Department of Biomedical Sciences

The program in microbiology and immunology provides the student with fundamental knowledge of the theories, principles and research techniques in this exciting and rapidly evolving field. The mission of the program is to help the student develop the ability to ask significant scientific questions and then utilize critical thinking skills and modern research laboratory technology to solve these problems successfully.

Students learn about molecular biology with hands-on student-directed laboratory projects where thinking, planning and problem-solving skills are developed. Independent research projects under the guidance of faculty allow development of these skills with "real-world" experiences.

Student skills are evaluated continuously with written and oral presentations, encouraging the refinement of communication skills critical to a successful career. Products of student research activity are presented in seminars and at regional or national scientific meetings.

Rapid and expanding advances in the field of microbiology and immunology have created a need for employees with expertise in a variety of areas. Our graduates are prepared for exciting careers in the expanding medical, clinical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, molecular and health industries. This program also prepares the student for advanced study in specialized graduate science, health and medical programs. The program  offers students a range of classroom, laboratory and independent research experiences. All courses consist of lecture and hands-on laboratories where students perform the most current research techniques. In addition to courses in the sciences, the University Curriculum course offerings prepare students with a broad-based conceptual understanding of science and its role in society.

Included in this program is a two-semester required undergraduate seminar/research experience performed with faculty in research laboratories. This experience allows the student to develop the expertise and experience to be successful in beginning a career or in graduate study. All of our students give formal presentations of their independent research projects. Many have presented the results of research experiences at professional scientific meetings. Successful third- and fourth-year students may be able to obtain internships or part-time work experiences during the school year and/or summer in government labs and major pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies located in the region.

Premedical Studies Program
Students majoring in microbiology and immunology may fully participate in the premedical studies program. The curriculum in this degree program can fulfill the science prerequisites for most professional schools. Students interested in the premedical studies program should contact the Health Professions Advisory Committee for further academic advising.

Requirement for the BS degree in Microbiology and Immunology

Fall Semester, First Year
Course	Title	Credits
BIO 101	General Biology I (UC)	4
CHE 110	General Chemistry I	4
EN 101	Freshman Composition (UC)	3
MA 140	Quantitative Literacy (UC)1	3
QU 101	The Individual in the Community	3
		Total 17

Spring Semester, First Year
Course	Title	Credits
BIO 102	General Biology II (UC)	4
CHE 111	General Chemistry II	4
EN 102	Freshman Composition II (UC)	3
UC	Social Sciences elective	3
UC	Humanities elective	3
		Total 17

Fall Semester, Second Year
Course	Title	Credits
BMS 370	General Microbiology	4
CHE 210	Organic Chemistry I	4
PHY 110	General Physics I	4
UC	Fine Arts elective	3
		Total 15

Spring Semester, Second Year
Course	Title	Credits
CHE 211	Organic Chemistry II	4
PHY 111	General Physics II	4
BMS 372	Pathogenic Microbiology	4
QU 201	Seminar on National Community	3
		Total 15

Fall Semester, Third Year
Course	Title	Credits
CHE 315	Biochemistry	4
UC	UC elective2	3
	Microbiology elective	3-4
	Science elective	4
		Total 14-15

Spring Semester, Third Year
Course	Title	Credits
BMS 375	Immunology	4
	Microbiology elective3	4
	Science elective	4
QU 301	Seminar on Global Community	3
		Total 15

Fall Semester, Fourth Year
Course	Title	Credits
BMS 478	Microbiology Seminar	1
	Immunology elective	3-4
	Science elective	4
	Chemistry elective4	4
UC	UC elective	3
		Total 15-16

Spring Semester, Fourth Year
Course	Title	Credits
BMS 479	Microbiology Research	2
	Two Microbiology electives3	8
	Humanities elective	3
UC	Social Science elective	3
		Total 16

1. Minimum mathematics requirement: MA 140 (Pre-Calculus). For those interested in graduate or professional schools, MA 141-142 (Calculus) is recommended.
2. MA 275 (Biostatistics) strongly recommended.
3. BIO 471 (Molecular Genetics) and BMS 470 (Virology) strongly recommended.
4. CHE 215 (Analytical Chemistry) strongly recommended.

Recommended Science electives
BIO 211-212 - Anatomy & Physiology I & II -- 4 credits
BIO 251 - General Ecology -- 4 credits
BIO 282 - Human Genetics -- 4 credits
BIO 317 - Developmental Biology -- 4 credits
BIO 332 - Histology -- 4 credits

Additional electives may be selected with the approval of the department chair.

Microbiology electives
BIO 326 - Animal Parasitology -- 4 credits
BIO 346 - Cell Physiology -- 4 credits
BIO 471 - Molecular Genetics -- 4 credits
BMS 278 - Research and Technology -- 3 credits
BMS 373 - Mycology -- 4 credits
BMS 470 - Virology -- 4 credits
BMS 472 - Biotechnology -- 4 credits
BMS 473 - Infections of Leisure -- 3 credits
BMS 474 - Power of Plagues -- 3 credits
BMS 476 - Environmental Microbiology -- 4 credits
BMS 481 - Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences -- 3 credits
BMS 482 - Independent Study in Microbiology I -- 3-4 credits
BMS 483 - Independent Study in Microbiology II -- 3-4 credits

The minor in microbiology and molecular biology provides students with a fundamental knowledge of the theories, principles and research techniques in this exciting and rapidly evolving field. The program helps students develop the ability to ask significant scientific questions and then utilize critical thinking skills and modern research laboratory technology to solve these problems successfully.

Students are required to complete BMS 370 (Microbiology) with at least four of the courses indicated below with a grade of C or better (a total of 20 credits).

Required:
BMS 370 General Microbiology - 4 credits

Plus four of the following:
BIO 326 Animal Parasitology (4 credits)
BIO 328 Clinical Human Animal Parasitology (4 credits)
BIO 346 Cell Physiology (4 credits)
BIO 471 Molecular Genetics (4 credits)
BMS 372 Pathogenic Microbiology (4 credits)
BMS 373 Mycology (4 credits)
BMS 375 General Immunology (4 credits)
BMS 378 Vaccines (4 credits)
BMS 470 Virology (4 credits)
BMS 472 Biotechnology (4 credits)
BMS 473 Infections of Leisure (3 credits)
BMS 474 Power of Plagues (3 credits)
BMS 475 Current Topics (4 credits)
BMS 476 Environmental Microbiology (4 credits)
BMS 482 Independent Study (1-4 credits)

Graduate courses for the Microbiology and Immunology minor (permission required):
BMS 570 Virology (4 credits) - cannot be combined with BMS 470
BMS 526 Epidemiology (3 credits)
BMS 542 Advanced Microbiology (3 credits)
BMS 569 Antimicrobial Therapy (3 credits)
BMS 573 Mycology (4 credits)
BMS 575 Food Microbiology (4 credits)
BMS 584 Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (3 credits)
BMS 585 Outbreak Control (3 credits)
BMS 595 Transplantation Immunology (3 credits)
BMS 596 Immunology of Infectious Diseases (3 credits)