B.S. Microbiology
Microbiology is a fundamental biological science centered on how microbes affect human and animal health and our environment. The discipline covers a wide spectrum of specialized areas, including: pathogenic microbiology and immunology, microbial genetics and phage, virology, food and dairy microbiology, microbial ecology, bacterial physiology, epidemiology, and animal disease.
Microbiologists have made some of the most important scientific discoveries over the last century, and in recent years, the field of microbiology has impacted virtually all other scientific disciplines. For this reason, students who choose to major in microbiology often minor in biotechnology or food safety; and students who choose to major in other fields may find it beneficial to minor in microbiology.
To graduate with a microbiology major from NDSU, students must achieve a 2.50 cumulative grade point average and a minimum grade of “C” in core and elective microbiology courses.
Below you will find a list of core and elective microbiology courses for the undergraduate micro major. Each entry includes a short description of the course, including, the instructor’s name, when the course is offered, and the most recent syllabus for that course.
You can view curriculum guides for the microbiology major in undergraduate resources
CORE COURSES
350, 350L General Microbiology, Lab
Credits: 3, 1; Offered in the fall; Instructor: Haggart
Principles of microbiology for students requiring a rigorous professionally oriented course. This course is a prerequisite for most microbiology courses. Prereq: BIOL 150, CHEM 121.
450 Infectious Disease Pathogenesis
Credits: 3; Offered in the spring; Instructor: McEvoy
Students will study mechanisms of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogenesis and the immune response to pathogens. Prereq: MICR 470.
450L Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Lab
Credits: 2; Offered in the spring; Instructor: Haggart
Emphasizes the isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Prereq: MICR 350L.
470 Basic Immunology
Credits: 3; Offered in the fall (2011 only) and spring (beginning 2012); Instructor: Schuh
An overview of the role of the immune system including the functions of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in health and disease. Prereq: MICR 350.
471 Immunology and Serology Laboratory
Credits: 2; Offered in the spring; Instructor: Gustad
Basic immunological and serological procedures. Prereq: MICR 350. Prereq or Co-req: MICR 350L.
475 Animal Virology
Credits: 3; Offered in the fall. Instructor: Berry
The biology of animal viruses with emphasis on virus replication and pathogenesis. Prereq: MICR 350.
480 Bacterial Physiology
Credits: 3; Offered in the spring; Instructor: Pruess
Composition and function of eubacterial and archaeobacterial cell structure. Nutrition and nutrient transport in bacteria. Principles of energy-yielding carbohydrate metabolism, bacterial fermentation, and respiration. Prereq: MICR 350, 350L. Coreq: BIOC 460.
482 Bacterial Genetics and Phage
Credits: 3; Offered in the fall; Instructor: Gibbs
Bacterial genetics as it pertains to antibiotic resistance, genetic testing and manipulation for biotechnological applications. Prereq: MICR 350. Coreq: BIOC 460.
486 Capstone Experience in Microbiology
Credits: 3; Offered in fall and spring; Instructor: Richman
The capstone experience course is a culmination of all required coursework in the major assisting students in broadening and integrating the total experience of the microbiology major. Prereq: MICR 350, 350L and senior standing, semester of graduation.
ELECTIVE COURSES
354 Scientific Writing
Credits: 3; Offered in the spring; Instructor: Ebert
This course emphasizes the qualities of sound logic, good structure, and honesty in writing documents for a professional microbiology audience as well as a general audience. Prereq: ENGL 120, MICR 350, Junior standing. Satisfies the upper-division writing requirement.
379 Study Abroad in Uganda
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Credits: 3; Offered in the summer; Instructor: Khaitsa
To study International Animal production, Animal Health, Disease Surveillance, Public Health systems and Food safety. This course involves international travel to Uganda and is delivered in a format involving lectures from international experts and field trips.
CLS 435 Hematology
Credits: 2; offered in the spring; This course is part of the Medical Laboratory Science program
An introduction to the origin, maturation, and function of the formed elements of human blood. Identification of normal cells will be emphasized. Prereq: MICR 202L or 350L.
Offered in the spring.
445 Animal Cell Culture Techniques
Credits: 2; Offered in the spring; Instructor:Gustad
Methods of animal cell culture propagation and uses for cell culture systems.
452 Microbial Ecology
Credits: 3; Prereq: MICR 350, 350L; Offered in the fall. Instructor: Ebert
Examines the relationships between microbes and the physical, chemical, and biotic components of their environments. The role of microbes in nutrient cycling, bioremediation, biocontrol, biological waste treatment, fuel production, and energy recovery.
453 Food Microbiology
Credits: 3; Offered in the fall; Instructor: Wolf-Hall
Study of the nature, physiology, and interactions of microorganisms in foods. Introduction to foodborne diseases, effects of food processing on the microflora of foods, principles of food preservation, food spoilage, and foods produced by microorganisms. Prereq: MICR 202L or 350L. Cross-listed with CFS 453/653.
PPTH 460 Fungal Biology
Credits: 3; Offered in the fall of even years.
Fungal ecology, morphology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and relevance to humans. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prereq: BIOL 150, PPTH 324.
463 Clinical Parasitology
Credits: 2; Offered in the spring; Instructor: McEvoy
A study of protozoan and helminthic parasites of humans, with an emphasis on clinical identification, life histories, and control. Prereq: BIOL 150, 150L.
474 Epidemiology
Credits: 3; Offered in the spring; Instructor: Khaitsa
The study of the distribution and dynamics of disease in populations. Prereq: STAT 330. Cross-listed with SAFE.
491 Seminar
Credits: 1
494 Individual Study
Credits: 1-3
496 Field Experience
499 Special Topics
Credits: 1-3
Microbiology Minor
Sixteen credits are required from the microbiology curriculum. General Microbiology (MICR 350) and General Microbiology Lab (MICR 350 L) are required in addition to 12 credits from other microbiology courses.
You can view a curriculum guide for the microbiology minor in undergraduate resources.
