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 .
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
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: 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.
Diversification Electives List
Check the available via the for prerequisites and official course descriptions.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact your major advisor for consultation on course selections and approval of other biological sciences courses not listed.
Fall
- BIOL 202: Molecular Biology
- BIOL 204: Principles of Human Physiology
- BIOL 220: Advanced Cell Biology
- BIOL 222: Biology of Aging
- BIOL 225: Lab in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- BIOL 226: Developmental Biology
- BIOL 228B: iGEM II (International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition Course Series)
- BIOL 257L: Applied Genomics
- BIOL 259L: Applied Population Biology
- BIOL 260: Animal Behavior
- BIOL 399: Communication Engagement Practicum (four-credit version only)
- IND 408: Advanced Biochemistry
- NSCI 201: Basic Neurobiology
- NSCI 241: Neurons, Circuits, and Systems
- NSCI 243: Neurochemical Foundations of Behavior
- NSCI 245: Sensory and Motor Neuroscience
- NSCI 251: Neurobiology of Sleep
Spring
- BIOL 205: Evolution
- BIOL 210: Molecular Cell Biology
- BIOL 217L: Principles of Human Anatomy (BIOL 217P lab required/should not take BIOL 217L if BME 258 is taken)
- BIOL 228A: iGEM I (International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition Course Series)
- BIOL 243: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
- BIOL 253L: Computational Biology
- BIOL 255: Behavioral Endocrinology
- BIOL 261W: Genetic Research A (four-credit version only)
- BIOL 263: Ecology
- BIOL 267: Human Evolutionary Genetics (Will not be offered spring 2026)
- BIOL 268: Lab in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
- BIOL 278: Biochemical Mechanisms of Cellular Processes
- BCH 308: Biochemical and Molecular Biology Techniques
- BCH 412: Advanced Topics in Biological Macromolecules
- BME 258: Human Anatomy (should not take BME 258 if BIOL 217L was taken)
- BME 468: Introduction to Structure and Analysis of Biomolecules
- CHEM/BIOL 275: Chemistry and Biochemistry of Poisons
- EESC 201: Evolution of the Earth
- EESC 220: Geobiology
- IND 443: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
- IND 447: Signal Transduction
- NSCI 203: Lab in Neurobiology
- NSCI 244: Neuroethology
- NSCI 245: Sensory and Motor Neuroscience
- NSCI 246: Biology of Mental Disorders
- NSCI 249: Developmental Neurobiology
- NSCI 250: Acquired Brain Disorders
- NSCI 252: Functional Neuroanatomy
- NSCI 415: Neuroscience of Neuroprosthetics