Students entering the microbiology program typically have interests in science, the environment, or the health professions. High school preparation should include a solid background in mathematics and introductory classes in biology and/or chemistry.
Admission into the Major
Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students may declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama. The department recommends that students declare a microbiology major as soon as possible.
Special Opportunities
The Biological Sciences Honors Program is available to students majoring in either biology or microbiology after the completion of 16 hours of biological science courses with at least a 3.4 GPA overall and in BSC courses. Admission into the program is made through an application that is submitted to the undergraduate program coordinator. Requirements for the program include: four to eight hours of BSC 390 Honors Thesis Research, maintenance of a 3.4 GPA in BSC courses and overall, and submission and defense of an acceptable honors thesis. Additional details are available in the office of the Department of Biological Sciences.
Accelerated Master's Program
The Department of Biological Sciences also participates in the Accelerated Master's Program, which allows highly motivated students to pursue closely integrated undergraduate and graduate programs that may lead to the simultaneous completion of requirements for both master's and bachelor's degrees. Students usually apply for admission prior to the junior or senior year. For more information about the Accelerated Master's Program visit graduate.ua.edu or consult The University of Alabama graduate catalog.
Students earning the bachelor of science in microbiology degree must complete all University, College and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements and other sufficient credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
| Code and Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Principles Of Biology I
and Laboratory Biology I | |
| Honors General Biology I | |
| 4 |
| Principles Biology II
and Laboratory Biology II | |
| Honors Gen Biology II | |
| BSC 300 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BSC 310 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BSC 312 | Microbiology Lab | 2 |
| BSC 311 | Microbiology II | 3 |
| 19 |
| 18 |
| 18 |
| |
| CH 100 or | General Chemistry I - Plus | 4 or 5 |
| CH 101 or | General Chemistry |
| CH 117 | Honors General Chemistry |
| CH 102 or | General Chemistry | 4 |
| CH 118 | Honors General Chemistry |
| CH 231 | Elem Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CH 232
& CH 237 | Elem Organic Chem II
and Elem Organic Chem Lab | 5 |
| MATH 125 or | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 145 | Honors Calculus I |
| 4 |
| General Physics I | |
| General Physics W/Calc I | |
| Honors Gen Ph W/Calculus | |
| 4 |
| General Physics II | |
| General Physics W/Calc II | |
| Honors Gen Ph W/Calculus II | |
| 28-29 |
| |
| Honors Thesis Research | |
| Tutorial In Biol Science | |
| Undergraduate Research | |
| Presentation of UG Research | |
| Intro To Bsc Instruction | |
| Honors Bsc Instruction | |
| Total Hours | 65-66 |
Electives
Other BSC courses must be selected from the following:
These hours must include two laboratories to be selected from:
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Required Minor
The microbiology major does not require a minor.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for all BSC courses at the 300- and 400-level must be passed with a minimum grade of C-.
Restrictions on course attempts
No undergraduate course offered by the Department of Biological Sciences may be attempted more than three times. Mid-semester withdrawal (any withdrawal that results in a final grade of W) is not considered an attempt. Students who, in three attempts, fail to pass a required course or fail to make a C- or better in a Biology course that is a prerequisite for a required upper level course may no longer major in Microbiology.
A major in microbiology prepares students for a wide range of employment opportunities in clinical and public health fields, biotechnology, environmentally related fields, and industries concerning food, water quality, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment and supplies.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Recent graduates have worked in entry-level industrial jobs; clinical-medical laboratories; and local, state, or federal government agencies. Others have worked in non-laboratory jobs selling pharmaceuticals and laboratory supplies and equipment used in research facilities, hospitals, and public health areas. Some graduates go into a professional school (e.g., medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, and public health) and others to graduate school for the master's degree, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or Doctor of Science (ScD).
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Physician, pharmacist, optometrist, veterinarian, laboratory technician, teacher, professor, public health officer, pharmaceutical representative
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
