Biological Sciences, Microbiology Concentration, BS

The BS Biological Sciences, concentration in Microbiology degree, Department of Biological Sciences , prepares students for positions in industries that use or detect microorganisms and for graduate studies in basic, applied or medical microbiology. The program includes specialized instruction in basic microbiology, immunology, medical microbiology, microbial physiology, bacterial genetics and bacterial diversity. It is also designed to accommodate those who wish to pursue certification as Clinical Laboratory Scientists (medical technologists).

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums).

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

Students in this major must complete all lower division courses in the Requirements of the Major with a “C- or better” to graduate.

Prerequisite Requirements

Enrollment in any chemistry course requires that the prerequisite courses be passed with a grade of “C or better” (C- not accepted). Exceptions may be made only with instructor consent or if not explicitly stated in the course description. Refer to the SJSU Course Catalog for specific information regarding course prerequisites.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3B, 4, UD 3, UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) (3 units)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures
Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements including exemptions and waivers, are approved for specific majors and on a case-by-case evaluation only.

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division GE: 18 (10 units may be satisfied by major coursework: Areas 5A, 5B, 5C, 2)

6 required units of American Institutions/US123 may be satisfied by selecting applicable GE courses in Areas 3B and/or 4

Upper Division GE: 6 (3 units satisfied by major coursework: UD Areas 2or5)

Physical Education: 2

GWAR / WID: 0 (3 units may be satisfied by BIOL 100W )

Major Preparation: 17

Major Requirements: 42

Science Electives: 3

Chemistry Minor Requirements: 23

University Electives: 3

Total: 120

2. Major Preparation (17 units)

BIOL 100W - Scientific Communication Workshop 3 unit(s) (WID + GE UD Area 2/5 / Formerly Area R)
BIOL 155 - Hypothesis Testing 3 unit(s)
PHYS 2A - Fundamentals of Physics 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
PHYS 2B - Fundamentals of Physics 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
MATH 30 - Calculus I 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4) (Note: Advanced Placement (AP) Exam with a score of 3 or higher is also acceptable)

3. Major Requirements (42 units)

Core Courses (26 units)

BIOL 30 - Principles of Biology I 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5B and 5C / Formerly Area B2 and B3)
BIOL 31 - Principles of Biology II 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5B and 5C / Formerly Area B2 and B3)
BIOL 107 - Immunology 3 unit(s)
MICR 101 - General Microbiology 5 unit(s)
MICR 127 - Microbial Physiology 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area: 2/5: Earth, Environment, and Sustainability / Formerly Area R)
MICR 141 - Pathogenic Microbiology I 3 unit(s)
MICR 166 - Bacterial Genetics 4 unit(s)

Laboratory Electives (7 units)

Complete at least 7 units of laboratory courses from:

BIOL 107L - Immunology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
BIOL 116L - Molecular Genetics Laboratory 3 unit(s)
BIOL 180 - Individual Studies 1-4 unit(s)
BIOL 182 - Tutor Assistant in Biology 1-2 unit(s)
BIOL 184 - Directed Reading 1-4 unit(s)
BIOL 186 - Senior Thesis 2-4 unit(s)
CHEM 180 - Individual Studies 1-4 unit(s)
MICR 122L - Bacterial Diversity Laboratory 2 unit(s)
MICR 123L - Food Microbiology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
MICR 127L - Microbial Physiology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
MICR 140L - Hematology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
MICR 141L - Pathogenic Microbiology I Laboratory 3 unit(s)
*Any combination of BIOL 180, 182, 184, 186, or CHEM 180 may be taken for a maximum of 4 units.

Major Electives (9 units)

Complete 9 additional units from the laboratory electives above or:

BIOL 115 - General Genetics 4 unit(s)
BIOL 116 - Molecular Genetics 4 unit(s)
BIOL 118 - Evolution 4 unit(s)
BIOL 124 - Systems Physiology 3 unit(s)
BIOL 125 - Systems Physiology Laboratory 2 unit(s)
BIOL 134 - Vertebrate Histology 4 unit(s)
BIOL 135A - Eukaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology I 3 unit(s)
BIOL 135L - Molecular Cell Biology Lab 3 unit(s)
BIOL 156 - Ecological Sampling Design and Analyses 3 unit(s)
CHEM 55 - Quantitative Analysis 2 unit(s)
MICR 122 - Bacterial Diversity 2 unit(s)
MICR 123 - Food Microbiology 2 unit(s)
MICR 140 - Hematology 3 unit(s)
MICR 142 - Pathogenic Microbiology II 3 unit(s)
MICR 170 - General Virology 3 unit(s)

4. Science Electives (3 units)

Any course offered by a department in the College of Science selected in consultation with a major advisor.

5. Chemistry Minor Requirements (23 units)

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
CHEM 1B - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
CHEM 112A - Organic Chemistry 3 unit(s)
CHEM 112B - Organic Chemistry 3 unit(s)
CHEM 113A - Organic Chemistry Lab 2 unit(s)
CHEM 120S - Chemical Safety Seminar 1 unit(s)
CHEM 135 - General Biochemistry 4 unit(s)

6. University Electives (3 units)

University electives selected in consultation with a major advisor.

Total Units Required (120 units)

Students pursuing the California State Clinical Laboratory Science license should consult an advisor for additional requirements.