Microbiology, BS BS
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi) and viruses. The Department offers a BS in microbiology with research opportunities to conduct original research and investigate different aspects of microbial structure and function.
Microorganisms were the first living things on earth, and they remain the most abundant and the most diverse of all organisms. They can cause diseases of plants, animals and humans; they play critical roles in biogeochemical cycles and bioremediation; and they are important in the food and biotechnology industries.
As a microbiologist, students will be on the cutting edge of developments in public health, industrial production processes, biotechnology, and drug discovery. The microbiology major prepares students for a variety of careers in the fields of microbiology, virology, molecular biology, biotechnology, and health related professions, for graduate studies in medical microbiology, industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology, microbial biotechnology, and molecular biology, and for professional studies in pharmacy, dentistry, and medicine.
Career Resources and Job Outcomes
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Listed below are the requirements for the Biological Sciences major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Microbiology Major Requirements
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses. Prospective Microbiology majors should consult with a faculty advisor as early as possible, preferably before the beginning of the junior year, in order to outline an appropriate course of study. Students should consult their advisor at least once each semester.
At least 15 credits of advanced (300 and above) Microbiology courses must be taken in residence at UWM. Students must attain an average GPA of 2.0 in Microbiology courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Requirements
The Microbiology major requires a minimum of 34 credits in Microbiology. The required and elective courses in Biological Sciences, CHEM 501, and BMS 534, BMS 535, BMS 539, and BMS 540 count as "Microbiology" courses for this purpose. A combined limit of 6 credits in BIO SCI 290, BIO SCI 695, BIO SCI 697, BIO SCI 698, and BIO SCI 699 counts toward the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIO SCI 383 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Molecular Biology of Microorganisms | ||
| Bacterial Pathogenesis | ||
| Microbial Diversity and Physiology | ||
| Research Requirement | ||
| Select credits in the following: | ||
| Internship in Biotechnology, Upper Division | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in Microbiology | ||
| Independent Study in Microbiology | ||
| Independent Study 1 | ||
| Research in Honors 1 | ||
| Senior Honors Project 1 | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis 1 | ||
| Microbiology Electives | ||
| BIO SCI 315 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| or CHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology | ||
| Experimental Microbiology | ||
| Select additional elective credits (see below) | ||
| Other Requirements | ||
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Calculus with Life Sciences Applications | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Honors Calculus II | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 9-10 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | ||
| General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | ||
| General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Physics I (Calculus Treatment) | ||
| Physics II (Calculus Treatment) | ||
| Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment) | ||
| Option 3: | ||
| Physics I: Calculus-Based, Studio Format | ||
| Physics II: Calculus-Based, Studio Format | ||
| Total Credits | 63-67 | |
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When determined by the student's Microbiology faculty advisor to have Microbiology content.
Additional Electives
Students choose courses from this list to complete their 26 credits of upper-level (300 or above) microbiology courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO SCI 315 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO SCI 316 | Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology | 2 |
| BIO SCI 401 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIO SCI 405 | General Virology | 3 |
| BIO SCI 465 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIO SCI 469 | Genomic Data Analysis | 2 |
| BIO SCI 490 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BIO SCI 529 | Molecular Biology of Microorganisms (if not selected above) | 3 |
| BIO SCI 535 | Bacterial Pathogenesis (if not selected above) | 3 |
| BIO SCI 539 | Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology (if not selected above) | 4 |
| BIO SCI 540 | Microbial Diversity and Physiology (if not selected above) | 3 |
| BIO SCI 542 | Biological Electron Microscopy | 3 |
| BIO SCI 544 | Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory | 3 |
| BIO SCI 572 | Functional Genomics | 3 |
| BIO SCI 580 | Experimental Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 601 | Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function | 3 |
| BMS 534 | Medical Microbiology 2 | 3 |
| BMS 535 | Medical Microbiology Laboratory 2 | 2 |
| BMS 539 | Public Health Microbiology 2 | 2 |
| BMS 540 | Public Health Microbiology Lab 2 | 2 |
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Only BIO SCI 699 or HONORS 686, HONORS 687, or HONORS 689 projects that are determined by the student's microbiology faculty advisor to have microbiology content count toward the major.
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Students may elect to take these BMS courses to earn credit toward the Microbiology major option provided that they earn 30 advanced credits in Natural Sciences within the College of Letters and Science, as required for the BS degree.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Department Advising
Students should contact an advisor as soon as possible in their freshman year about required courses and the recommended course sequence within Biological Sciences programs. The student should attend fall or spring departmental Open Advising or contact a Department of Biological Sciences faculty advisor who will then guide the student in planning their course choices to accomplish their goals. Students should consult their College academic advisors in Holton Hall and their faculty advisors in the Department of Biological Sciences prior to each registration period.
Major or Minor Declaration
Biological Sciences students should be enrolled in BIO SCI 150 before officially declaring a major in Biological Sciences. Students can declare a major or minor by contacting a faculty advisor in Biological Sciences or attending fall or spring departmental Open Advising. Students can declare more than one major or a combination of major and minors.
Failure to complete a declaration of major may result in a delay in graduation.
We encourage you to begin exploring career options when you declare your major or at the start of your sophomore year, whichever comes first.