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Admissions to the Microbiology [BA or BS (L&S)] has been suspended as of fall 2023, and the program will be discontinued as of fall 2027. Students interested in Microbiology can contact the Microbiology major advisors to discuss the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Microbiology major. For other questions, please contact CALS Academic Affairs.

Microbiology, the study of microorganisms, helps us understand our world and solve major problems. Microorganisms, or microbes, were the first life forms on Earth and influence our lives and our planet in innumerable ways. The field of microbiology is constantly expanding as we learn more about the role of microbes in infectious disease, environmental remediation, bioenergy, food safety, antibiotic resistance, biotechnology, and much more. Communities of microbes (or "microbiomes") are critically important in human health, global warming, agricultural yield, criminal justice, economic development, and other issues of national concern.

The microbiology major, offered by the Department of Bacteriology, is a rigorous path of study, providing a curriculum packed with deep knowledge on broad aspects of microbiology and emphasizing modern laboratory skills. The core courses focus on the diversity, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of microorganisms. A variety of elective courses provide the opportunity to study environmental microbiology, food microbiology, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, virology, microbiomes, and microbial biotechnology, as well as advanced topics in microbial genetics and physiology. In the instructional laboratory courses, students learn beginning through advanced laboratory techniques — gaining the type of hands-on experiences with modern equipment that employers and graduate schools seek. Additionally, students can conduct mentored and independent research projects in faculty laboratories.

The bachelor's degree provides a strong background in the biological sciences for students planning to enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other professional schools, as well as those planning graduate studies in any branch of microbiology or other biological sciences such as biochemistry, pathology, and molecular or cell biology.

Students who end their training with a bachelor's degree are well-prepared for a variety of career opportunities, including laboratory positions in pharmaceutical firms, biotechnology firms, university laboratories, and government laboratories. They also work as specialists in industrial quality testing and control and as regulatory workers in government agencies and public health laboratories. Exposure to the scientific process as well as training in microbiology allows microbiology graduates to enter fields as diverse as business, technical service, sales, and technical writing.

How to Get in

Admissions to the Microbiology [BA or BS (L&S)] have been suspended as of fall 2023, and the program will be discontinued as of fall 2027. Students interested in Microbiology can contact the microbiology major advisors to discuss the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Microbiology major.  For other questions, please contact CALS Academic Affairs.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A Part B *

* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements.

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science curriculum.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Mathematics Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework.
Language
  • Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English; OR
  • Complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English.
LS Breadth
  • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include 6 credits of literature; and
  • 12 credits of Social Science; and
  • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include one 3+ credit Biological Science course and one 3+ credit Physical Science course.
Liberal Arts and Science Coursework Complete at least 108 credits.
Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level.
Major Declare and complete at least one major.
Total Credits Complete at least 120 credits.
UW-Madison Experience
  • 30 credits in residence, overall; and
  • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
Quality of Work
  • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison
  • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison

Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major

Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.

Requirements for the Major

Mathematics
Complete one of the following:5-10
Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I
and Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II
Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1
Statistics
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Statistical Methods
Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences
General Chemistry
Complete one of the following:5-10
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
Advanced General Chemistry
Chemical Principles I
and Chemical Principles II
Organic Chemistry
Complete ALL of the following:
CHEM 343 Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 344 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHEM 345 Organic Chemistry II3
Biology Foundation
Complete one of the following:10-13
Introductory Biology
and Introductory Biology
Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics
and Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory
and Cellular Biology
and Cellular Biology Laboratory
and Principles of Physiology
Animal Biology
and Animal Biology Laboratory
and General Botany
Physics
Complete one of the following:8-10
General Physics
and General Physics
General Physics
and General Physics
General Physics
and General Physics
Biochemistry
Complete one of the following:3-6
Introduction to Biochemistry
General Biochemistry I
and General Biochemistry II
Microbiology Courses
Microbiology Core (all required):
Except where noted, all Microbiology Core courses are offered every fall and spring semester.
MICROBIO 303 Biology of Microorganisms3
MICROBIO 304 Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory2
MICROBIO 305 Critical Analyses in Microbiology1
MICROBIO 450 Diversity, Ecology and Evolution of Microorganisms (SPRING ONLY)3
MICROBIO 470 Microbial Genetics & Molecular Machines3
MICROBIO 526 Physiology of Microorganisms3
MICROBIO 527 Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Microbiology (FALL ONLY)2
Microbiology Capstone (required):
MICROBIO 551 Capstone Research Project in Microbiology (SPRING ONLY)2
Microbiology Electives
Complete at least 6 credits; at least 3 credits must come from Set A. Not all elective courses are offered every semester.
Set A:3-6
Food Microbiology Laboratory
Food Microbiology
Host-Parasite Interactions
The Microbiome of Plants, Animals, and Humans
Introduction to Disease Biology
General Bioinformatics for Microbiologists
Environmental Microbiology
Planetary Microbiology: What Life Here Tells Us About Life Out There
Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry
Topics in Biotechnology (topics vary by semester)
Advanced Microbial Genetics
Prokaryotic Molecular Biology
Bioinformatics for Microbiologists
Microbiology at Atomic Resolution
Set B:0-3
BIOCHEM 570
Biology of Viruses
Protein and Enzyme Structure and Function
Algae
Fungi
Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects
Biophysical Chemistry
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Diseases of Wildlife
Fermented Foods and Beverages
Pathogenic Bacteriology
Immunology
Parasitology
Emerging Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism
General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses
Immunology
Plant-Bacterial Interactions
Biology and Genetics of Fungi
Total Credits64-88

Residence and Quality of Work

  • 2.000 GPA in all MICROBIO courses and courses approved for the major
  • 2.000 GPA on 15 upper-level major credits, in residence1
  • 15 credits of MICROBIO or courses counting toward the major, taken on campus
1

MICROBIO 300 through 699 count as upper level in the major, excluding MICROBIO 303 and MICROBIO 304. Intermediate- and advanced-level courses outside of MICROBIO that count for the major are also considered upper level.

Honors in the Major

Students may declare Honors in the Microbiology Major in consultation with the Microbiology undergraduate advisor.

Honors in the Major Requirements

To earn Honors in the Major in Microbiology, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following requirements:

  • Earn a 3.300 University GPA
  • Earn a 3.300 GPA for all courses accepted in the major
  • MICROBIO 681 and MICROBIO 682 for a total of 6 credits 
  • 9 credits of Honors course work (with grade B or better) from:
MICROBIO 303 Biology of Microorganisms3
MICROBIO 304 Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory2
MICROBIO 330 Host-Parasite Interactions3
MICROBIO/​SOIL SCI  425 Environmental Microbiology3
MICROBIO 450 Diversity, Ecology and Evolution of Microorganisms3
MICROBIO 470 Microbial Genetics & Molecular Machines3
MICROBIO 526 Physiology of Microorganisms3
PATH-BIO/​M M & I  528 Immunology3
MICROBIO 607 Advanced Microbial Genetics3
MICROBIO/​BIOCHEM/​GENETICS  612 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology3
PL PATH 622 Plant-Bacterial Interactions2-3
MICROBIO 632 Industrial Microbiology/Biotechnology2
ONCOLOGY/​M M & I/​PL PATH  640 General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses3
MICROBIO/​BMOLCHEM  668 Microbiology at Atomic Resolution3

University Degree Requirements  

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop a fundamental understanding of the principles of microbiology and the necessary skills for a professional career in microbiology.
  2. Apply the scientific method to questions. Formulate a hypothesis, gather data, and analyze that data to assess the degree to which their work supports the hypothesis.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in the techniques used in microbiology and an ability to critically analyze data and integrate ideas for problem solving.
  4. Access the primary and secondary literature and, in combination with their own findings, effectively communicate their ideas both orally and in written form.
  5. Learn about and demonstrate personal and professional ethics.

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.

Sample Microbiology Four-Year Plan

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Chemistry4-5General Chem or Electives5
Math3Math3-5
Communication A3Foreign Language (if needed)4
Foreign Language (if needed)4Literature Breadth3
 15 15
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 3433CHEM 3442
Math3-5CHEM 3453
Intro Biology, Semester 15Intro Biology, Semester 25
Ethnic Studies/Social Science Breadth3Social Science Breadth3
 Literature Breadth3
 16 16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Physics, Semester 14-5General Physics, Semester 24-5
MICROBIO 3033MICROBIO 4703
MICROBIO 3042BIOCHEM 5013
MICROBIO 3051Research1-3
Research1-3Social Science Breadth3
Humanities Breadth3 
 15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MICROBIO 5263MICROBIO 4503
MICROBIO 5272MICROBIO 5512
Microbiology Elective- Set A3Microbiology Elective- Set B3
Research1-4Research1-4
Social Science Breadth3Humanities Breadth3
 14 14
Total Credits 120

Advising and Careers

Current UW–Madison students should use Starfish to schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Biochemistry & Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub.

Prospective/future UW–Madison students should send an email to the Biochemistry & Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub to set up an appointment, which can be conducted in person or via phone call.

Read about and explore possible microbiology careers at the American Society for Microbiology website.

Learn more about health-related careers through the ExploreHealthCareers.org website.

L&S Career Resources

Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities.  SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.

In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.

Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.

People

Research Faculty

Daniel Amador-Noguez
Karthik Anantharaman
Jean-Michel Ané
Briana Burton
Kerri Coon
Timothy J. Donohue
Katrina T. Forest (Chair)
Richard L. Gourse (Emeritus)
David Hershey
Betül Kaçar
Charles W. Kaspar
Erica L-W Majumder
Katherine D. McMahon
Federico E. Rey
Garret Suen
Michael G. Thomas
Jade Wang
Jae-Hyuk Yu

Teaching Faculty

Melissa Christopherson
Timothy D. Paustian
Jon T. Roll
Michelle R. Rondon
Betty Slinger

Academic Advisors

Biochemistry & Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub

For more information, see the Department of Bacteriology directory.