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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2024-2025

Microbiology (BS)

This is an archived copy of the 2024-2025 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit .

Microbiology is concerned with the growth and development, physiology, classification, ecology, genetics, and other aspects of the life process of an array of microscopic, generally single-celled, organisms and viruses. These organisms frequently serve as model systems for elucidation of fundamental processes that are common to all living cells. Most of the major discoveries that have produced spectacular advances in biology and genomic science during the past decade have resulted from studies of microbial systems. Future developments in biotechnology, production of food and fuel, and human and animal health will rely heavily on understanding microbial processes.

There are 4 avenues to earning a B.S. in Microbiology. Students can opt for a general curriculum (MBIO) or can choose to focus in a particular area by selecting one of three areas of concentration: Microbial Biotechnology (MBIO-MT) or Microbial Research (MBIO-MR) or Microbial Health Sciences (MBIO-HS). These concentrations mirror the three most common career paths of Microbiology majors: work in research laboratories and production facilities, further study in graduate school (at the Masters or Doctoral level), and further study in professional schools such as medical and dental schools.

Plan Requirements

Orientation
³¢³§°äÌý103Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences1
´Ç°ùÌý²ÑµþÌý103 Introductory Topics in Microbiology
Communication
·¡±·³ÒÌý333Communication for Science and Research 13
Mathematical Sciences
²Ñ´¡Ìý131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 13
´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡Ìý141 Calculus I
³§°ÕÌý311Introduction to Statistics 13
´Ç°ùÌý³§°ÕÌý371 Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory
Natural and Physical Sciences
°ä±áÌý101
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1
4
°ä±áÌý201
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý202
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1
4
°ä±áÌý221
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý222
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab 1
4
°ä±áÌý223
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý224
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab 1
4
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 14
µþ±õ°¿Ìý183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 14
Select one of the following: 14
¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics I
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
College Physics I
Select one of the following: 14
¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics II
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
College Physics II
Major Requirements
³¢³§°äÌý101Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 12
²ÑµþÌý351
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý²ÑµþÌý354
General Microbiology
and Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab 1
4
²ÑµþÌý411
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý²ÑµþÌý412
Medical Microbiology
and Medical Microbiology Laboratory 1
4
²ÑµþÌý414Microbial Metabolic Regulation 13
²ÑµþÌý451
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý²ÑµþÌý452
Microbial Diversity
and Microbial Diversity Lab 1
4
²ÑµþÌý480Current Issues in Microbiology 11
³Ò±·Ìý311Principles of Genetics 14
µþ°ä±áÌý451Principles of Biochemistry 14
Gene Expression 13
Biochemistry of Gene Expression
Molecular Genetics
Cell/Physiology 13
Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems
Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems
Cell Biology
Plant Physiology
Laboratory Elective 13
Microbiology Electives 19
GEP Courses
·¡±·³ÒÌý101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Elective3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 29
Total Hours119
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Laboratory Elective

BBS 426/526/µþ·¡°äÌý426/526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
µþ°ä±áÌý452Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory2
µþ·¡°äÌý436Introduction to Downstream Process Development2
µþ·¡°äÌý4403
µþ·¡°äÌý4413
µþ·¡°äÌý462Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
µþ·¡°äÌý463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
µþ·¡°äÌý475Global Regulatory Affairs for Medical Products3
µþ·¡°äÌý480cGMP Fermentation Operations2
µþ·¡°äÌý483Tissue Engineering Technologies2
µþ·¡°äÌý485cGMP Downstream Operations2
µþ·¡°äÌý488Animal Cell Culture Engineering2
µþ·¡°äÌý495Special Topics in Biomanufacturing1-4
µþ·¡°äÌý497Biomanufacturing Research Projects1-3
µþ±õ°ÕÌý402Biotechnology Networking and Professional Development1
µþ±õ°ÕÌý410Manipulation of Recombinant DNA4
µþ±õ°ÕÌý4622
µþ±õ°ÕÌý463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý464Protein Purification2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý465Real-time PCR Techniques2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý466Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý467PCR and DNA Fingerprinting2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý4682
µþ±õ°ÕÌý471RNA Interference and Model Organisms2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý473Protein Interactions2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý474Plant Genetic Engineering2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý476Applied Bioinformatics2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý477Metagenomics2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý4782
µþ±õ°ÕÌý479High-Throughput Discovery2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý480Yeast Metabolic Engineering2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý481Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý492External Learning Experience1-6
µþ±õ°ÕÌý493Special Problems in Biotechnology1-6
µþ±õ°ÕÌý495Special Topics in Biotechnology1-3
µþ²Ñ·¡Ìý483Tissue Engineering Technologies2
°ä±á·¡Ìý462Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
°ä±á·¡Ìý463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
°ä±á·¡Ìý488Animal Cell Culture Engineering2
¹ó³§Ìý426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
³Ò±·Ìý312Elementary Genetics Laboratory1
²ÑµþÌý360Scientific Inquiry in Microbiology: At the Bench3
²ÑµþÌý420Fundamentals of Microbial Cell Biotransformations2
±ÊµþÌý481Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation2
±Ê°¿Ìý466Animal Cell Culture Techniques2

Microbiology Electives

µþµþ³§Ìý426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
µþµþ³§Ìý526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
µþ·¡°äÌý426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
µþ·¡°äÌý463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
µþ·¡°äÌý480cGMP Fermentation Operations2
µþ·¡°äÌý526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
µþ·¡°äÌý563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
µþ·¡°äÌý580cGMP Fermentation Operations2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý210Phage Hunters3
µþ±õ°ÕÌý211Phage Genomics2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý410Manipulation of Recombinant DNA4
µþ±õ°ÕÌý463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý466Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
µþ±õ°ÕÌý566Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
µþ³§°äÌý493Research Experience1-3
°ä±á·¡Ìý463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
°ä±á·¡Ìý563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
¹ó³§Ìý405Food Microbiology3
¹ó³§Ìý406Food Microbiology Lab1
¹ó³§Ìý426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
¹ó³§Ìý505Food Microbiology3
¹ó³§Ìý506Food Microbiology Lab1
¹ó³§Ìý526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
²ÑµþÌý210Phage Hunters3
²ÑµþÌý211Phage Genomics2
²ÑµþÌý405Food Microbiology3
²ÑµþÌý406Food Microbiology Lab1
²ÑµþÌý420Fundamentals of Microbial Cell Biotransformations2
²ÑµþÌý435Bacterial Pathogenesis3
²ÑµþÌý441Immunology3
²ÑµþÌý455Microbial Biotechnology3
²ÑµþÌý461Molecular Virology3
²ÑµþÌý470Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases3
²ÑµþÌý492External Learning Experience1-6
²ÑµþÌý505Food Microbiology3
²ÑµþÌý506Food Microbiology Lab1
²ÑµþÌý520Fundamentals of Microbial Cell Biotransformations2
²ÑµþÌý532Soil Microbiology4
²ÑµþÌý535Bacterial Pathogenesis3
±Ê°¿Ìý466Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
±Ê°¿Ìý566Animal Cell Culture Techniques2
³§³§°äÌý532Soil Microbiology4

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 4
°ä±áÌý101
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1
4
³¢³§°äÌý101 Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 2
²Ñ´¡Ìý131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 3
²ÑµþÌý103 Introductory Topics in Microbiology 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
µþ±õ°¿Ìý183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 4
°ä±áÌý221
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý222
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab 1
4
·¡±·³ÒÌý101 Academic Writing and Research 4
Free Elective 3
ÌýHours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
°ä±áÌý223
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý224
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab 1
4
±Ê³ÛÌý211 College Physics I 1 4
GEP Social Sciences 3
²ÑµþÌý351 General Microbiology 1 3
²ÑµþÌý354 Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab 1 1
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
°ä±áÌý201
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý202
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1
4
±Ê³ÛÌý212 College Physics II 1 4
GEP Humanities 3
²ÑµþÌý411
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý²ÑµþÌý412
Medical Microbiology
and Medical Microbiology Laboratory
4
ÌýHours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
·¡±·³ÒÌý333 Communication for Science and Research 3
³Ò±·Ìý311 Principles of Genetics 1 4
GEP Social Sciences 3
³§°ÕÌý311 Introduction to Statistics 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ÌýHours14
Spring Semester
Cell/Physiology Elective 1 3
µþ°ä±áÌý451 Principles of Biochemistry 1 4
Laboratory Elective 1 3
GEP Elective 3
Microbiology Elective 1 3
ÌýHours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
²ÑµþÌý414 Microbial Metabolic Regulation 1 3
²ÑµþÌý451 Microbial Diversity 1 3
Microbiology Elective 1 3
²ÑµþÌý452 Microbial Diversity Lab 1 2
GEP Humanities 3
²ÑµþÌý480 Current Issues in Microbiology 1 1
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
Microbiology Elective 1 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Gene Expression Elective 1 3
ÌýHours15
ÌýTotal Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

Career Opportunities

Many students majoring in the Department of Biological Sciences take advantage of scholarship and honors programs available at NC State, including the ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Honors Program and the ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Scholars Program.Ìý In addition, we offer a discipline-based Undergraduate Honors Program in Biological Sciences (DBS Honors Program).Ìý The DBS Honors Program requires students to design a challenging program of advanced study, including eight credits of honors coursework in biology and at least two semesters of research or teaching scholarship.Ìý Participants write an honors thesis and are required to present their scholarly work at a local, regional, or national meeting.Ìý Invitations to join the DBS Honors Program are sent in the first three weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters.ÌýÌýStudents in any major in the Department of Biological Sciences who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 after completing 30-65 credit hours at NC State will receive an invitation to join the DBS Honors Program; transfer students in any of our majors who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 in 15 credit hours at NC State also will receive an invitation.ÌýÌý

Students who graduate from the Department of Biological Sciences are well prepared for employment in various government agencies and private industries. Graduates may continue their education with studies leading to advanced degrees in many areas of the biological sciences, including cell biology, ecology, microbiology, genetics, zoology, neurobiology, and biomedical disciplines. Many choose to seek advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, and other health-related fields. Students who plan to seek certification for pre-college teaching may want to pursue a second major in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education.

Career Titles

  • Biochemist
  • Biologist
  • Biology Professor
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biophysicist
  • Dermatologist (MD)
  • Epidemiologists
  • Family Practitioner (MD)
  • Food & Drug Inspector
  • Food Technologist
  • Forensic Science Technicians
  • General Internists (MD)
  • Geneticist
  • Gynecologist (MD)
  • Medical Technologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Obstetrician (MD)
  • Pathologist (MD)
  • Pediatrician (MD)
  • Pharmacologist
  • Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
  • Surgeons (MD)
  • Surgical Assistants
  • Toxicologist
  • Water Pollution Control Inspector

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