Microbiology Master’s program at Cornell University

Microbiology is the study of organisms that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye: Bacteria and Archaea, viruses, and unicellular eukaryotes. To study microbiology is to pursue the breadth of biology, as microorganisms provide experimental material for understanding physiology cell structure and function biochemistry molecular biology photosynthesis ecology evolution genetics development and even simple behavioral responses and memory. Studies with microorganisms continue to lay the foundation for molecular genetics, recombinant DNA research, biotechnology, environmental sciences, human health and many areas of biochemistry.

The Microbiology concentration provides excellent preparation for graduate study in many areas of biological science, as well as for professional study in medical, veterinary, or dental school. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees can pursue careers in biotechnology or industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology, clinical microbiology, food microbiology, or pharmaceutical microbiology, and can also work as technicians in university, government, industrial, or hospital research laboratories.

After completing the Concentration in Microbiology, students should be able to:.

Demonstrate an understanding of core concepts of microbiology, including the evolution and diversity of microbes cell structure and function metabolism information flow and the role of microbes in human and non-human ecosystems.

the basic principles of chemistry and quantitative reasoning to solve problems in microbiology.

Communicate the fundamental concepts of microbiology, both in written and in oral format.

Analyze, interpret and evaluate a range of scientific literature in microbiology.

The concentration in microbiology requires a minimum of 13 credit hours in addition to the biology requirements.

BIOMI 2900 General Microbiology Lectures (3 credits).

BIOMI 2911 General Microbiology Laboratory (3 credits).

The additional 7 credit hours of classes include courses in environmental microbiology, microbial physiology, bacterial diversity, bacterial genetics, microbe-host interactions, virology, marine microbiology, applied microbiology and genomics. The remaining credit requirements can be fulfilled using any of the courses from the approved list below.

BIOMI 3940 Applied and Food Microbiology (crosslisted).

BIOMI 3970 Environmental Microbiology: Evolution, Biogeochemistry, Microbial Ecology (crosslisted).

The minor in microbial sciences is intended for students who are either not enrolled in the Biology Major or who are taking a concentration other than Microbiology within the Biology Major.

Students must take at least 15 credits in microbiology courses.

At least 2 courses must be in Basic Microbiology (from Group A) to gain important background in the microbiological sciences.

At least 1 course must be in Microbial Ecology and Environmental Microbiology (from Group B).

At least 1 course must be in Applied and Pathogenic Microbiology (from Group C).

BIOMI 1100 Locker Rooms, Kitchens and Bedrooms: The Microbiology of College Life (3 cr S).

BIOMI 2900 General Microbiology Lectures (3 cr F, S, Su).

BIOMI 2911 General Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr F, S).

Group B Microbial Ecology, Diversity and Environmental Microbiology (1 course required).

BIOMI 2790 Microbial Life and Processes that Rule Our Dynamic Planet (3 cr S).

BIOMI 3970 Environmental Microbiology: Evolution, Biogeochemistry, Microbial Ecology (crosslisted) (3 cr S).

BIOMI 4140 Microbial Diversity (3 cr S).

Group C Applied and Pathogenic Microbiology (1 course required).

BIOMI 2500 Public Health Microbiology (3 cr F).

BIOMI 2600 Microbiology of Human Contagious Diseases (3 cr S, SU).

BIOMI 3940 Applied and Food Microbiology (crosslisted) (3 cr F).

BIOMS 4340 Cellular and Molecular Microbial Pathogenesis: The Host Pathogen Interplay (3 cr S).

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.