Microbiology BS
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology equips you with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for careers in biotechnology, research, clinical diagnostics, public health, and more. You can choose from two options:
General microbiology: Prepares you for careers in biotechnology, environmental or industrial microbiology, pharmaceutical and biomedical research, or graduate studies.
Medical microbiology: Prepares you for clinical internships and careers as a licensed clinical laboratory scientist or public health microbiologist.
Through your coursework and lab experience, you develop a strong understanding of cell structure, metabolism, microbial evolution, and the interactions between microbes, humans, and the environment. You gain technical skills using current lab technologies, apply the scientific method to real-world questions, and learn to communicate your findings effectively through writing and presentations.
Graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce or pursue advanced degrees in the biological sciences.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
Course Requirements for the Major: 78 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division | ||
| BIOL 109 | The Biological University Experience | 1 |
| BIOL 161 | Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 162 | Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 163 | Principles of Physiology and Development | 4 |
| CHEM 108 | Organic Chemistry for Applied Sciences 1 | 4 |
| or CHEM 270 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| ENVL 105W | Environmental Literacy (W) | 3 |
| or ENVL 105 | Environmental Literacy | |
| PHYS 202A | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 202B | General Physics II | 4 |
| Select four units from the following: 2 | 4 | |
| Introduction to Statistics and Introduction to R | ||
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus | ||
| Upper Division 3 | ||
| BIOL 360 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 371W | Microbiology (W) | 4 |
| Select four-eight units from the following: 4 | 4-8 | |
| Introductory Biochemistry and Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Biochemistry I and Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 22-26 | |
| Total Units | 78 | |
- 1
Students should take CHEM 270 if their post-secondary education plans require it. Consult with an advisor before selecting a lower division organic chemistry course.
- 2
MATH 105 and MATH 130 are recommended for most students. Students who need calculus may take MATH 109 or MATH 120.
- 3
Microbiology majors are expected to have completed BIOL 109, BIOL 161, BIOL 162, BIOL 163, CHEM 111, and CHEM 112 before beginning their upper-division requirements.
- 4
Students should take CHEM 370/CHEM 370L and CHEM 451/CHEM 453L if their post-secondary education plans require it. If you take CHEM 370/CHEM 370L and CHEM 451/CHEM 453L (8 units) instead of CHEM 350/CHEM 350L (4 units), choose sufficient units in the options to ensure 78 units in the major. Consult with an advisor before selecting upper division Chemistry (CHEM) courses.
Major Option Course Requirements
Select at least one of the following options to complete the major course requirements.
The Option in General Microbiology: 22-26 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 402 | Microbial Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 412W | Bacterial Physiology (W) | 4 |
| Select 14-18 units from the following selections 1 | 14-18 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods I | ||
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Medical Bacteriology (W) | ||
| Microbial Genetics | ||
| General Virology | ||
Select one to seven units from the following: | ||
| Special Problems 2 | ||
Any 400-level Biological Sciences (BIOL) courses. | ||
| Total Units | 22-26 | |
- 1
Choose sufficient units to ensure at least 78 units in the major. If you choose to take CHEM 370/CHEM 370L and CHEM 451/CHEM 453L (8 units) instead of CHEM 350/CHEM 350L (4 units), you need 14 units. Consult with an advisor before selecting upper division Chemistry (CHEM) courses.
- 2
A maximum of three units may be credited toward the major.
The Option in Medical Microbiology: 22-26 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 462 | Hematology | 3 |
| BIOL 466 | Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL 470W | Medical Bacteriology (W) | 5 |
| CHEM 320 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| Select 6-10 units from the following: 1 | 6-10 | |
| Clin Laboratory Observation | ||
| Special Problems 2 | ||
Any 400-level Biological Sciences (BIOL) courses. | ||
| Total Units | 22-26 | |
- 1
Choose sufficient units to ensure at least 78 units in the major. If you choose to take CHEM 370/CHEM 370L and CHEM 451/CHEM 453L (8 units) instead of CHEM 108 and CHEM 350/CHEM 350L (4 units), you need six units. Consult with an advisor before selecting upper division Chemistry (CHEM) courses.
- 2
A maximum of three units may be credited toward the major.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).
- BIOL 360 is an approved major course substitution for Upper Division Physical and Biological Sciences (UD-5).
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
- Take one Writing (W) course.
- Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
- Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
- Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
Major-Designated Courses
Writing (W) Course
- BIOL 371W Microbiology (W)
GWAR (GW) Course
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
- Demonstrate knowledge of cell structure and metabolism.
- Demonstrate knowledge of evolutionary forces and their consequences.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how microorganisms interact with their environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the interaction between humans and microorganisms.
- Describe and use new and existing methods and technologies in and out of the laboratory setting.
- Formally communicate the results of biological investigations using both oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding and ability to use the scientific method, including observation, hypotheses testing, data collection, and analysis.