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Microbiology Undergraduate Program - Major and Minor

Microbiology Major

Our curriculum is designed to meet the recommendations of the American Society for Microbiology and the American Academy of Microbiologists. After completing introductory courses in Biology and general Microbiology, majors take a core of Microbiology courses including Immunology, Microbial Genetics, and Bacterial Physiology. Majors then choose from 16 elective offerings in diverse areas of Microbiology. A particular strength of the program lies with its emphasis on laboratory competence. All core courses and the majority of electives include laboratories that provide students with extensive hands-on experience in modern laboratory procedures in Microbiology. Microbiology requirements are supplemented by Chemistry and Biochemistry courses that can earn students a minor in Chemistry. UW-La Crosse Microbiology graduates have a minimum of 750 hours of laboratory instruction! In addition, numerous opportunities for work experience are provided by cooperative internships with local industries, employment in the department or on faculty research grants, and through undergraduate research projects. Regardless of the area majors choose to emphasize, the core curriculum provides a broad, fundamental background in the science.

There are four different tracks a Microbiology major can take at UW-L - either the general Microbiology major, a Microbiology major with a biomedical concentration, Microbiology major with an environmental science concentration or a Microbiology major with a business concentration. The curriculum for all three is listed below followed by a series of sample 4-year schedules reflecting the different areas and career options.

Microbiology can be a valuable minor for a number of biology and health-related majors. It can also be a useful minor for chemistry, biochemistry, and computer science majors. Check out the minor below and see how these courses fit with your career plans.

Microbiology Curriculum Requirements 2007/2009 Catalogue

(Note: Requirements for students who entered the program prior to 2007 may have been different. Please consult your advisor.)

Microbiology Major

A. Biology Core

B. Microbiology Core

C. Microbiology/Biology electives
(10 - 11 credits; at least 6 credits from List I, a maximum of two credits from List III, One course from List II is strongly recommended):

List I:

List II:

List III:

D. Additional Requirements

Students applying for professional and/or graduate schools should take a full year of physics (PHY 103/104 or 203/204). Students electing a Chemistry minor must take CHM 301 (Analytical Chemistry) and have 26 total credits of chemistry. The minor can be fulfilled by taking: the two-semester Organic or Biochemistry courses, Instrumental Chemistry [CHM 441], Environmental Chemsitry [CHM 412], or Chemistry Research [CHM 499].

Schedule of elective offerings:

Fall Semester:
Pathogenic Bacteriology, Virology Laboratory, Industrial and Fermentaion Microbiology, Aquatic Microbial Ecology (even years), Parasitology, Mycology, Advanced Microscopy

Spring Semester:
Pathogenic Bacteriology, Virology, Food Microbiology, Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenicity (odd years), Bioinformatics, Medical Mycology, Aquatic Animal Health, Plant-microbe Interactions (even years)

J Term or Summer:
Bioinformatics (J-Term), Fermentation Microbiology Laboratory (summer - odd years), Vector Borne Disease (summer - even years)

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Microbiology Major: Biomedical Concentration

A. Biology Core

B. Microbiology Core

C. Microbiology/Biology electives
(five credits; at least three credits from List I, a maximum of two credits from List III):

List I:

List II:

List III:

D. Additional Requirements

Students applying for professional and/or graduate schools should take a full year of physics (PHY 103/104 or 203/204). Students electing a Chemistry minor must take CHM 301 (Analytical Chemistry) and have 26 total credits of chemistry. Pre-professional (pre-med, pre-vet, etc.) and CLS studednts must take genetics (BIO 306).

Schedule of elective offerings:

Fall Semester:
Bacterial Diversity (odd years), Virology Laboratory, Parasitology, Mycology, Molecular Biology

Spring Semester:
Bacterial Diversity, Virology, Food Microbiology, Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis (odd years), Bioinformatics, Medical Mycology, Aquatic Animal Health

J Term or Summer:
Bioinformatics (J-Term), Vector Borne Disease (summer - even years)

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Microbiology Major: Environmental Science Concentration

A. Biology Core

B. Microbiology Core

C. Microbiology/Biology electives
(11-12 credits; at least five credits from List I, at least three credits from List II, and a maximum of two credits from List III):

List I:

List II:

List III:

D. Additional Requirements

Students applying for professional and/or graduate schools should take a full year of physics (PHY 103/104 or 203/204).Students taking the one-semester Organic and Biochemistry courses will be 2 credits short of a Chemistry Minor (26 credits). We recommend taking Instrumental Chemistry (CHM 441), Environmental Chemistry (CHM 412), or Chemistry Research (CHM 499) to fulfill the chemistry minor.

Schedule of elective offerings:

Fall Semester:
Immunology, Pathogenic Bacteriology, Virology Laboratory, Industrial & Fermentation Microbiology, Parasitology, Mycology, Limnology, Ecology, Advanced Microscopy

Spring Semester:
Immunology, Pathogenic Bacteriology, Virology, Bioinformatics, Aquatic Animal Health, Standard Methods, Environmental Toxicology, Ecology, Stream & Watershed Ecology, Plant-Microbe Interactions (even years)

J Term or Summer:
Bioinformatics (J-term); Fermentation Microbiology Laboratory (summer, odd years)

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Microbiology Major: Business Concentration

A. Biology Core

B. Microbiology Core

C. Business Core

D. Microbiology/Biology electives
(5-6 credits; at least 3 credits from List I, a maximum of two credits from List III, One course from List II is strongly recommended):

List I:

List II:

List III:

D. Additional Requirements

Students applying for professional and/or graduate schools should take a full year of physics (PHY 103/104 or 203/204). Students electing a Chemistry minor must take CHM 301 (Analytical Chemistry) and have 26 total credits of chemistry. The minor can be fulfilled by taking: the two-semester Organic or Biochemistry courses, Instrumental Chemistry [CHM 441], Environmental Chemsitry [CHM 412], or Chemistry Research [CHM 499].

Schedule of elective offerings:

Fall Semester:
Pathogenic Bacteriology, Virology Laboratory, Industrial and Fermentaion Microbiology, Aquatic Microbial Ecology (even years), Parasitology, Mycology, Advanced Microscopy

Spring Semester:
Pathogenic Bacteriology, Virology, Food Microbiology, Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenicity (odd years), Bioinformatics, Medical Mycology, Aquatic Animal Health, Plant-microbe Interactions (even years)

J Term or Summer:
Bioinformatics (J-Term), Fermentation Microbiology Laboratory (summer - odd years), Vector Borne Disease (summer - even years)

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Following are a number of Example Four Year Schedules depending on your area of interest and your career goals.

These example four year schedules are in Adobe Reader (PDF) format.
Each is 35 KB / 1 page.

• Example Four Year Schedule for the Microbiology Major (pre-employment track; 1 semester Physics and 1 semester Organic Chemistry)
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• Example Four Year Schedule for the Microbiology Major (pre-Graduate School track; 2 semesters Physics and 2 semesters Organic Chemistry; Chemistry minor)
• 
  
• Example Four Year Schedule for the Microbiology Major: Biomedical Concentration (pre-employment track; 1 semester Physics and 1 semester Organic Chemistry)
• 
  
• Example Four Year Schedule for the Microbiology Major: Biomedical Concentration (pre-professional track; 1 year Physics and Organic Chemistry)
• 
  
• Example Four Year Schedule for the Microbiology Major: Biomedical Concentration (pre-graduate school track; 1 year Physics and Organic Chemistry)
• 
  
• Example Four Year Schedule for the Microbiology Major: Environmental Science Concentration

For more information about the Microbiology major, contact:
Michael R. Winfrey, Chair
Department of Microbiology

Microbiology Minor - 22 credits

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Who can declare a minor in Microbiology?
            Any current or new student can declare the microbiology minor.

2.  When can I declare a minor in Microbiology?
            Now!  The minor went into effect in the Spring of 2007.

3.  How do I declare the minor?
            File a Change of Program form.  Forms can be obtained in the Microbiology Office, room 3002 Cowley Hall.

4.  What do I do with the form?
            Bring it back to the Microbiology office or take it to the College of SAH office.

5.  Can I use elective credits in my major for my minor?
            Yes, electives in your major that are listed below may be counted in both the minor and your major.

6.  Who can I talk to about the minor?
            Contact Sue Anglehart at 3013 Cowley Hall, 785-8247 or anglehar.suza@uwlax.edu or any Microbiology Department faculty member.

Curriculum

A. Microbiology Core

C. Microbiology/Biology electives
(9-10 credits; total credits must equal 22):

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