X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Microbiology (MICR)

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science

Microbiology programs are designed to give students a good understanding of microorganisms, including diversity, ecology, physiology, molecular genetics, current approaches in bacterial genomics/proteomics, and microbial associations with animal hosts and the environments. Such knowledge will provide the basis for further work with microbes in medicine, agricultural industries (including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage) and the environment (surveillance and bioremediation).

Students can take the B.Sc. program with a Major or a Minor in Microbiology, or combine the minor with another major. Students should plan their programs in consultation with the microbiology faculty advisor. As course offerings may change during the program, students are strongly encouraged to review their plans at least once a year with their advisors, and to check the departmental website for program news.

Major (Honours Program)

Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major must consult the Faculty Advisor. A total of 20.00 credits is required to complete the major.

Semester 1
BIOL*1030 [0.50] Biology I
CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I
MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I
PHYS*1070 [0.50] Introductory Physics for Life Sciences
0.50 electives
Students who are admitted deficient in one OAC/4U course in Biology, Chemistry or Physics must take the equivalent introductory course in first semester. The first-year science core in that subject should be completed by Semester 3.
Semester 2
BIOL*1040 [0.50] Biology II
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
PHYS*1080 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences
One mathematics/computer course from:
CIS*1200 [0.50] Introduction to Computing
CIS*1500 [0.50] Introduction to Programming
MATH*2080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus II
0.50 electives
Semester 3
BIOC*2580 [0.50] Introductory Biochemistry
MBG*2000 [0.50] Introductory Genetics
MICR*2020 [0.50] Microbial Interactions and Associations
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
0.50 electives
Semester 4
BIOL*2210 [0.50] Introductory Cell Biology
MBG*2020 [0.50] Introductory Molecular Biology
MICR*2030 [0.50] Microbial Growth
1.00 electives
Semester 5
BIOC*3560 [0.50] Structure and Function in Biochemistry
MBG*3080 [0.50] Bacterial Genetics
MICR*3120 [0.50] Systematic Bacteriology
MICR*3230 [0.50] Immunology I
MICR*3330 [0.50] World of Viruses
Semester 6
BIOL*3050 [0.50] Mycology
MBG*3350 [0.75] Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology I
MICR*3260 [0.50] Microbial Adaptation and Development
0.75 electives
Semester 7
2.50 electives or restricted electives which can include MICR*4310
Semester 8
2.50 electives or restricted electives which can include MICR*4320
Elective and Restricted Elective Credits

2.00 elective credits must be from the Arts and Social Sciences.

2.50 restricted elective credits of which 1.00 credit must be at the 4000 level.

A minimum of 6.00 science credits must be at the 3000/4000 level of which at least 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level (including the 1.00 restricted elective credit).

Restricted Electives
BIOC*4540 [0.50] Enzymology
BIOC*4580 [0.50] Membrane Biochemistry
BIOL*4050 [0.50] Advanced Eukaryotic Microbiology
FOOD*3230 [0.75] Food Microbiology
FOOD*3260 [0.50] Industrial Microbiology
FOOD*4400 [0.50] Dairy Processing
MCB*4080 [0.50] Applied Microbiology and Biochemistry
MICR*3220 [0.50] Plant Microbiology
MICR*3270 [0.50] Microbial Cell Biology
MICR*4010 [0.50] Pathogenic Bacteriology
MICR*4230 [0.50] Immunology II
MICR*4240 [0.50] Topics in Microbiology
MICR*4280 [0.50] Microbial Ecology
MICR*4310 [1.00] Research Project I
MICR*4320 [1.00] Research Project II
MICR*4330 [0.50] Molecular Virology
MICR*4430 [0.50] Medical Virology
One of:
MICR*4140 [0.50] Soil Microbiology and Biotechnology
MICR*4180 [0.50] Microbial Processes in Environmental Management

Minor (Honours Program)

The minor in Microbiology consists of the following 5.25 credits:

2.25 credits including:
BIOC*3560 [0.50] Structure and Function in Biochemistry
MBG*3350 [0.75] Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology I
MICR*2020 [0.50] Microbial Interactions and Associations
MICR*2030 [0.50] Microbial Growth
2.00 credits from:
BIOL*3050 [0.50] Mycology
FOOD*3230 [0.75] Food Microbiology
FOOD*3260 [0.50] Industrial Microbiology
MBG*2020 [0.50] Introductory Molecular Biology
MBG*3080 [0.50] Bacterial Genetics
MICR*3120 [0.50] Systematic Bacteriology
MICR*3220 [0.50] Plant Microbiology
MICR*3230 [0.50] Immunology I
MICR*3260 [0.50] Microbial Adaptation and Development
MICR*3270 [0.50] Microbial Cell Biology
MICR*3330 [0.50] World of Viruses
MICR*4140 [0.50] Soil Microbiology and Biotechnology
MICR*4180 [0.50] Microbial Processes in Environmental Management

1.00 credits from:

BIOL*4050 [0.50] Advanced Eukaryotic Microbiology
MCB*4080 [0.50] Applied Microbiology and Biochemistry
MICR*4010 [0.50] Pathogenic Bacteriology
MICR*4230 [0.50] Immunology II
MICR*4280 [0.50] Microbial Ecology
MICR*4330 [0.50] Molecular Virology
MICR*4430 [0.50] Medical Virology
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1

Canada
519-824-4120