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University of Pittsburgh    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 29, 2024
 
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Microbiology, BS


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Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, including viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists. Microorganisms are important for both the good that they do (nutrient cycling, production of antibiotics, bioremediation, food production) and the bad (food poisoning, infectious diseases, epidemics). Our program provides intensive training in modern microbiology, including cutting-edge research in genomics and genetic engineering.

Microbiologists pursue careers in many fields, including agricultural, environmental, food, and industrial microbiology; public health; resource management; basic research; education; and pharmaceuticals. Jobs in all of these fields are available at the BS level as well as the MS and PhD levels. The microbiology major also incorporates the requirements expected for admission to medical, dental, and other health professional schools, and to graduate schools in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and related disciplines.

Requirements for the Microbiology Major are described below.

Biological Sciences courses


Majors must complete a minimum of 32 credits of Biological Sciences coursework as described below.

Microbiology elective courses


Choose six to seven credits of courses from the following lists. At least one of the selected courses must be a lab or field course.

Grade requirements


  • Each required BIOSC course for the major must be completed with a grade of C or better.
  • The elective courses for the major must also be completed with a grade of C or better.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all departmental courses taken is required for graduation. If a C- or lower is earned in an elective course for the major but is not repeated, the course will be used to calculate the departmental GPA but will not be counted toward the 32 credits required for the major.
  • Students must also earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the co-requisite courses. A passing grade of C- or lower in a co-requisite course can be accepted if balanced by a higher grade in another co-requisite course so that the co-requisite GPA is 2.0 or higher. Exceptions: CHEM 0110 and CHEM 0120 have to be C or better to declare the major; PHYS 0110/0174 has to be C or better to enroll in PHYS 0111/0175; MATH 0220 has to be C or better to enroll in MATH 0230.
  • Only one BIOSC course may be taken on a Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) basis.

University Honors College equivalent courses may be substituted for required or elective courses.

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