Program Planning

It is important in setting up a program that careful consideration be given to those courses that must be taken in sequence, and the quarters in which those courses are offered; plan your general program for one and possibly for two years and consult with your advisor regarding your plan.

The role of a faculty advisor is to discuss departmental requirements and electives, help you outline a course of study, and provide advice, counseling, and assistance as you progress through the program. On the basis of your individual career goals and scientific interests, your advisor will assist you 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 an 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 Sarah Mears, when they meet with their faculty advisor.

Required microbiology courses are taught as follows: (see the course catalogue for a complete list of courses)

Microm 402, Fundamentals of General Microbiology Laboratory, 3 Credits, Autumn or Spring

Microm 410, Fundamentals of General Microbiology I, 3 Credits, Autumn

Microm 411, Gene Action, 5 Credits, Winter

Microm 412, Prokaryotic Diversity, 3 Credits, Spring

Microm 431, Prokaryotic Recombinant DNA Techniques Laboratory, 3 Credits, Winter

Microm 441, Introduction to Immunology, 4 Credits, Autumn

Microm 442, Medical Bacteriology, 3 Credits, Winter

Microm 443, Medical Bacteriology Lab, 3 Credits, Autumn or Winter

Microm 445, Medical Virology, 2 Credits, Spring*

Microm 450, Molecular Biology of Viruses, 3 Credits, Winter*

*Students are required to take either Microm 445 or Microm 450. Those wishing an in-depth coverage of viruses may elect to enroll in both Micro 445 and Micro 450, for which they will receive elective credit.

 

 

Microm 496, Undergraduate Library Research, 2 Credits, All Quarters

Micro Priority Registration. Due to increasingly high enrollment in courses such as Microm 402, 431, 441, and 443 priority will be given to micro majors and medical technology students. Attendance is required first day of class, otherwise you may risk losing your space.

 

 

ILLUSTRATIVE PROGRAM FOR MICROBIOLOGY MAJORS:

Below is an illustrative course schedule that should help in planning your program. Microbiology 301 and 302 cannot be used to meet major requirements.

Freshman Year

Inorganic chemistry (Chem 142, 152, 162) and the math requirement should be completed in the first year (Freshman year). Those considering graduate work should consider completing one year of calculus (Math 124, 125, 126 or Math 144, 145, 146), or, alternatively, Quantitative Science 291, 292 and 381.

Complete English Composition and Foreign Language requirements, if possible, and begin courses for the Additional Writing and Areas of Knowledge requirements. The Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning requirement is satisfied by taking the math course(s) required of the major.

Sophomore Year

By the end of the second year the basic biological sequence Biol 180, 200, 220, organic chemistry, Chem 223, 224, or 237, 238, 239, or 335H, 336H, 337H (three-quarter sequence preferred); Physics 114, 115 or 121, 122 (physics 116 or 123/133 recommended) should be completed. In certain cases postponement of physics to the third year may be desirable. Laboratory courses are recommended.

Continue courses for Areas of Knowledge and Additional Writing requirements.

Junior and Senior Years

Usually the microbiology courses are distributed between the third and fourth years. A broad range of elective courses are available including a selection of 500 level courses. For 500 level courses, you will most likely need to get the permission of the instructor before registering.

For students considering graduate work, Biochemistry 440, 441, 442 is the preferred sequence. Physical Chemistry, Chem 355, 452, or 455, 456, 457, and Microm 499 (undergraduate research) are strongly recommended.

It is recommended that students considering certain professional graduate programs (i.e., medical school, dental school, and pharmacy) take Physics 116, plus the labs that correspond with the physics and chemistry series. Internships or volunteer experience is strongly recommended).

Complete Areas of Knowledge requirements and electives.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR MICROBIOLOGY MAJORS:

Notes:

Microm 496, Undergraduate library Research, is required of all majors.

Microm 499, Undergraduate Laboratory Research, is strongly recommended.

*Students are required to take either Microm 445 (2) Medical Virology or Microm 450 Molecular Biology of Viruses (3).

Instructor course descriptions and student course evaluations are available.

The first Quarter of the program can be quite challenging; if you are struggling/ have struggled with the material in Microm 410 it is recommended that you defer taking Microm 411 (a required course), and Microm 450 (an elective) until the second year of the program because of the academically demanding nature of these two courses.