Microbiology

This is an archived copy of the 2023-24 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Microbiology

Degree Type: B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits39
*

 May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category.

 General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable.  Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

  •  A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Major Requirements

Microbiology Core Courses
MICR 189Skills for Academic Success 1, 31
MICR 350
350L
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab 3
5
MICR 352
352L
Critical Skills in Microbiology
and Critical Skills in Microbiology Laboratory Research 3
5
MICR 452Microbial Ecology 3,43
MICR 470Basic Immunology 3,43
MICR 475Virology 3,43
MICR 480Microbial Physiology 3,43
MICR 482Microbial Genetics 3,43
MICR 485Capstone Experience in Microbiology I: Reflecting and Planning 2, 31
or HON 491 Seminar
MICR 486Capstone Experience in Microbiology II: Reflection and Dissemination 2, 31
or HON 489 Senior Thesis
Laboratory Course 3
Select one from the following:2-3
Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology
Animal Cell Culture Techniques 4
Microbial Pathogenesis Laboratory 4
Immunology and Serology Laboratory 4
Capstone Experience 3
Capstone Experience must include a minimum of 2 credits from the following:2
Undergraduate Research
Field Experience
FE/Coop Ed/Internship
Microbiology Electives 3
Select from the following:8
Study Tour Abroad (No more than 3 credits)
Study Abroad
Individual Study (No more than 3 credits)
Food Microbiology 4
Microbial Pathogenesis 4
Clinical Parasitology 4
Microbial Genomics with Computational Laboratory 4
Seminar (No more than 3 credits)
Cellular Signal Transduction Processes and Metabolic Regulation 4
Molecular Biology of Gene Expression
Evolution
Cell Biology
Hematology
Epidemiology 4
Diseases Of Field and Forage Crops 4
Fungal Biology 4
Intermediate Genetics 4
Soil Ecology
BIOC 461Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II3
BIOC 460Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I3
BIOL 150
150L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Laboratory
4
BIOL 151
151L
General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
4
CHEM 121
121L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 122
122L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
4
CHEM 341
341L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II3
PHYS 211
211L
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
PHYS 212
212L
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
PLSC 315
315L
Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory
4
STAT 330Introductory Statistics3
Select one philosophy course from the following:3
Professional Responsibility and Ethics
Ethics
Contemporary Moral Issues
Business Ethics
Environmental Ethics
Ethics, Engineering, and Technology
Select one of the following or higher level math:3-4
Trigonometry
Precalculus
Applied Calculus I
Total Credits90-91
1

MICR189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MICR189.

2

Students can substitute HON 491 for Seminar and HON 489 for Senior Thesis.

3

Course requires a grade of C or better.

4

Courses offered at the 600 level can be used in the B.S./M.S. accelerated program. The 600 level courses have additional outcomes/requirements for graduate level students. When students complete and submit the Accelerated Declaration form, the courses must be identified and no more than 15 credits of graduate coursework can be counted toward the B.S. degree.

Degree Requirements and Notes                          

  • A cumulative 2.50 GPA is required for graduation in the B.S. degree program. Additional GPA stipulations are required for the B.S./M.S. accelerated programs.

Accelerated Undergraduate to Master's Degree Programs

  • Students may participate in an accelerated program in the following areas:
    • B.S. Microbiology to Master of Science in Microbiology
    • B.S. Microbiology to Master of Public Health
  • Instructions to apply and a sample 5-year plan for interested students can be found on the department website.
  • Students may complete a thesis-based or comprehensive study-based masters program. Outcomes of these master's programs can be found here.

Minor Requirements

Minor: Microbiology

Required Credits: 16

Required Courses
MICR 350
350L
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
5
Elective Courses: Select 11 credits from the following:11
No more than 3 credits may come from courses numbered 491-499 to fulfill this requirement.
Critical Skills in Microbiology
Study Tour Abroad
Animal Cell Culture Techniques
Microbial Ecology
Food Microbiology
Microbial Pathogenesis
Microbial Pathogenesis Laboratory
Clinical Parasitology
Basic Immunology
Immunology and Serology Laboratory
Epidemiology
Virology
Microbial Physiology
Microbial Genomics with Computational Laboratory
Microbial Genetics
Seminar
Individual Study
Field Experience
Special Topics
Total Credits16

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
  • Students must earn a 2.50 minimum GPA  for the minor with a grade of ‘C’ or better in the courses used to satisfy the minor requirements.