Bachelor of Science in Biology: Concentration in Microbiology
Program Overview
Bachelor of Science in Biology: Concentration in Microbiology
The Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microbiology, including general microbiology and medical microbiology. This program prepares students for careers in research, industry, public health, clinical laboratory, or state and federal service, as well as for graduate study in microbiology.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Understand the process of science and design an experiment with appropriate control groups to test a hypothesis.
- Apply quantitative reasoning to interpret data and determine if the results of an experiment support or reject a hypothesis.
- Analyze the relationship between science and society, including the costs and benefits of recent scientific and technological developments.
- Explain the role of variation between individuals in the processes of natural selection and evolution.
- Describe the relationship between structure and function in biological systems.
- Understand the mechanisms of information flow in classical and molecular genetics and predict the outcomes of crosses.
- Explain how a carbon molecule flows through a biological process or system.
- Predict the consequences of a change in one aspect of a biological or complex system on other aspects of the system.
General Information and Requirements
- Candidates entering the bachelor's program in biology should have completed three years of high school mathematics and one year of high school chemistry.
- Students must consult with a biology advisor to plan a program of study.
- To remain enrolled in a biology course, students must provide transcripts demonstrating completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology requires a minimum of 60 units. The program includes lower-division and upper-division requirements.
Lower-Division Requirements (34-37 units)
- BIOL 230: Introductory Biology I (5 units)
- BIOL 231: Advising for Success as a Biology Major (1 unit)
- BIOL 240: Introductory Biology II (5 units)
- CHEM 115: General Chemistry I (4 units)
- Select one organic chemistry sequence (3-6 units)
- CHEM 215: General Chemistry II (4 units)
- MATH 226: Calculus I (4 units)
- PHYS 111 and PHYS 112: General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory (4 units)
- PHYS 121 and PHYS 122: General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory (4 units)
Upper-Division Requirements (15 units)
- BIOL 337: Evolution (3 units)
- BIOL 355: Genetics (3 units)
- BIOL 401 and BIOL 402GW: General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory - GWAR (6 units)
- Select one (3 units)
- CHEM 349: General Biochemistry 1
- CHEM 340: Biochemistry I
Upper-Division Electives (11 units)
Select 11 units from the following courses, including at least two laboratory courses:
- BIOL 420: General Virology 2 (3 units)
- BIOL 425: Emerging Diseases (3 units)
- BIOL 430: Medical Microbiology 1 (3 units)
- BIOL 435: Immunology 1 (3 units)
- BIOL 442: Microbial Physiology (3 units)
- BIOL 446: Microbial Genomics (4 units)
- BIOL 453: General Parasitology 2 (3 units)
- BIOL 490: Ecology of Infectious Diseases (4 units)
- BIOL 644: LEADerS Service Learning Course (4 units)
- BIOL 638: Bioinformatics and Sequence Analysis (4 units)
- Select two laboratory courses:
- BIOL 431: Medical Microbiology Laboratory 2
- BIOL 436: Immunology Laboratory 2
- BIOL 443: Microbial Physiology Laboratory
- BIOL 454: Parasitology Laboratory 2
- BIOL 625: Hematology 1
- BIOL 699: Independent Study in Biology
- CHEM 343: Biochemistry I Laboratory 2
- CHEM 336: Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
General Education Requirements
The program meets certain General Education requirements, including:
- Area B2 (Life Science) satisfied upon completion of BIOL 240
- Upper-Division General Education: Physical, and Life Sciences (UDB) satisfied upon completion of BIOL 355
Roadmaps
Roadmaps for first-time students and transfer students are available to guide students in completing the program in a timely manner.
Transfer Student Information
For students transferring from a California Community College with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in Biology, this program is an approved pathway. Students should consult with a biology advisor to plan their program of study and ensure they meet all requirements for graduation.