Microbiology Information | Microbiology Programs | Microbiology Courses
Microbiology
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Department Chair
Editte Gharakhanian
Department Office
Peterson Hall (PH) 1-109
Telephone/FAX
(562) 985-4806/(562) 985-8878
Website
www.csulb.edu/depts/biology
Faculty
Professors
Rajen S. Anand (Emeritus), James W. Archie, Judith A. Brusslan, L.K. (Vern) Eveland, Henry C. Fung, Charles P. Galt (Emeritus), Editte Gharakhanian, Carol A. Itatani, Balwant S. Khatra, Laura Kingsford, Lisa S. Klig, Steven L. Manley, Andrew Z. Mason, Alan C. Miller (Emeritus), Terrence A. Shuster (Emeritus), Toni L. Stanton (Emeritus)
Associate Professors
Flora Banuett, Elizabeth D. Eldon, David G. Huckaby, Kevin M. Kelley, Kay K. Lee-Fruman, Christopher G. Lowe, Dessie L. A. Underwood, Raymond R. Wilson, Jr.
Assistant Professors
Jesse G. Dillon, Esteban Fernandez-Juricic, Clifton V. Franklund, Peter J. Hodum, Simon Malcomber, Donna L. Marykwas, Bruno G. Pernet, Bryan C. Rourke, Kelly A. Young, Mason X. Zhang
Administrative Support Coordinator
Susan Suetsugu
Credential Advisor
Laura Henriques, James Kisiel
Undergraduate Advisors
General Biology and Biology Education – David G. Huckaby
Botany, Ecology, and Zoology – Dessie L. A. Underwood
Marine Biology – Gwen Goodmanlowe
Microbiology – L.K. (Vern) Eveland
Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology – Balwant S. Khatra
Graduate Advisor
Judith A. Brusslan
Honors in the Major Advisor
Vacant
Health Professions Advising Office (FO5-109)
Carol A. Itatani, Faculty Director
Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technology Advisor
Carol A. Itatani
Biotechnology Certificate Advisor
Lisa S. Klig
Students desiring information should contact the Department Office for referral to one of the faculty advisors.
The Biological Sciences include all of the areas of scientific endeavor centered around the general question of the nature of life. Such diverse areas as biochemistry, ecology, paleontology, and animal behavior are all part of the biological sciences. On this campus the biological sciences are distributed among three separate Departments in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The discipline of biochemistry is located in Chemistry and Biochemistry and the disciplines of invertebrate and plant paleontology are located in Geological Sciences. For information about the programs in these disciplines, consult the appropriate section of this Catalog. The remaining disciplines of the biological sciences represented in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are located in the Department of Biological Sciences, which offers five degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, a Master of Science in Biology, and a Master of Science in Microbiology. The B.S. in Biology has, in addition to a general option, six specialized options in Biology Education, Botany, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Physiology, and Zoology. See below for the specific requirements for each of these degrees and options.
The Department occupies facilities in five science buildings. Courses and student research in organismal biology and ecology are enhanced by a marine biology laboratory with an extensive seawater system, greenhouses, and research and teaching collections of algae, vascular plants, invertebrates (including insects), and vertebrates. Because the campus is near the ocean, mountains, and deserts, the Department is able to offer a number of field and laboratory courses in botany, ecology, entomology, marine biology, and vertebrate zoology. Courses and student research opportunities are available in biotechnology, experimental biology, and clinical laboratory science (medical technology). State-of-the-art facilities are available for graduate and undergraduate research in the W. M. Keck Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory and electron microscope facility.
The Department of Biological Sciences also participates in the Desert Studies Consortium and the Ocean Studies Institute. Information on the latter program is listed in this Catalog under Ocean Studies Institute.
The Richard B. Loomis Research Award
This annual departmental award provides supply and travel support for thesis research projects. Graduate students submit research proposals to the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee, which grants funding to the more meritorious proposals.
Linda Warren Graham Medical Technology Scholarship
The Linda Warren Graham Medical Technology Scholarship is available to senior microbiology majors who have been accepted into a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (or a Medical Technology) Internship program. Scholarship applications can be obtained from the Biological Sciences Department Office during the month of March prior to graduation.
Financial Support, Assistantships
The Department of Biological Sciences offers to graduate students a limited number of teaching associate and graduate assistant appointments. Forms requesting consideration for these appointments are available in the Department Graduate Office. Duties consist of approximately 20 hours per week devoted to preparation and/or instruction in general undergraduate laboratory classes. These appointments are limited to a maximum of six semesters per individual.
The Department also has a limited number of technical assistant positions as well as some hourly employment. Several members of the faculty have grants that provide for research assistantships. A number of scholarships are available through the University.
Graduate and Health Professional Preparation
In addition to preparing students for careers in teaching, industry, and government, the undergraduate programs in this Department provide preparation for advanced study at the graduate level and for entry into various health professional schools. Students should consider the degree requirements listed in the Catalog as minimal; some graduate schools, professional schools, or careers may require additional coursework in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biological sciences.
Students desiring entrance into a graduate school to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in some area of the biological sciences should determine the entrance requirements for the school(s) of interest early in their undergraduate years. Specifically, students contemplating graduate work in mathematically oriented areas of the biological sciences should consider taking more calculus (MATH 122, 123, 224, and 364A or 370A will substitute for MATH 119A and 119B) and those contemplating graduate work in chemically oriented areas should consider taking additional chemistry (CHEM 251; 320A,B; 377A,B; 441A,B).
Students desiring entrance into one of the various health-related professional schools including chiropractic, dentistry, medicine, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, podiatry, and veterinary, or to a graduate program in physical therapy, should consult with the Health Professions Advising Office in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FO5-109) for more information. Most of these schools do not require students to major in any particular discipline and many do not even require a bachelor’s degree; rather, they want students who have done well in their major and who also took the prerequisite courses required by that particular school.
Facilitated Enrollment into Classes
All entering students who declare a major in a degree program offered by this Department should participate in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Science Safari to Success (for first time freshmen) or EONS (Enrollment and Orientation in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics for transfer students) Program. These programs are held in June-July for those starting in the Fall Semester and in January for those starting in the Spring Semester. Department advisors will be available to provide an overview of the students’ chosen baccalaureate degree program, to assist with academic advisement, to provide information on the many career opportunities available, and to aid students in enrolling in classes. Contact the Jensen Student Access to Sciences and Mathematics Center (FO5-109) or Department Office for additional information.