College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
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Departments Biological Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

(BIOLBS09) 2007-08

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms and their interactions with people and the environment. This degree, with the inclusion of appropriate classes, may be utilized by pre-professional students who are preparing for medical, dental, pharmacy, and veterinary school. A major in microbiology prepares students for a wide range of employment opportunities in clinical and public health fields, genetic engineering, environmentally related fields, and industries concerning food, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment and supplies. There is a core of courses for each of these varied educational and employment opportunities and specific programs can be arranged by counseling with microbiology advisors in the Department. This undergraduate major is recognized by the American Society for Microbiology as meeting their core curriculum for the baccalaureate degree program in microbiology, if students use MICR 471 as an elective. This major requires 91-94 units, of which 43-44 are in the lower division and 48 are in upper division.

Roadmap to graduation for Biology Majors

Lower Division: BIOL 211A,B, 260; CHEM 111A,B; MATH 119A or 122; MICR 211; PHYS 100A,B. The following courses do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this major: BIOL 153, 200, 200L, 204, 205, 207, 208, MICR 101, and 200.
Upper Division: CHEM 320A,B or all four of 322A,B, 323A,B; CHEM 441A,B; BIOL 340; MICR 320, 355, 371, 372, 430, 471, and a minimum of 11 additional elective units chosen from: BIOL 473, 477; MICR 320L, 322, 355L, 423, 429, 430L, 452, 473, 480, 490, 490L, 495, and 496. Those students seeking a career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist are encouraged to take MICR 423, 430L, 320L, and 452. The following courses do not meet any specific or elective requirements for this major: BIOL 301, 303, 304, 306, 309I, MICR 300I, and NSCI 492.


CSULB requires a “C” average in all upper division courses in the major taken at CSULB. For students who do not meet this requirement, the Department of Biological Sciences will allow graduation if they earn at least a “C” the last time they complete each upper division course in their major at CSULB.