Undergraduate Program

BS in Biological Sciences: Microbiology (BMB) Track

We require students to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the major, excluding allied field courses. See the advising page for information on how to declare your major, who your program advisor is, double majors, double degrees, petitioning for exceptions and more.

To begin the major declaration process for BS in Biological Sciences: Microbiology, please use this link to access our departmental form.

Major Requirements

Students planning to major in the biological sciences should take BIOL 110L and 111L (or 112L and 113L), and CHEM 131-132 in their first year, and BIOL 198 or 190 and CHEM 203/207 in the fall of their second year.

Introductory Courses (Three Courses)

Select one of the following:

• BIOL 110L: Principles of Biology I with Lab
• BIOL 112L: Perspectives of Biology I with Lab (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)

Select one of the following:

• BIOL 111L: Principles of Biology II with Lab
• BIOL 113L: Perspectives of Biology II with Lab (pre-requires AP biology exam score of 4 or 5)

And:

• BIOL 198/198P: Principles of Genetics with Lab

Laboratory Experience (Two Courses)

One half lab from UPBM laboratories list.*
Plus MBI 221W: Microbiology Lab

*BIOL 198P is highly recommended.

Advanced Courses (Five Courses)

Students are required to take MBI 220: Introduction to Microbiology.

Plus one of the following:

• BIOL 250: Introduction to Biochemistry
• BIOL 252: Principles of Biochemistry (not offered Spring 2026)

Plus three advanced electives:

• MBI 404: Introduction to Emerging Pathogens
• MBI 414: Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
• MBI 421: Microbial Physiology and Genetics
• MBI 456: General Virology
• MBI 473: Immunology

Diversification Elective (One Course)

Select one course from the BMB diversification electives list. This course must be approved by the track coordinator and should be outside of the BMB major track.

Ancillary Requirements (Nine Courses with Indicated Labs)

Both of the following general chemistry courses:

• CHEM 131: Chemical Concepts I with Lab
• CHEM 132: Chemical Concepts II with Lab

One of the following organic chemistry I courses:

• CHEM 203/207: Organic Chemistry I with Lab
• CHEM 171/173: First Year Organic Chemistry I with Lab

One of the following organic chemistry II courses:

• CHEM 204/208: Organic Chemistry II with Lab
• CHEM 172/208 or 210: First Year Organic Chemistry with Lab

Note: Satisfactory completion of CHEM 171/173 and 172/208 or 210 first year organic chemistry series with labs in conjunction with AP credit for CHEM 131 fulfills the chemistry requirements. However, some medical and other post-graduate programs may require four semesters of college chemistry. For students who need another chemistry course, the chemistry department suggests CHEM 211, Inorganic Chemistry.

One of the following physics I courses:

• PHYS 113: General Physics I with Lab
• PHYS 121: Mechanics with Lab
• PHYS 141: Mechanics (Honors) with Lab

One of the following physics II courses:

• PHYS 114: General Physics II with Lab
• PHYS 122: Electricity and Magnetism with Lab
• PHYS 142: Electricity and Magnetism (Honors) with Lab

One of the following calculus I courses:

• MATH 141: Calculus I
• MATH 161: Calculus IA
• MATH 171Q: Honors Calculus I

One of the following calculus II courses:

• MATH 142: Calculus II
• MATH 162: Calculus IIA
• MATH 172Q: Honors Calculus II

One of the following ancillary electives:

• Math: MATH 164, 165, 235 or other upper-level math with advisor approval (MATH 143 is not acceptable)
• Statistics: BIOL 214, STAT AP, 180 (formerly Stat 212), 190 (formerly Stat 213), 201 or other upper-level statistics course with advisor approval (STAT 211 is not acceptable)
• Computer programming: BIOL 208, CSC 161, 170, 171, ECE 114 or other computer programming course with advisor approval

Upper-Level Writing (ULW) Requirement (Two Courses)

Students must take MBI 221W: Introduction to Microbiology, plus one biology or natural sciences ULW course to fulfill their upper-level writing requirement.

See upper-level writing requirement for more information on which courses satisfy this requirement.