Microbiology

  • Sample Four-Year Curriculum* 

    Freshman Year

    First Semester Second Semester
    Principles of Chemistry I 004:011 (CHEM:1110) (4) Principles of Biology I 002:010 (BIOL:1402) (4)
    Mathematics*** Principles of Chemistry II 004:012
    CHEM:1120) (4)

    Sophomore Year

    First Semester Second Semester
    Principles of Biology II 002:011 (BIOL:1502) (4) Organic Chemistry II 004:122 (CHEM:2220) (3)
    Organic Chemistry I 004:121
    (CHEM:2210) (3)    		 Organic Chemistry Lab 004:141
    (CHEM:2410) (3)
      General Microbiology 061:157
    (MICR:2157) (5)

     Junior Year

    First Semester Second Semester
    College Physics I 029:111 (PHYS:1511) (4) College Physics II 029:012 (PHYS:1512) (4)
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I 099:120 (BIOC:3120) (3) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II 099:130 (BIOC:3130) (3)
    Advanced Microbiology (3-4) Advanced Microbiology (3-4)

    Senior Year

    First Semester Second Semester
    Advanced Microbiology (3-4) Advanced Microbiology (3-5) 


    * This sample curriculum shows only course requirements specific to the Microbiology major. Students must fit in General Education program requirements as mandated by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This sample curriculum also shows only one of several possible ways of arranging Microbiology course work. Consult an advisor for information about other possible arrangements of courses. 

    ** Chemistry 004:011 (CHEM:1110) requires extensive use of algebra. Therefore, this course can be taken only if the student has completed Basic Algebra II (22M:002 [MATH:0200]) or if the student's Math Placement Test 2 (MPT-2) and Math ACT scores are, respectively, 20 or higher and 24 or higher. Students who obtain a low score should take a course in mathematics and consider taking Chemistry 004:007 (CHEM:1070) before attempting Chemistry 004:011 (CHEM:1110).

    *** Microbiology students must complete a semester of college calculus or biostatistics. Whether they begin with a calculus or biostatistics course or begin by taking preparatory courses depends upon the student's math placement score. See the next section for placement recommendations.

    Math Placement Recommendations

    Math placement recommendations based on student's MPT-2 score

     MPT-2 score Math course recommended 
     ≤ 12  22M:002 (MATH:0200)
     13 - 16  22M:015 (MATH:1440) or 171:161 (BIOS:5110) or 22S:101 (STAT:3510)
     17 - 21  22M:015 (MATH:1440) or 22M:016 (MATH:1460)
    ≥ 22  22M:016 (MATH:1460), 22M:025 (MATH:1850), or 22M:031 (MATH:1550)

    Math placement recommendations based on MPT-3 scores for students with no Advanced Placement Program (APP) credit for calculus

    MPT-3 score  Math course recommended 
    ≤ 8 22M:015 (MATH:1440) 
    9 - 12 22M:016 (MATH:1460), 22M:025 (MATH:1850), or 22M:031 (MATH:1550)
     ≥ 13       22M:026 (MATH:1860)

    Math placement recommendations based on MPT-3 score for students with Advanced Placement Program (APP) AB credit for calculus

    MPT-3 score Math course recommended 
     ≤ 8*  22M:016 (MATH:1460), 22M:025 (MATH:1850), or 22M:031 (MATH:1550)
    9 - 12  22M:026 (MATH:1860)
     ≥ 13  22M:026 (MATH:1860)

    *A score < 8 suggests a poor background in calculus, but the student may do well in a calculus course if the student's Math ACT score and class rank are high.

    Note:

    Transfer students who have not satisfied the Department of Microbiology's mathematics requirement should be advised to take the Math Placement examination to facilitate their placement in the appropriate math course(s). Students who have never gone beyond high school trigonometry should take the MPT-2 test; those who have never gone beyond high school calculus should take the MPT-3 test.

    Microbiology Courses for Undergraduates

    Most courses offered by the Department of Microbiology are offered only once per year. Courses below are grouped according to the semester(s) when they are available.

    Courses Offered Only in Fall Semester

    061:147 (MICR:3147) Survey of Immunology
    3 s.h.
    Major features of the evolutionary, ontogenic, and comparative development of innate and adaptive immune systems and their functions at the cellular and molecular levels.
    Prerequisites: 002:010 (BIOL:1402) and 002:011 (BIOL:1502).

    061:168 (MICR:3168) Introduction to Animal Viruses
    3 s.h.
    Basic physical, chemical, biological properties of animal viruses; association with human disease.
    Requirement: 061:157 (MICR:2157) with a grade of C or higher.

    061:170 (MICR:3170) Microbial Genetics
    3 s.h.
    Genetics of bacteria, bacteriophages; laboratory supplement in 061:175.
    Requirement: 002:128 (BIOL:2512) or 061:157 (MICR:2157) with a grade of C or higher.

    061:178 (MICR:3178) Animal Viruses Laboratory
    2 s.h.Basic techniques and approaches in animal virology, including virus detection, virus growth measurement, and virus genetics.
    Requirement: 061:157 (MICR:2157) with a grade of C or higher. Corequisite: 061:168 (MICR:3168).

     061:179 (MICR:3179) Bacterial Diversity
    3 s.h. without lab, 5 s.h. with lab
    Analysis of bacteria from varied habitats; emphasis on the physiological basis and molecular characteristics of diversity.
    Prerequisite: 061:157 (MICR:2157). Corequisite: 061:170. Recommended: 099:120 (BIOC:3120) or 061:160 (MICR:3160) with a grade of C or higher.

    Analysis of bacteria from varied habitats; emphasis on the physiological basis and molecular characteristics of diversity.Prerequisite: 061:157 (MICR:2157). Corequisite: 061:170. Recommended: 099:120 (BIOC:3120) or 061:160 (MICR:3160) with a grade of C or higher.

    Courses Offered Only in Spring Semester

    061:157 (MICR:2157) General Microbiology
    5 s.h.
    Principles of microbial diversity, microbial genetics, physiology and metabolism, pathogenic microbiology, virology, immunology, industrial and environmental microbiology; laboratory emphasis on basic techniques.
    Prerequisite: 002:010 (BIOL:1402).

    061:159 (MICR:3159) Pathogenic Bacteriology
    5 s.h.
    Pathogenic bacteria, with emphasis on mechanisms of pathogenicity, laboratory methods for isolation, identification; laboratory emphasis on advanced methods for study of pathogenic bacteria.
    Requirement: 061:157 (MICR:2157) with a grade of C or higher.

    061:160 (MICR:3160) Microbial Physiology
    3 s.h.
    Bacterial genomes, cell structure, growth, energy metabolism, biosynthesis, mechanisms of signal transduction and regulation. Requirement: 061:157 (MICR:2157) with a grade of C or higher; a biochemistry course.

    061:175 (MICR:3175) Microbial Genetics Laboratory
    3 s.h.
    Basic principles of genetic analysis in bacteria and bacteriophage. Prerequisite: 061:170 (MICR:3170).

    Courses Offered Only in Fall or Spring

    061:163 (MICR:4163) Seminar Microbiology
    2 s.h.     
    Current topics in microbiology, immunology. Requirement: 061:157 (MICR:2157) with a grade of C or higher. 

    Courses Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters

    061:161 (MICR:4161) Undergraduate Research in Microbiology
    arr.     
    Experimental research under faculty supervision. May be repeated. Prerequisite: 002:010 (BIOL:1402).

    061:171 (MICR:4171) Honors Microbiology
    arr.
    Experimental research under faculty supervision. May be repeated. Junior or senior standing and grade point average of at least 3.33 required. Prerequisite: 002:010 (BIOL:1402).

    061:218 (MICR:5218) Microscopy for Biomedical Research
    3 s.h.
    Preparation, analysis of biomedical projects by light and electron microscopy. Prerequisite: 002:114 (BIOL:2723).

    061:220 (MICR:5220) Advanced Microscopy for Biomedical Research
    arr.
    Technically advanced microscopy methods for research; individualized laboratory experience with opportunity to explore application of microscopy methods. Requirement: introductory EM course.

    Note:

    Senior undergraduate majors who have excelled in their undergraduate courses may consult with their advisor about taking graduate level courses.