{"id":9004,"date":"2026-02-05T15:11:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T21:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/biology\/?page_id=9004"},"modified":"2026-02-06T16:16:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T22:16:44","slug":"major-in-microbiology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/biology\/students\/undergraduate\/declare-your-major\/major-in-microbiology\/","title":{"rendered":"Major in Microbiology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi) and viruses. The Department offers a BS in Microbiology with research opportunities to conduct original research and investigate different aspects of microbial structure and function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"student<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Microorganisms were the first living things on earth, and they remain the most abundant and the most diverse of all organisms. They can cause diseases of plants, animals and humans; they play critical roles in biogeochemical cycles and bioremediation; and they are important in the food and biotechnology industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a microbiologist, students will be on the cutting edge of developments in public health, industrial production processes, biotechnology, and drug discovery. The Microbiology major prepares students for a variety of careers in the fields of microbiology, virology, molecular biology, biotechnology, and health related professions, for graduate studies in medical microbiology, industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology, microbial biotechnology, and molecular biology, and for professional studies in pharmacy, dentistry, and medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Microbiology requires 34 credits. These consist of Bio Sci 150, Bio Sci 152, and 26 credits in courses at or above 300 level. Please review the Microbiology BS requirements<\/a> for more information. As a Letters & Science student, you are also expected to\u00a0take additional courses in\u00a0natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to satisfy university-wide general education requirements. In addition, you will take classes in formal reasoning, international awareness, and research to satisfy the College of Letters & Science breadth requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that you fulfill the\u00a0requirements for the BS degree in microbiology in a timely fashion, it is\u00a0very important to meet with your Letters & Science advisor<\/a>\u00a0and a microbiology faculty advisor<\/a> at least once a semester to make sure you are on-track.\u00a0Please note, however, that some classes may fulfill\u00a0more than one requirement and with early planning, you can save yourself time and money. Declare your major today to be assigned a Microbiology faculty advisor, who will help you prepare your four-year plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to complete your declaration, you will need to complete Foundations in Biological Sciences I (Bio Sci 150), and pass with a C or better. To initiate your declaration of a Microbiology major, fill out and submit <\/u>the\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nDeclare Your Major<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You will be contacted by the Departmental Coordinator who will assist you in the process of completing your declaration of major\/minor and connecting you with a faculty advisor in your specific area of interest within the biological sciences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi) and viruses. The Department offers a BS in Microbiology with research opportunities to conduct original research and investigate different aspects of microbial structure and function. 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