Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology offers students preparation for training positions leading to licensure as registered clinical laboratory scientists, for graduate studies and for various employment opportunities in the biotechnology industry, public health, environmental applications, the pharmaceutical, fermentation, sanitation, and dairy industries, and for research positions in university/private/clinical laboratories. Students pursuing a degree in microbiology may qualify for entrance to medical or dental schools by including appropriate elective courses in their program.
The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology is 186 units, of which 120 units are in the major. Consult with an advisor for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree including GE and free electives.
Microbiology Honors Program
The Department of Biological Sciences offers an honors program for upper division microbiology students who have completed 94-quarter units, including 40 units in the major, with a minimum B (3.0) grade point average both overall and in the major. Students shall have completed 24 units of the major in residence at Cal State L. A.
The honors program introduces highly motivated students to an intensive search experience in microbiology. Honors students are assisted by an honors adviser and two other committee members. Enrollment in MICR 396 Honor's Thesis in Microbiology, for 5 units is required. Students can apply these units to their degree program. A prospectus, a written thesis, and a final oral examination about the thesis, administered by the committee, are required parts of the program. Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: "Graduated with Departmental Honors in Microbiology." Enrollment in MICR 499, Undergraduate Directed Study, for 1-4 units, prior to MICR 396 is optional, though recommended.
Requirements for the Major (120 units)
Of the 186 units required for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology, the major requires 120. The core requires 103 units, and 17 elective units must be taken, with adviser approval. Successful completion of the major requires a minimum C (2.0) overall grade point average in all required courses. At least 18 units of upper division course work that fulfills major requirements must be taken in residence (not to include courses graded CR/NC).
| Lower Division Required Courses (46 units) | |
| BIOL 100ABC | Introductory Biology I-III (5, 5, 5) |
| CHEM 101-103 | General Chemistry I-III (5, 5, 5) |
| CHEM 201 | Quantitative Analysis (5) |
| MATH 204 | Applied Calculus I (4) |
| PHYS 101-103 | Physics (4, 4, 4) |
| Upper Division Required Courses (57 units) | |
| MICR 300 | General Microbiology (5) |
| MICR 301 | General Medical Microbiology (4) |
| MICR 302 | Pathogenic Bacteriology (5) |
| MICR 304 | Immunology and Serology (5) |
| MICR 331 | Structure and Function of Bacteria (3) |
| MICR 340 | Microbial Genetics (3) |
| BIOL 300 | Biometrics (4) |
| BIOL 320 | Writing for Biologists (4) |
| CHEM 301ABC and CHEM 302AB |
Organic Chemistry (3, 3, 3) and Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2, 2) |
| CHEM 431ABC and CHEM 432A |
Biochemistry (3, 3, 3) and Biochemistry Laboratory (2) |
| Elective Courses (17 units) | |
With prior written approval of their adviser, students select certain upper division courses in microbiology, biology and related sciences from a current list approved by the department. These courses will be selected according to the students' individual career plans. No upper division course with the suffix N or upper division general education course may be used to fulfill the major requirements. |
Note: This information was taken from the University Catalog.