Mission & Student Learning Goals for a Major in Microbiology & Immunology (B.S.)
Wagner students engaged in research.
The mission of the undergraduate program in microbiology and immunology within the Department of Biological Sciences at Wagner College is to provide students with a comprehensive background in the various fields of modern microbiology and immunology including microbial genetics, clinical microbiology, applied microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and microbial physiology. Wagner is one of the few liberal arts colleges in the Northeast offering this major as an undergraduate degree. The primary goal of this major is to prepare students for graduate study and careers as microbiologists in public health, hospital, industrial, or research laboratories.
By graduation, Microbiology & Immunology majors should possess or have demonstrated:
- A basic knowledge of fundamental concepts in cell and molecular biology, microbial genetics, and
microbial physiology. - A basic knowledge of applied, food, and industrial microbiology.
- A clear conceptual knowledge of immunology and serology.
- A general knowledge of clinical microbiology.
- A basic knowledge of statistical analysis.
Requirements for a Major in Microbiology & Immunology (B.S.)
A minimum of 21 units with the following distribution:
Foundation requirements - 4 units as follows:
Biology 213, 215, 217 and 221
Upper-level requirements - 2 units as follows:
Biology 350, 360
Major Core - 4 units as follows:
Microbiology 230, 314, 512, 521
Electives - 2 units chosen from the following:
Two 300-level or higher Biological Sciences
OR one 300-level or higher Biological Sciences and one Physical Sciences or Math
OR Research Track MI493 and MI494
Cognate courses - 7 units as follows:
Chemistry 111, 112, 211, and 212;
Math 121
Physics 131, 132 or Physics 141, 142;
Senior Learning Community and Capstone - 2 units:
Microbiology 400E (zero units)
Biology 400
Microbiology 491
A laboratory section must be taken as part of any course for which a laboratory section is offered. Lecture and laboratory must be taken concurrently.
Courses used to calculate the major index include all courses in microbiology.
Requirements for a Combined Major in Microbiology and Minor in Chemistry
18 units required for the major in microbiology, and any two additional units in chemistry above Chemistry 212. The minor must be declared at the time when the major in microbiology is declared.
Requirements for a Minor in Microbiology
A minimum of five units at the 200-level or higher in Microbiology. MI 200 is required and MI 314 and 512 are strongly recommended.
Students who have completed a previous course in statistics cannot count BI 221 toward the minor.
A laboratory section must be taken as part of any course for which a laboratory section is offered.
Lecture and laboratory must be taken concurrently.
Graduate Program
The degree of Master of Science in the field of microbiology is offered. Consult the Wagner College Bulletin, the M.S. Microbiology link of this web site, or the Provost Office for additional information.