In Biological Sciences .
Course Offerings
Microbiology is the study of organisms that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye: Bacteria and Archaea, viruses, and unicellular eukaryotes. Microorganisms thrive in every corner of the world, from Antarctic ice (< 0 degrees C) to deep-sea thermal vents (> 100 degrees C); from the gastrointestinal tracts and skin of animals to the root nodules of leguminous plants; from sewage treatment plants to pristine lakes and streams. To study microbiology is to pursue the breadth of biology, as microorganisms provide experimental material for understanding physiology; cell structure and function; biochemistry; molecular biology; photosynthesis; ecology; evolution; genetics; development; and even simple behavioral responses and “memory.” Studies with microorganisms continue to lay the foundation for molecular genetics, recombinant DNA research, biotechnology, environmental sciences, human health and many areas of biochemistry.
The Microbiology concentration provides excellent preparation for graduate study in many areas of biological science, as well as for professional study in medical, veterinary, or dental school. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees can pursue careers in biotechnology or industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology, clinical microbiology, food microbiology, or pharmaceutical microbiology, and can also work as technicians in university, government, industrial, or hospital research laboratories.
All students participating in the concentration must take an Introductory Lecture Course as well as an Introductory Laboratory which provides training in basic laboratory skills used by microbiologists. Students must also take a senior seminar class, to develop skills in reading the primary literature. The additional 7 credit hours of classes that fulfill the concentration requirements reflect current areas of research in microbiology. These offerings include courses in environmental microbiology, microbial physiology, bacterial diversity, bacterial genetics, microbe-host interactions, virology, marine microbiology, advanced laboratory skills, applied microbiology and genomics. The remaining credit requirements can be fulfilled using any of the courses from the approved lists below.