Program: B.S., Biology
Microbiology
Overview
The Microbiology Option prepares students for graduate programs or careers as research associates in a variety of fields (e.g., medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural or environmental biotechnology; medical device, cosmetic, food- and water-quality assurance) in academic, governmental or industrial labs or a variety of similar settings.
Program Requirements
Each student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete the designated Core program plus all required courses and the selective program of one of the options.
A. Core Requirements for All B.S. Options
1. Lower Division Courses (27 units)
BIOL 106/L Biological Principles I and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 107/L Biological Principles II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 101/L General Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 102/L General Chemistry II and Lab (4/1)
PHYS 100A General Physics I (3)
PHYS 100B General Physics II (3)
MATH 255A Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)
2. Upper Division Courses (9 units)
BIOL 322 Evolutionary Biology (3)
BIOL 360 Genetics (3)
BIOL 380 Cell Biology (3)
B. Option Requirements
1. Required Courses (23 units)
BIOL 315/L Principles of Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 417/L Microbial Physiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 467/L Bacterial Genetics (2/2)
CHEM 333/L Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 334/L Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
PHYS 100AL General Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS 100BL General Physics II Lab (1)
(MATH 140 and 255B are highly recommended.)
2. Selective Program (20 units)
Choose any courses from the following list or other courses with advisor approval.
BIOL 381 Cell Biology Lab (1)
BIOL 408/L Applied Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 410/L Medical Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 418/L Bacterial Diversity and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 419/L/492C Microbial Ecology and Field Studies (2/1/1)
BIOL 431/L Food Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 435/L Parasitology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 437/L/492V Biology of Fungi and Field Studies (2/1/1)*
BIOL 470 Biotechnology (3)
BIOL 476 Topics in Stem Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 485/L Immunology with Serology Lab (2/2)
BIOL 487/L Hematology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 490, 495, 499, 526 (no more than 3 units combined)
BIOL 536 Medical Mycology (3)
BIOL 544 Biology of Viruses (3)
BIOL 551/L Computer Modeling in Biology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 561 The Molecular Genetics of Microorgansisms (3)
BIOL 566 Genetics of Bacteria and Their Viruses ( 3)
BIOL 572/L Recombinant DNA Techniques and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 575/L Biological Imaging and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 577/L Cell and Tissue Culture and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 585 Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis (3)
BIOL 589 Cellular Immunology (3)
CHEM 321/L Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 464 Principles of Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)
Note that completion of CHEM 101/L, 102/L, 321/L, 333, 334 and 464 satisfies the course requirements for a minor in Chemistry; see Chemistry Department for evaluation.
General Education (36 units)
Basic Skills Mathematics and the entire Natural Sciences section are fulfilled by required courses in the major.
Total Units in Option III: 79
General Education Units: 36
Additional Units: 5
Total Units Required for a B.S. Degree: 120
Contact
Chair: Larry Allen
Chaparral Hall (CR) 5101
(818) 677-3356
www.csun.edu/biology
Student Learning Outcomes
The Biology Department has identified five learning outcomes to be achieved by its students as a result of completing one of its baccalaureate degree programs.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of a) the structure and metabolism of cells; b) the transmission and expression of genetic information; and c) the immediate and long-term (evolutionary) consequences of interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Students will demonstrate specialized knowledge in one or more disciplines of biology.
- Students will be aware of and/or capable of using new and existing methods and technologies in these disciplines.
- Students must demonstrate facility in applying the methods of scientific inquiry, including observation, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis.
- Students will have the ability to engage the biology literature and to communicate scientific information verbally and/or in writing.