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Current concepts in microbial pathogenesis. Focus on microbial virulence factors leading to disease and host responses to infection.

G 570 Introduction to Research 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Required course for biochemistry and microbiology graduate students. Students are acquainted with faculty research projects. Instruction in basic research techniques, research equipment. Introduction to relevant scientific research literature. Six hours in each research laboratory of faculty in biochemistry/microbiology program.

G 580 Training Seminar 1 cr. (R 2) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as BIOC 580. A one semester offering required of all new students.

G 583 Lipids and Membranes 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., CHEM 370 or 372 and BIOC 482 or equiv. Same as BIOC 583. The chemistry and biochemical properties of lipids and their functions in biological systems. The structure and function of biological membranes are emphasized.

G 594 Professional Seminar 1 cr. (R 4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as BIOC 594. Presentation of current research in biochemistry and molecular biology by senior graduate students, faculty, and invited outside speakers.

G 595 Special Topics 1 3 cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.

G 597 Research Variable cr. (R 18) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing, one semester residence.

G 599 Thesis 1 10 cr. (R 10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., masters student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a masters thesis.

G 685 Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 3 cr. (R 3) Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing. Modern molecular biology techniques.

G 686 Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 3 cr. (R 3) Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Modern molecular biology techniques.

G 699 Dissertation 1 10 cr. (R 20) Offered intermittently. Prereq., doctoral student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a doctoral dissertation.