Microbiology Major

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Program Contact/Coordinator
Volker Brözel, Department Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-6141
E-mail: biomicro@abs.sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/biomicro
For additional information click here.

Program Information
The program provides students with a broad background in all facets of microbiology, preparing them to pursue careers in diagnostic and research laboratories, public health, agriculture, food industry, pharmaceutical companies, academia, governmental agencies, and the private sector. With the recommended electives, the graduate is prepared to pursue health-related professional or graduate education for advanced training. The goal is to provide a sound but varied educational experience.

Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in the major courses.

Course Delivery Format
Program coursework is on-campus, in classrooms and laboratories, as well as field-based settings. Additional coursework is available at off-campus attendance centers. Limited coursework is available online.

Requirements for Microbiology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 33-35

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: Choose A, B, C, or D Credits: 4-6
A.
MATH 102
and
MATH 120
¹
B.
MATH 115

C.
MATH 121-121L

D.
MATH 123
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 151-151L
and
BIOL 153-153L
Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar:
BIOL 109-109L**
Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility
Credits: 3

Major Requirements: 67-74

BIOL 202-202L - Genetics and Organismal Biology and Lab Credits: 4
BIOL 204-204L - Genetics and Cellular Biology and Lab (COM) Credits: 3, 1
MICR 233-233L - Introductory Microbiology and Lab Credits: 4
BIOL 290 - Seminar Credits: 1
or MICR 290 - Seminar Credits: 1
MICR 332 - Microbial Physiology Credits: 2
MICR 332L - Microbial Physiology Lab Credits: 2
MICR 439 - Medical and Veterinary Immunology Credits: 3
MICR 436 - Molecular and Microbial Genetics Credits: 4

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Choose at least two courses from the following:

MICR 414-414L/514-514L - Anaerobic Microbiology and Lab Credits: 3
MICR 450 - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Credits: 3
MICR 421-421L/521-521L - Soil Microbiology and Lab Credits: 3
MICR 310-310L - Environmental Microbiology and Lab Credits: 4
MICR 311-311L - Food Microbiology and Lab Credits: 4

Infectious Disease

Choose at least two courses from the following:

BIOL 467-467L/567-567L - Parasitology and Lab (COM) Credits: 3
MICR 424-524 - Medical and Veterinary Virology Credits: 3
MICR 433-533 - Medical Microbiology (COM) Credits: 3
MICR 440L - Infectious Disease Lab Credits: 3

Electives: 6-15

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

¹Students selecting this option who plan to enter professional or graduate degree programs should also take MATH 121 or 123 and 125.
²PHYS 101-101L is not sufficient for students planning to enter professional or graduate degree programs.
³Pre-professional students should consult their advisor before selecting an option.

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.