Microbiology Program

6012 Agriculture Building 766-2029
FAX: (307) 766-3875
Program Director: Dale D. Isaak
e-mail: isaak@uwyo.edu

The Bachelor of Science degree program in microbiology is organized as an interdepartmental major involving the collaborative teaching, advising, and research expertise of more than 20 microbiology faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, and Health Sciences. The program is administered by a program director and a coordinating committee which represent each of the participating colleges. Students may obtain their degree in either the College of Agriculture or the College of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in obtaining their degree through the College of Arts and Sciences should refer to that college for additional information regarding college requirements. Students interested in obtaining their degree through the College of Agriculture should contact the program director or members of the coordinating committee directly for more information or formal academic advising within the program. Additional information about the microbiology program may be obtained at the following website address: http://www.uwyo.edu/agcollege/micro/microhome.htm.

Students pursuing a major in microbiology must be advised by one of the following participating faculty. Members of the Interdepartmental Microbiology Coordinating Faculty are indicated by an asterisk (*).

*GERALD ANDREWS, veterinary sciences
ANA BRATANICH, veterinary sciences
*E. LEE BELDEN, veterinary sciences
PATRICIA J.S. COLBERG, zoology/ physiology
TODD CORNISH, veterinary sciences
*MARK GOMELSKY, molecular biology
*DALE D. ISAAK, molecular biology
DONALD JARVIS, molecular biology
KURT W. MILLER, molecular biology
STEVEN L. MILLER, botany
*KENNETH W. MILLS, veterinary sciences
DONAL O’TOOLE, veterinary sciences
R. SCOTT SEVILLE, zoology/physiology
*PETER D. STAHL, renewable resources

SHANNON SWIST, veterinary sciences

DANIEL WALL, molecular biology

NAOMI L. WARD, molecular biology

MEIJUN ZHU, animal science
 

Microbiology is the study of life forms too small to be observed without the aid of magnification; major groups of microbes include the bacteria, fungi (yeasts and molds), protozoa, and algae, as well as the viruses. In addition, related disciplines such as immunology and molecular biology are included because of their historical origins within microbiology.

As such, the science of microbiology is divided into numerous subspecialty areas that reflect not only the individual groups of microbes (e.g., bacteriology, virology, mycology, etc.), but also their significance in applied areas (e.g., medical microbiology/infectious diseases, microbial ecology, food microbiology, industrial microbiology, biotechnology, etc.) or in areas of basic science (e.g., molecular genetics). Throughout its history, microbiology has played a key role in the development of our understanding of basic biochemical and genetic processes, control of infectious diseases, production of increased and improved food supplies, and the production of numerous commercial products. With the development of molecular techniques to construct genetically engineered microbes, microbiologists will continue to make expanding contributions in these and other areas.

Because microbiology is a diverse science, individuals trained as microbiologists find exciting career opportunities in many areas of the basic and applied sciences. Typically, microbiologists are employed in five major sectors: private industry; clinical laboratories; government agencies; universities; and various other settings such as water treatment, food production/inspection facilities, and other public health-related areas. Recent manpower assessment studies at both the national and regional levels have provided evidence for a continuing and expanding need for microbiologists such that successful undergraduate students completing this program may look forward to exciting careers. In addition, undergraduates trained in the microbiological sciences are well prepared for competitive application to graduate school programs and professional programs in human or veterinary medicine, optometry or dentistry.

The microbiology curriculum is organized to provide students with the maximum flexibility in meeting their university studies program requirements. In addition, the curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for the future by combining a firm foundation in the basic sciences with a central core of microbiology classes, followed by the opportunity for students to specialize in areas of microbiology suiting their individual interests via the selection of electives. Prior to graduation, microbiology majors must complete the basic requirements and all microbiology core course requirements as listed below. Finally, to assure breadth of exposure in microbiology, students must complete 6 semester hours of microbiology electives.

Basic Course Requirements for Microbiology Majors (128 total hours)

3000-level or above credits - university requirement (48 hours)

Completion of University Studies 2003 Program Requirements

Basic Sciences and quantitative reasoning:

Basic Skills	Hours
MATH 1450 or 1400 and 1405 or MATH 2200	4-6
STAT 2050 or 2070	4
LIFE 1010 and 2022 or 2023	8
LIFE 3050	4
CHEM 1020 and 1030	8
CHEM 2300 or 2420 and 2440	4-8
PHYS 1050 or 1110 and 1120	4-8
MOLB 3000	3
MOLB 3610 or 4600 and 4610	4-6

Microbiology Electives

In addition to completing the required microbiology courses listed above, students must complete 6 hours of microbiology electives from the following lists.

Molecular and Cell Biology:	Hours
LIFE 3600	4
MOLB 4180	1
MOLB 4260	1
MOLB 4440	3
MOLB 4450	3
MOLB 4460	3
MOLB 5660/4660	3

Environmental and Applied Microbiology:	Hours
LIFE 3000	3
LIFE 4400	3
BOT 4300	4
BOT 4360	3
BOT 5390	3
SOIL 4140	4
PLNT 3220	3
PLNT 4000	3
FDSC 4090	3
FDSC 4100	1
FDSC 4900	3

***Students pursuing the B.S. degree in microbiology who wish to pursue a dual major in both microbiology and molecular biology must satisfy the basic science/math and core/elective requirements in microbiology as well as those specified for the B.S. degree in molecular biology PLUS an additional 9 credits of electives in microbiology and/or molecular biology at the 4000/5000 level.

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Last Change: 01/17/08