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 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.