Microbiology Major B.S.
- Career pathways in research and product development (e.g., immunology, vaccines, antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology), food and water quality control, microbial ecology, and clinical laboratory science
- Preparation for graduate studies in medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, microbiology, or molecular biology
Major code: BS0411
Faculty Contact: Laura Saltman
Program Overview
Graduates of this program are also prepared for further graduate studies in medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, microbiology, or molecular biology. With current interest and advances in molecular biology and genetics, emerging pathogens, such as HIV and food-borne illness, the career opportunities and outlook are very good.
Careers and Graduate School
Graduates of this program have the necessary background and extensive lab experience to pursue a variety of careers in the areas of: research and product development (e.g., immunology, vaccines, antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology), food and water quality control, microbial ecology, and clinical laboratory science.
Graduates of this program also are prepared for further graduate studies in medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, microbiology, or molecular biology.
With renewed need for food and water quality control, increased retirements in the clinical laboratory science profession, many jobs in the biotechnology industry and the need to develop new antimicrobial agents, the career opportunities are very good.
Students in this program are encouraged to participate in research opportunities their junior-senior years to prepare for a successful career in research and development. See more information on a career in clinical laboratory science.
Browse through dozens of Internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO's key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
Admissions Information
First year applicants: "Strong preparation in mathematics and science as evidenced by coursework."
Transfer applicants: "Applicants must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and have completed the equivalent of BIOS 1700 and 1705."
Degree Requirements
Major Hours Requirement
The biological science major requires a minimum of 125 hours.
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Biological Sciences Requirements
Complete a total of 38 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including all of the requirements below. Note: 1000- and 2000-level courses not specifically required by the major will not count toward the BIOS hours requirement, but they may be used to fulfill University graduation requirements.
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1.0
- BIOS 3100 - General Genetics Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3105 - Laboratory Genetics Credit Hours: 2.0
- BIOS 3200 - Fundamentals of Animal Cell Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 3210 - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 4.0
- BIOS 3300 - Principles of Evolution Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4260 - Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4630 - Biological Chemistry Credit Hours: 3.0
- BIOS 4635 - Biological Chemistry Laboratory Credit Hours: 2.0
- BIOS 4860 - Immunology Credit Hours: 2.0
- BIOS 4865 - Immunology Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
Microbiology Electives
Complete two of the following courses:
- BIOS 3205 - Cell and Microbiology Techniques Credit Hours: 2.0 BIOS 4230 - Pathogenic Bacteriology Credit Hours: 2.0 BIOS 4240 - Virology Credit Hours: 3.0 BIOS 4270 - Mechanisms of Gene Regulation Credit Hours: 3.0 BIOS 4410 - Parasitology Credit Hours: 2.0 BIOS 4440 - Tropical Disease Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
Extradepartmental Requirements
Complete four sub-requirements.
Sub-Requirement 1: Chemistry
Complete the following courses:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 1520 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4.0
- CHEM 3050 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3.0
- CHEM 3060 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3.0
Sub-Requirement 2: Mathematics
Complete the following course:
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4.0
Sub-Requirement 3: Physics
Complete one of the following course group options:
Introduction to Physics course group option
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 2001 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4.0
- PHYS 2002 - Introduction to Physics Credit Hours: 4.0
General Physics course group option
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 2051 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
- PHYS 2052 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
Sub-Requirement 4: Statistics
Complete one of the following:
- MATH 2500 - Introduction to Statistics Credit Hours: 4.0
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4.0