Program Learning Objectives
- Explain fundamental concepts and principles in microbiology and general biology (atom to ecosystem).
- Demonstrate proficiency in common lab and field techniques for microbiology.
- Locate, critically evaluate, and integrate scientific literature findings into the practice of microbiology.
- Assess and analyze experimental data with objectivity.
- Integrate statistics, math, physical sciences and technology to answer microbiological questions.
- Communicate microbiology principles and research findings effectively to diverse audiences.
- Relate ethical, social justice or global perspectives to the study and practice of microbiology.
In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:
- 60 units of upper-division courses
- Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
- 2.0 GPA
- U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)
Note: No Major, Support, or Concentration courses may be selected as credit/no credit.
| MAJOR COURSES | ||
| BIO 150 | Diversity and History of Life | 4 |
| BIO 161 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (B2 & B3) 1 | 4 |
| BIO 263 | Introductory Ecology and Evolution | 4 |
| BIO 351 | Principles of Genetics | 5 |
| BIO 452 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| MCRO 224 | General Microbiology I | 5 |
| MCRO 225 | General Microbiology II | 5 |
| MCRO 424 | Microbial Physiology | 5 |
| BIO 461 | Senior Project - Research Proposal | 2 |
| or BIO 462 | Senior Project Research Experience | |
| Select three courses from the following: | 11-13 | |
| Immunology | ||
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| General Virology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Microbial Ecology | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select from the following: 2,3,4 | 19-21 | |
| Biotechnology | ||
| Applied Biotechnology in Animal Science | ||
| Orientation to Biotechnology | ||
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Gene Expression Laboratory | ||
| Bioconversion | ||
| Metabolism | ||
| Protein Techniques Laboratory | ||
| Microbial Biotechnology | ||
| Food Microbiology | ||
| Quality Assurance and Control of Dairy Products | ||
| Dairy Microbiology | ||
| Elements of Food Processing | ||
| Elements of Food Safety | ||
| Food Quality Assurance | ||
| Fermented Foods | ||
| Food Chemistry | ||
| Food Analysis | ||
| Food Laws and Regulations | ||
| Wine Microbiology | ||
| Food Microbiology | ||
| Medical and Public Health Microbiology | ||
| Zoonoses and Veterinary Public Health Concerns | ||
| Advanced Anatomy and Physiology: Neuroscience | ||
| Advanced Anatomy and Physiology: Endocrinology | ||
| Advanced Anatomy and Physiology: Cardiorespiratory and Renal | ||
| Advanced Anatomy and Physiology: Muscle and Locomotion | ||
| Functional Histology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Hematology | ||
| Parasitology | ||
| Chemical and Biological Warfare | ||
| Chemistry of Drugs and Poisons | ||
| Biochemical Pharmacology | ||
| Functional Anatomy | ||
| Emerging Infectious Diseases | ||
| Public Health Microbiology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Microbial Diversity, Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Evolution | ||
| General Virology | ||
| Microbial Ecology | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Bioinformatics and Data Analysis | ||
| Bioinformatics Applications | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Applied Experimental Design and Regression Models | ||
| Applied Multivariate Statistics | ||
| Survey Sampling and Methodology | ||
| Other Electives for Microbiology Majors | ||
| Animal Parasitology | ||
| Immunology and Diseases of Animals | ||
| Systemic Animal Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Organismal Form and Function | ||
| Research Experience for Undergraduates 3 | ||
| General Entomology | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Principles of Animal Physiology | ||
| Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates 3 | ||
| Gastrointestinal Physiology and Microbiology | ||
| Environmental Physiology | ||
| Undergraduate Laboratory Assistantship 3 | ||
| Senior Project Research Experience 5 | ||
| Honors Research | ||
| Plant Pathology | ||
| Organic Chemistry III and Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Life Sciences III | ||
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Environmental Chemistry: Water Pollution | ||
| Neurochemistry | ||
| Water Chemistry and Water Quality Measurements | ||
| Calculus for the Life Sciences II | ||
| Introduction to Microbiology Research | ||
| Agricultural Entomology | ||
| Biological Control for Pest Management | ||
| SUPPORT COURSES | ||
| CHEM 127 | General Chemistry for Agriculture and Life Science I (B1 & B3) 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 128 | General Chemistry for Agriculture and Life Science II | 4 |
| CHEM 129 | General Chemistry for Agriculture and Life Science III | 4 |
| CHEM 216 | Organic Chemistry I 4 | 5 |
| CHEM 217 & CHEM 220 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory For Life Sciences II 4 | 4 |
| CHEM 314 | Biochemistry: Fundamentals and Applications (Upper-Division B) 1,6 | 5 |
| or CHEM 369 | Biochemical Principles | |
| MATH 161 | Calculus for the Life Sciences I (B4) 1,4 | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 122 | College Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 123 | College Physics III | 4 |
| STAT 218 | Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (GE Electives) 1 | 4 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) | ||
| (See list of GE program requirements below.) | 52 | |
| FREE ELECTIVES | ||
| Free Electives 7 | 10-14 | |
| Up to 6 units of free electives may need to be at the 300-400 level to ensure completion of the required minimum of 60 units of upper-division courses. Consult college advisor for additional information. | ||
| Total units | 180 | |
| 1 | Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement. |
| 2 | Consultation with an advisor is recommended before selecting Electives; bear in mind that selections may impact pursuit of post-baccalaureate studies and/or goals. At least 14-16 units must be upper-division (300-400 level) to ensure completion of the required minimum of 60 units of upper-division courses. |
| 3 | Maximum of 6 units may be applied toward Approved Electives: BIO 200, BIO 300, BIO 400, BIO 450, BIO 485, BIO 495, MSCI 401. |
| 4 | Students planning to attend graduate or professional schools are strongly advised to meet with their advisors to ensure that they meet necessary prerequisites for entry into these programs. Additional courses in math and chemistry may be necessary. |
| 5 | If BIO 462 is used to meet the senior project requirement, it cannot also be counted as an Elective. |
| 6 | CHEM 369 suggested for students who plan to pursue graduate school or a health professions career. |
| 7 | If a General Education (GE) course is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree. |
General Education (GE) Requirements
- 72 units required, 20 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
- If any of the remaining 52 units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
- See the complete GE course listing.
- A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking), and B4 (Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).
| Area A | English Language Communication and Critical Thinking | |
| A1 | Oral Communication | 4 |
| A2 | Written Communication | 4 |
| A3 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| Area B | Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning | |
| B1 | Physical Science (4 units in Support) 1 | 0 |
| B2 | Life Science (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| B3 | One lab taken with either a B1 or B2 course | |
| B4 | Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (4 units in Support) 1 | 0 |
| Upper-Division B (4 units in Support) 1 | 0 | |
| Area C | Arts and Humanities | |
| Lower-division courses in Area C must come from three different subject prefixes. | ||
| C1 | Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater | 4 |
| C2 | Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English | 4 |
| Lower-Division C Elective - Select a course from either C1 or C2 | 4 | |
| Upper-Division C | 4 | |
| Area D | Social Sciences - Select courses in Area D from at least two different prefixes | |
| D1 | American Institutions (Title 5, Section 40404 Requirement) | 4 |
| D2 | Lower-Division D | 4 |
| Upper-Division D | 4 | |
| Area E | Lifelong Learning and Self-Development | |
| Lower-Division E | 4 | |
| Area F | Ethnic Studies | |
| F | Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| GE Electives in Areas B, C, and D | ||
| Select courses from two different areas; may be lower-division or upper-division courses. | ||
| GE Electives (4 units in Support plus 4 units in GE) 1 | 4 | |
| Total units | 52 | |
| 1 | Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement. |
San Luis Obispo, California 93407