Microbiology (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Contact/Coordinator

Volker Brözel, Department Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-6141

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Microbiology major, students will:

demonstrate understanding and application of evolution; biological structure and function; biological and biochemical pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and biological systems.
apply the process of science.
demonstrate understanding of and application of quantitative reasoning; information flow, exchange, and storage in microorganisms; relationship between science and society.
demonstrate knowledge on how microorganisms interact with and impact their environment and the interaction between microorganisms and humans, animals and plants.
describe and use new and existing methods and technologies in and out of the laboratory setting.
tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science.
communicate and collaborate with other disciplines.

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 Natural Sciences

System General Education Requirements

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 114
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

Department of Biology and Microbiology Requirements

25 semester credits must be upper division (300 and above), with the exception that MATH 125 and 225, Calculus II and III, may be counted as five credits toward the total.
Students must complete a minimum of 33 credits from the natural sciences. Refer to departments offering the degree for specific course listings.

Major Requirements

BIOL 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 2
BIOL 202-202L - Genetics and Organismal Biology and Lab Credits: 3, 1
BIOL 204-204L - Genetics and Cellular Biology and Lab (COM) Credits: 3, 1
BIOL 290 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1
or MICR 290 - Seminar Credits: 1
BIOL 383 - Bioethics (COM) Credits: 4
MICR 233-233L - Introductory Microbiology and Lab Credits: 4
MICR 332 - Microbial Physiology Credits: 2
MICR 332L - Microbial Physiology Lab Credits: 2
MICR 439-539 - Medical and Veterinary Immunology Credits: 3
MICR 448 - Molecular and Microbial Genetics Credits: 4

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Select at least two courses from the following. Credits: 6-8

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

Select at least two courses from the following. Credits: 6

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

Capstone and Advanced Writing

ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) Credits: 3 (Section: Biology & Microbiology)
MICR 490-590 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1-6 (2 credits required)

Chemistry

CHEM 112-112L - General Chemistry I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 114-114L - General Chemistry II and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 326-326L - Organic Chemistry I and Lab (COM) Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 328-328L - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (COM) Credits: 3, 1
CHEM 464 - Biochemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 466 - Laboratory Methods- Biochemistry Credits: 1

Physics

Mathematics

MATH 125 - Calculus II (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 4 ³
or STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3 ³

Electives

Total Required Credits: 120

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.

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences
System General Education Requirements	33-35 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	74-81 Credit Hours
Electives**	4-13 Credit Hours

**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

Microbiology (B.S.)