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 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 may wish to consult the Faculty Advisor.

Semester 1
BIOL*1090 [0.50] Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I
MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I
PHYS*1080 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences
0.50 Liberal Education electives

Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS

Semester 2
BIOL*1070 [0.50] Discovering Biodiversity
BIOL*1080 [0.50] Biological Concepts of Health
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
PHYS*1070 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences II
0.50 Liberal Education electives
Semester 3
BIOC*2580 [0.50] Introduction to Biochemistry
MBG*2040 [0.50] Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
MICR*2420 [0.50] Introduction to Microbiology
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
0.50 Liberal Education electives
Semester 4
BIOC*3560 [0.50] Structure and Function in Biochemistry
MCB*2050 [0.50] Molecular Biology of the Cell
MICR*2430 [0.50] Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology
0.50 electives
0.50 Liberal Education electives
Semester 5
MICR*3240 [0.50] Microbial Physiology and Genetics
MICR*3280 [0.50] Microbial Cell Biology
MICR*3420 [0.50] Microbial Diversity and Ecology
1.00 electives or restricted electives
Semester 6
MBG*3350 [0.75] Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology
MICR*3430 [0.75] Advanced Methods in Microbiology
A minimum of 1.00 electives or restricted electives
Semester 7
2.50 electives or restricted electives which can include MCB*4500
Semester 8
2.50 electives or restricted electives which can include MCB*4510

Restricted Electives

  1. A minimum of 2.00 credits of Liberal Education electives is required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/

  2. 3.50 restricted elective credits of which 1.00 credits must be at the 4000 level.

    BIOC*4540 [0.75] Enzymology
    BIOC*4580 [0.50] Membrane Biochemistry
    ENVS*3290 [0.50] Waterborne Disease Ecology
    FOOD*3230 [0.75] Food Microbiology
    FOOD*3240 [0.50] Food Microbiology
    FOOD*3260 [0.50] Industrial Microbiology
    FOOD*3270 [0.50] Industrial Microbiology
    FOOD*4400 [0.50] Dairy Processing
    MBG*3040 [0.50] Molecular Biology of the Gene
    MBG*4040 [0.50] Genetics and Molecular Biology of Development
    MBG*4110 [0.50] Epigenetics
    MBG*4240 [0.50] Applied Molecular Genetics in Medicine and Biotechnology
    MCB*3010 [0.50] Dynamics of Cell Function and Signaling
    MCB*4500 [1.00] Research Project in Molecular & Cellular Biology I
    MCB*4510 [1.00] Research Project in Molecular & Cellular Biology
    MCB*4600 [0.50] Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
    MICR*3090 [0.50] Mycology
    MICR*3220 [0.50] Plant Microbiology
    MICR*3230 [0.50] Immunology
    MICR*3330 [0.50] World of Viruses
    MICR*4010 [0.50] Pathogenic Microbiology
    MICR*4330 [0.50] Molecular Virology
    MICR*4430 [0.50] Medical Virology
    MICR*4530 [0.50] Immunology II
    PATH*3040 [0.50] Principles of Parasitology

Credit Summary (20.00 Total Credits)

4.00 - First year science core

6.50 - Required science courses semesters 3 - 8

3.50 - Restricted electives (#2 in restricted electives list)

2.00 - Approved Science electives

2.00 - Liberal Education electives (#1 in restricted electives list)

2.00 - Free electives - any approved electives for B.Sc. students.

Of the total credits required, students are required to complete 16.00 credits in science of which a minimum of 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level and an additional 4.00 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Minor (Honours Program)

The minor in Microbiology consists of the following 5.00 credits including:

BIOC*3560 [0.50] Structure and Function in Biochemistry
MICR*2420 [0.50] Introduction to Microbiology
MICR*2430 [0.50] Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology
A minimum of 2.50 credits from:
FOOD*3230 [0.75] Food Microbiology
FOOD*3240 [0.50] Food Microbiology
FOOD*3260 [0.50] Industrial Microbiology
FOOD*3270 [0.50] Industrial Microbiology
MBG*2040 [0.50] Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
MBG*3040 [0.50] Molecular Biology of the Gene
MBG*3350 [0.75] Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology
MBG*4040 [0.50] Genetics and Molecular Biology of Development
MBG*4110 [0.50] Epigenetics
MBG*4240 [0.50] Applied Molecular Genetics in Medicine and Biotechnology
MICR*3090 [0.50] Mycology
MICR*3220 [0.50] Plant Microbiology
MICR*3230 [0.50] Immunology
MICR*3240 [0.50] Microbial Physiology and Genetics
MICR*3280 [0.50] Microbial Cell Biology
MICR*3330 [0.50] World of Viruses
MICR*3420 [0.50] Microbial Diversity and Ecology
MICR*3430 [0.75] Advanced Methods in Microbiology

1.00 credits from:

MCB*4600 [0.50] Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
MICR*4010 [0.50] Pathogenic Microbiology
MICR*4330 [0.50] Molecular Virology
MICR*4430 [0.50] Medical Virology
MICR*4530 [0.50] Immunology II
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120