Molecular & Medical Microbiology, Bachelor of Science College of Biological Sciences
The department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics offers the major in Molecular & Medical Microbiology.
Microbiology is the branch of biology that deals with bacteria, yeasts and other fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. These microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and play a crucial role in areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, ecology, medicine, and veterinary science. The field of microbiology contributes to areas of fundamental inquiry such as biochemistry, cell biology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, pathogenesis, and physiology. The ease and power of simultaneous genetic and biochemical analysis of microbes led to the emergence of the new disciplines of molecular biology & molecular genetics, and spawned the new industry of biotechnology.
The Program
The Molecular & Medical Microbiology Undergraduate Program offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in the College of Biological Sciences. Both degrees are designed to provide students with quantitative skills and knowledge across the breadth of Biological Sciences, while maintaining a focus on the biology of microorganisms. The B.S. degree offers more training in mathematics, biochemistry and laboratory methodology; the A.B. degree incorporates more exposure to the liberal arts. The choice of a major program and its suitability for particular career options should be discussed with a Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) advisor.
Career Alternatives
A bachelor's degree in Molecular & Medical Microbiology serves as the foundation for advanced study in microbiology, entry into the professional schools of all health sciences, or immediate employment in biotechnology, health care and food science industries.
Related Courses
The offerings of the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics are augmented by courses in Food Science & Technology (FST); Medical Microbiology (MMI); Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB); Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology (PMI); Plant Pathology (PLP); and Soil Science (SSC).
Please note MIC courses are in the process of transitioning to MMG courses.
Faculty of the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics also teach or participate in the following courses: BIS 002A, BIS 101, BIS 104 and BIS 181.
Faculty Advisor
Miriam Markum, Ph.D.
Honors & Honors Program
Miriam Markum, Ph.D.
Teaching Credential Subject Representative
Miriam Markum, Ph.D.; see the Teaching Credential/M.A. Program.
Advising
Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) in 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall (formerly Sciences Laboratory Building); 530-752-0410.
Graduate Study
The Graduate Group in Microbiology offers programs of study and research leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
Strong preference is given to doctoral applicants. The group offers study in general microbiology, microbial physiology, microbial genetics, molecular mechanisms of microbial regulation, molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, immunology, virology, and recombinant DNA technology. For information on the graduate study and undergraduate preparation for the program contact a graduate advisor or the Chairperson of the Group.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Molecular & Medical Microbiology Bachelor of Science is 105.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | 18 | |
| Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution and Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Cell Biology & Physiology | ||
| Chemistry | 21-27 | |
Choose the 002 series or 004 series: 1 | ||
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry and General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering | ||
Choose the 008 series or 118 series: 2 | ||
| Organic Chemistry: Brief Course and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | ||
| Mathematics | 8-12 | |
Choose the 017 series or 021 series: 3 | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
OR | ||
| Calculus and Calculus and Calculus (Recommended) | ||
| Physics | 12 | |
| General Physics and General Physics and General Physics | ||
| Microbiology | 1 | |
| Introduction to Research | ||
or MIC 191 | Introduction to Research for Advanced Undergraduates | |
| Subtotal | 60-70 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | ||
| BIS 101 | Genes & Gene Expression | 4 |
| BIS 105 | Biomolecules & Metabolism | 3-6 |
| or BIS 102 & BIS 103 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules and Bioenergetics & Metabolism | |
| Statistics | ||
| STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Microbiology | ||
| MIC 102 | Introductory Microbiology | 3 |
| MIC 104L | General Microbiology Laboratory | 3 |
| MIC 105 | Microbial Diversity | 3 |
| MIC 105L | Microbial Diversity Laboratory | 3 |
| MMG 111 | Human Microbiology | 3 |
| or MIC 111 DISCONTINUED | ||
| Areas of Study | ||
| Choose at least one course from each of the areas of study below: | 9-10 | |
| 1. Molecular Microbiology | ||
| Genomes of Pathogenic Bacteria (Discontinued) | ||
| Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis | ||
or MIC 115 DISCONTINUED | ||
MMG 170 | ||
or MIC 170 DISCONTINUED | ||
| 2. Virology | ||
| General Virology | ||
or MIC 162 DISCONTINUED | ||
| Biology of Animal Viruses | ||
| 3. Immunology | ||
| Human Immunology | ||
or MMI 188B | Human Immunology | |
| Fundamentals of Immunology | ||
| Choose additional course work from the list below, to achieve a total of 45 or more units. Upper division Microbiology courses not used in satisfaction of any other requirement: | ||
| Comparative Genomics | ||
| Functional Genomics | ||
| Food Microbiology | ||
| Advanced Molecular Biology | ||
| Principles of Genomics | ||
MIC 117 | (Discontinued) | |
| Microbial Ecology | ||
MMG 172 | ||
or MIC 172 DISCONTINUED | ||
MMG 175 | ||
or MIC 175 DISCONTINUED | ||
| Fungal Biology & Disease | ||
| Soil Microbiology | ||
| Or upper division courses in related fields, relevant to the student’s interest and chosen in consultation with the advisor. | ||
| No more than 3 units of variable-unit courses (numbered 192, 198, or 199) may be used for credit in this category. | ||
| Note: Although a course may be listed in more than one category, that course may satisfy only one requirement in the entire major. | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 45 | |
| Total Units | 105-115 | |