College of Letters & Science
Microbiology
(Department of Bacteriology)
Requirements for the Major in Microbiology
Supporting Courses Required
Honors in the Major
Courses
1322 Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608-262-2914; www.bact.wisc.edu
Professors Gourse (chair), Donohue, Downs, Escalante-Semerena, Filutowicz, Jeffries, Johnson, Kaspar, Keller (Medical Microbiology and Immunology), Landick, Mansfield, Roberts, Wong; Associate Professors Barclay, Currie, Forest, Goodrich-Blair, Hammel, McMahon (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Thomas, Wassarman, Weimer, Yu; Assistant Professor Suen
Contact Katy France, Student Services Coordinator, 608-262-2975, kfrance@bact.wisc.edu, for general information about the undergraduate program, declaring the microbiology major, career opportunities, and advisor assignments.
Microorganisms are the oldest life forms on earth and influence our lives and the well-being of the planet in innumerable ways. The field of microbiology has become even more prominent in recent years because of increased concerns about bioterrorism, infectious disease, and environmental manipulation. The microbiology major, offered by the Department of Bacteriology, provides training in broad aspects of microbiology with an emphasis on cutting-edge laboratory skills. The core courses focus on the diversity, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of microorganisms. A variety of elective courses provide the opportunity to study environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, food microbiology, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, virology and microbial biotechnology. Instructional laboratory courses provide hands-on experience with modern techniques and equipment. Students have many opportunities for independent research projects in faculty laboratories.
The bachelor's degree provides a strong background in the biological sciences for students planning to enter medical, dental, veterinary or other professional schools, as well as those planning graduate studies in any branch of microbiology or other biological sciences such as molecular or cell biology.
Students who end their training with a bachelor's degree are well prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities, including laboratory positions in pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms and in university and government laboratories. They also work as specialists in industrial quality testing and control, and as regulatory workers in government agencies and public health laboratories. Exposure to the scientific process as well as training in microbiology allows microbiology graduates to enter fields as diverse as business, technical service, sales, and technical writing.
Requirements for the Major
The Department of Bacteriology offers an undergraduate major in microbiology for students in both the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Letters and Science (L&S). Students majoring in microbiology complete a minimum of 23 credits, including the core courses—Microbio 303, 304, 450, 470, 526, 527 and 551. The remaining 6 credits can be taken in a variety of electives; up to 3 credits may be fulfilled by specified non-microbiology courses. Contact the department for a complete list of electives.
All students completing a Letters and Science degree must complete the L&S requirement of at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major completed in residence. Microbiology courses 300 level and above (excluding Microbio 303 and 304) count toward this requirement.
Supporting Courses Required
Biological Sciences
Students may choose one of two options to gain appropriate background in basic biology, genetics and biochemistry.
Option A:
Botany 130 and Zoology 101/102
or Botany/Zoology
151/152;
Biochem 501 or Biochem 507/508
or BMolChem 503
Option B:
Biocore 301, 303, and
323
plus any two Biocore labs (Biocore 333 strongly
recommended);
Biochem 501 or Biochem 507/508 or BMolChem
503
Math/Physical Sciences
General Chemistry 103/104
or Chemistry 109
Organic Chemistry 343, 344, 345
Math 112-113
or 114; Calculus 171-217, 211 or 221
Physics 103/104
or 201/202 or 207/208
Students are encouraged to complete the B.S. degree because strong math skills are required for the microbiology major. Students who plan on graduate study are advised to complete Biochem 507 and 508, calculus, and physical chemistry.
Honors in the Major
To earn L&S Honors in the Major in Microbiology, majors must complete a minimum of 15 honors credits in the department, chosen from:
Microbio 303, 304, 330, 425, 450, 470, 526, 528, 607, 612, 622, 625, 632, 640, 650, 668, and 681-682
Honors candidates must complete a Senior Honors Thesis (Microbio 681-682). A minimum grade of B is required in each honors credit course, and students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 in courses taken in the major and an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken at UW-Madison at the time of graduation. Students should check with the department honors advisor at least once a year to make sure that requirements have not been modified, as well as to seek guidance about planning the best possible Honors in the Major curriculum that reflects their special interests.