Microbiology Minor

Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus

This minor is designed to give students increased exposure to factual information, concepts, and skills in microbiology, and to provide students with a more complete understanding of the roles of microorganisms as they pertain to their major. Students in allied health and related fields may expand their breadth of knowledge in microbial diseases, transmission and prevention, and immunologic responses. Students in applied fields of study can gain additional information on pertinent topics such as the presence and role of microorganisms in water and wastewater treatment, in the recycling of nutrients and soil fertility, in food processing, spoilage, and production, and in disease transmission. The minor is open to any major except Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biological Sciences General Curriculum or with concentrations in Anatomy and Physiology or Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Program Learning Objectives

1. Explain fundamental concepts and principles in microbiology.
2. Develop experience in common lab and field techniques for microbiology.
3. Integrate statistics, math, physical sciences and technology to answer microbiological questions.
4. Relate ethical, social justice or global perspectives to the study and practice of microbiology.

Minor Requirements and Curriculum

• At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level).
• At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly (in residence).
• No more than one-third of the units will be taken with credit-no credit grading (CR/NC), not counting courses with mandatory CR/NC. Departments may further limit CR/NC grading if desired.
• A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the minor.

¹

May be substituted with an advisor approved course; consultation with an advisor is recommended before selecting electives.

²

A maximum of 2 units from BIO 2200, BIO 3300, or BIO 4400 may be applied toward the Approved Electives.