Admissions Requirements

General Admission: Most students apply to the undergraduate program during the 3rd Quarter of their sophmore year, and should meet the following requirements:

• a minimum of 75 transferable credits, including:
  • BIOL 180, 200, 220
  • CHEM 142, 152, 162, or 145, 155; and CHEM 237, 238, 239 or CHEM 223, 224 or Honors CHEM 335, 336, 337
• a cumulative grade point average (g.p.a.) of 2.0 overall.
• a cumulative g.p.a. of 2.25 in the prerequisite biology and chemistry courses.

Early Admission to the Program: Students who meet the following criteria may apply for early admission to the Microbiology Program:

• BIOL 200
• Full year of the Inorganic Chem: CHEM 142, 152, 162 or honors series
• First quarter of either the two or three quarter series in Organic Chem CHEM 223 or 237 or 335H
• a cumulative g.p.a. of 2.75 in the prerequisite biology and chemistry courses.
• a cumulative grade point average (g.p.a.) of 2.0 overall

Evaluation of other science courses such as math and physics will also be considered at the time of application.

Most students who make application to the department have completed most of their biology and organic chemistry prerequisites needed for graduation.

Admissions Assistance to the Program:

Students (currently enrolled, postbaccalaureate, and transfer) applying for entry to the program should make an appointment with the Department's Advisor, Sarah Mears to have their records evaluated. Students should bring their undergraduate file or copies of transcripts at the time they meet with her. Students meeting the course prerequisites and the required GPA are accepted into the Microbiology Program. Students who do not meet the department's admission requirements may petition the Department's Undergraduate Admissions Committee for admission to the program. Petitions will be considered on an individual basis.

Students who plan to transfer to the Microbiology Program from a two-year Community College may contact Sarah Mears for help in planning a program at the community college to meet the prerequisite coursework.

Career/Academic Departmental Advising System:

Upon notification of acceptance to the Program students will be assigned a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors will discuss departmental requirements and electives, students' scientific interests, and assist in planning for a career and/or graduate education or professional school.

During your first three quarters in the Microbiology Program you are to meet with your faculty advisor on a quarterly basis.

Your Spring Quarter meeting should include discussion of your course of study for your senior year. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor as often as needed in their senior year, but at least one meeting should be scheduled, preferably in Winter Quarter. Students may take their file, obtained from the Sarah Mears, when they meet with their faculty advisor.

Microbiology majors should establish an e-mail account (through UW Computing and Networking), so that we may inform you of any program announcements or changes; please give your address to Sarah Mears.

Admission to Program by petition:

Submit a letter to the Undergraduate Admissions and Petition Committee (c/o Sarah Mears) requesting admission to Program. Please indicate why you desire to pursue a major in microbiology and any issues or extenuating circumstances that you feel should be considered in the evaluation of your application.