Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Microbiology (CASNR)
Description
Website: http://microbiology.unl.edu
The microbiology major is an interdepartmental major that offers educational opportunities in various areas of microbiology leading to a bachelor of science degree in microbiology. The training offered is suitable for a professional career in microbiology, which may lead to employment in the food industry, clinical microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals; or federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Public Health Service, and Environmental Protection Agency. The program is also suitable as preparation for graduate studies leading to academic careers and professional careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and health-related fields. (Completion of the microbiology baccalaureate degree program does not automatically fulfill the admission requirements for application to a given professional program. Students considering applying to a professional program are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to ensure that admission requirements are met during the completion of the microbiology degree.)
Students interested in majoring in microbiology are advised to make an appointment with the academic advisor.
Students concerned about their preparation for college-level biology should take LIFE 120 Fundamentals of Biology I and LIFE 120L Fundamentals of Biology I laboratory with an understanding that they will need to use the resource center and plan their time accordingly to allow for increased study time. Please consult your advisor if in doubt.
Program Assessment. To gauge the effectiveness of the program, majors within their senior year will be required to complete selected assessment activities. The results of participation in these assessment activities will in no way affect a student’s GPA or graduation.
College Requirements
College Admission
Requirements for admission into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) are consistent with general University admission requirements (one unit equals one high school year): 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural sciences, 3 units of social sciences, and 2 units of world language. Students must also meet performance requirements: a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average OR an ACT composite of 20 or higher, writing portion not required OR a score of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections OR rank in the top one-half of graduating class; transfer students must have a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average and 2.0 on the most recent term of attendance.
Admission Deficiencies/Removal of Deficiencies
Students who are admitted to CASNR with core course deficiencies must remove these deficiencies within the first 30 credit hours at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, or within the first calendar year at Nebraska, whichever takes longer, excluding foreign languages. Students have up to 60 credit hours to remove world language deficiencies. College-level coursework taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.
Deficiencies in the required entrance subjects can be removed by the completion of specified courses in the University or by correspondence.
The Office of Admissions, Alexander Building (south entrance), City Campus, provides information to new students on how deficiencies can be removed.
College Degree Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requirements of the College consist of three areas: ACE (Achievement-Centered Education), College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core, and Degree Program requirements and electives. All three areas of the College Curriculum Requirements are incorporated within the description of the Major/Degree Program sections of the catalog. The individual major/degree program listings of classes ensures that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.
World Languages/Language Requirement
Two units of a world language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.
Experiential Learning
All undergraduates in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources must take an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs. Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Grade Rules
Removal of C-, D, and F Grades
Only the most recent letter grade received in a given course will be used in computing a student’s cumulative grade point average if the student has completed the course more than once and previously received a grade or grades below C in that course.
The previous grade (or grades) will not be used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average, but it will remain a part of the academic record and will appear on any transcript.
A student can remove from his/her cumulative average a course grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F if the student repeats the same course at the University of Nebraska and receives a grade other than P (pass), I (incomplete), N (no pass), W (withdrew), or NR (no report). If a course is no longer being offered, it is not eligible for the revised grade point average computation process.
For complete procedures and regulations, see the Office of the University Registrar website at http://www.unl.edu/regrec/course-repeats.
Pass/No Pass
Students in CASNR may take any course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis within the 24-hour limitation established by the Faculty Senate. However, a department may specify that the Pass/No Pass status of its courses be limited to non-majors or may choose to offer some courses for letter grades only.
GPA Requirements
A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Transfer Credit Rules
To be considered for admission a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who have completed less than 12 credit hours of college study must submit either ACT or SAT scores.
Ordinarily, credits earned at an accredited college are accepted by the University. The College, however, will evaluate all hours submitted on an application for transfer and reserves the right to accept or reject any of them. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety (90) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept from a four-year college. Transfer credit in the degree program must be approved by the degree program advisor on a Request for Substitution Form to meet specific course requirements, group requirements, or course level requirements in the major. At least 9 hours in the major field, including the capstone course, must be completed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln regardless of the number of hours transferred.
The College will accept no more than 10 semester hours of C-, D+, D, and D- grades from other schools. The C-, D+, D, and D- grades can only be applied to free electives. This policy does not apply to the transfer of grades from UNO or UNK to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Joint Academic Transfer Programs
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has agreements with many institutions to support joint academic programs. The transfer programs include dual degree programs and cooperative degree programs. Dual degree programs offer students the opportunity to receive a degree from a participating institution and also to complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree in CASNR. Cooperative programs result in a single degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or the cooperating institution.
Dual Degree Programs
A to B Programs
The A to B Program, a joint academic program offered by the CASNR and participating community colleges, allows students to complete the first two years of a degree program at the participating community college and continue their education and study in a degree program leading toward a bachelor of science degree.
The A to B Program provides a basic knowledge plus specialized coursework. Students transfer into CASNR with junior standing.
Depending on the community college, students enrolled in the A to B Program may complete the requirements for an associate of science at the community college, transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and work toward a bachelor of science degree.
Participating community colleges include:
- Central Community College
- Metropolitan Community College
- Mid-Plains Community College
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- Nebraska Indian Community College
- Northeast Community College
- Southeast Community College
- Western Nebraska Community College
3+2 Programs
Two specialized degree programs in animal science and veterinary science are offered jointly with an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine. These two programs permit CASNR animal science or veterinary science students to receive a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in animal science or veterinary science after successfully completing two years of the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine at an accredited veterinary school. Students who successfully complete the 3+2 Program, must provide transcripts and complete the Application for Degree form via MyRED. Students without MyRED access may apply for graduation in person at Husker Hub in the Canfield Administration Building, or by mail. Students should discuss these degree programs with their academic advisor.
Cooperative Degree Programs
Academic credit from the University and a cooperating institution are applied towards a four-year degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (University degree-granting program) or the cooperating institution (non-University degree-granting program). All have approved programs of study.
UNL Degree-Granting Programs
A University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree-granting program is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete a two-year program of study at one of the four-year institutions listed below, transfer to CASNR, and complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree.
Chadron State College. Chadron State College offers a 2+2 program leading to a grassland ecology and management degree program and a transfer program leading to a bachelor of science in agricultural education in the teaching option.
Wayne State College. Wayne State College offers a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in plant biology in the ecology and management option and a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in Applied Science.
University of Nebraska at Kearney. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
University of Nebraska at Omaha. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
Non University of Nebraska–Lincoln Degree-Granting Programs
CASNR cooperates with other institutions to provide coursework that is applied towards a degree at the cooperating institution. Pre-professional programs offered by CASNR allow students to complete the first two or three years of a degree program at the University prior to transferring and completing a degree at the cooperating institution.
Chadron State College–Range Science. The 3+1 Program in range science allows Chadron State College students to pursue a range science degree through Chadron State College. Students complete three years of coursework at Chadron State College and one year of specialized range science coursework (32 credit hours) at CASNR.
Dordt College (Iowa)–Agricultural Education: Teaching Option. This program allows students to pursue an Agricultural Education Teaching Option degree leading toward a bachelor of science in agricultural education. Students at Dordt College will complete 90 credit hours in the Agricultural Education: Teaching Option Transfer Program.
Residency
Students must complete at least 30 of the total hours for their degree using University of Nebraska–Lincoln credits. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be in courses offered through CASNR1 (>299) including the appropriate ACE 10 degree requirement or an approved ACE 10 substitution offered through another Nebraska college and excluding independent study regardless of the number of hours transferred. Credit earned during education abroad may be used toward the residency requirement if students register through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and participate in prior-approved education abroad programs. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln open enrollment and summer independent study courses count toward residence.
- 1
Includes courses taught by CASNR faculty through interdisciplinary prefixes (e.g., LIFE, MBIO, ENVR, SCIL, EAEP, HRTM, ENSC) and CASNR crosslisted courses taught by non-CASNR faculty.
Online and Distance Education
There are many opportunities to earn college credit online through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Some of these credits may be applicable not only as elective credits but also toward the fulfillment of the College’s education requirements. Credits earned online may count toward residency. However, certain offerings may not be counted toward scholarship requirements or academic recognition criteria.
For further information, contact:
Office of Online and Distance Education
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
305 Brace Labs
Lincoln, NE 68588-0109
402-472-4681
http://online.unl.edu/
Independent Study Rules
Students wishing to take part in independent studies must obtain permission; complete and sign a contract form; and furnish copies of the contract to the instructor, advisor, departmental office, and the Dean’s Office. The contract should be completed before registration. Forms are available in 103 Agricultural Hall or online at the CASNR website.
Independent study projects include research, literature review or extension of coursework under the supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.
Students may only count 12 hours of independent study toward their degrees and no more than 6 hours can be counted during their last 36 hours earned, excluding senior thesis, internships, and courses taught under an independent study number.
Other College Degree Requirements
Capstone Course Requirement
A capstone course is required for each CASNR degree program. A capstone course is defined as a course in which students are required to integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve a problem or formulate a policy of societal importance.
ACE Requirements
All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.
The minimum requirements of CASNR reflect the common core of courses that apply to students pursuing degrees in the college. Students should work with an advisor to satisfy ACE outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 with the college requirements.
Catalog Rule
Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program. Students transferring from a community college, but without admission to a Joint Academic Transfer Program, may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of microbiology will be able to:
- Understand the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of bacteria and other microorganisms, including cell structure, function, diversity, metabolism, and the genetics of metabolic regulation.
- Be knowledgeable about the immune response and disease-causing microorganisms, including aspects of the innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as an introductory understanding of the molecular basis for pathogenesis.
- Understand the role of microorganisms in plant and animal agriculture, foodborne disease and spoilage, as well as beneficial roles played by microorganisms.
- Understand the taxonomic, ecological, evolutionary, and genetic relationships among microorganisms, including nutrient cycling, microbial diversity, and the biotechnological application of microorganisms to solve environmental problems.
- Be proficient at the scientific method of investigation and hypothesis testing, including the development of theoretical and practical skills in the design and execution of experiments, as well as the development of oral and writing skills necessary for the effective communication of experimental results and/or scientific principles.
Major Requirements
The core courses and 12-18 hours of elective microbiology courses (a minimum of 12 hours at the 300 level or above) must be completed.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Integrative Course | ||
| SCIL 101 | Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 3 | |
| Core Requirements | ||
| MBIO 101 | Introduction to the Microbiology Major | 1 |
| BIOS 312 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOS 314 | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| MBIO 420 / BIOS 420 | Molecular Genetics (ACE 10) | 3 |
| MBIO 440 / BIOS 440 | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| MBIO 443 / BIOS 443 | Immunology | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 14 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| CASNR Approved Life Sciences | ||
| BIOS 206 | General Genetics | 4 |
| or PLAS 215 | Genetics | |
| LIFE 120 & LIFE 120L | Fundamentals of Biology I and Fundamentals of Biology I laboratory (ACE 4) | 4 |
| LIFE 121 & LIFE 121L | Fundamentals of Biology II and Fundamentals of Biology II Laboratory (ACE 4) | 4 |
| Chemistry | ||
| Select one sequence from the following: | 8-11 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory and General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Fundamental Chemistry I and Fundamental Chemistry I Laboratory and Fundamental Chemistry II and Elementary Quantitative Analysis and Elementary Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry | ||
| Select from the following: | 4-8 | |
| If you plan to take BIOC 401 & BIOC 401L, select one sequence from the following: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry and Mechanistic Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| If you plan to take BIOC 431, select one sequence from the following: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory and Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry and Mechanistic Organic Chemistry I Laboratory and Organic Chemistry | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Elements of Biochemistry and Laboratory for Elements of Biochemistry | ||
| Biochemistry I: Structure and Metabolism | ||
| Physics | ||
| Select one sequence from the following: | 10 | |
| Elementary General Physics I and Elementary General Physics II | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics Laboratory I and General Physics II and General Physics Laboratory II | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 37 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 106 | Calculus I (ACE 3) | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Statistics and Applications | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 8 | |
| Communication | ||
| Written Communication (ACE 1) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing and Inquiry | ||
| Writing and Argument | ||
| Writing and Communities | ||
| Basic Business Communication | ||
| Technical Communication I | ||
| Technical Communication II | ||
| Communication and Interpersonal Skills (ACE 2) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Skills for Leadership | ||
| Communication in the 21st Century | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Communicating in Small Groups | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Technical Communication II | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Economics, Humanities, and Social Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following (ACE 6): | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture | ||
| Economic Essentials and Issues | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Select one course each from ACE outcomes 5, 7, 8, and 9 | 12 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 15 | |
| Upper Division Microbiology Electives | ||
| Select 12-18 hours from the following: 1 | 12-18 | |
| Biochemistry II: Metabolism and Biological Information | ||
| Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Research Techniques in Biochemistry | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Biology of Viruses | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Systems Biology | ||
| Evolutionary Medicine | ||
| Earth and Environmental Microbiology | ||
| Field Epidemiology | ||
| Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution | ||
| Field Parasitology | ||
| Food Microbiology | ||
| Food Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Molds and Mycotoxins in Food, Feed, and the Human Environment | ||
| My Gut, My Health, My Food | ||
| Microbiology of Fermented Foods | ||
| Microbiology of Fermented Foods Laboratory (Offered even years only) | ||
| Microbial Genetics & Genomics | ||
| Microbial Diversity | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Soil Microbial Ecology | ||
| Introductory Plant Pathology | ||
| Introductory Plant Pathology Lab | ||
| Computational Biology | ||
| Principles and Prevention of Livestock Diseases | ||
| Functional Histology | ||
| Basic Molecular Infectious Diseases | ||
| Pathogenic Microbiology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Select 11-25 hours | 11-25 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 25 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Within the same subject matter area, students may request substitution for an elective course at the 300 level or above.
Additional Major Requirements
Grade Rules
C- and D Grades
A grade of C or above is required for all courses in the major.
Pass/No Pass
No course taken Pass/No Pass will be counted toward the major or minor, except for courses involving independent study, research, and seminars.
PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Career Information
The following represents a sample of the internships, jobs and graduate school programs that current students and recent graduates have reported.
Transferable Skills
- Understand and utilize a variety of research methodologies
- Understand fundamental life processes
- Communicate results of scientific experiments to scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Design and implement research experiments
- Apply mathematical and scientific skills to solve real-world problems
- Comprehend and critically evaluate complex information
- Analyze and explain data
- Conduct and present research to large and small groups
- Read, understand, and critically review scientific information
- Understand and practice proper laboratory safety procedures
- More...
- Use quantitative analysis techniques
- Demonstrate ethical conduct in research activities
- Collaborate with a team to develop solutions
- Develop and defend evidence based arguments
- Develop basic techniques of statistical analysis
Jobs of Recent Graduates
- Animal Care Technician, Benchmark Biolabs – Lincoln, NE
- Clinical Research Associate, University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, NE
- Lab Assistant, Neogen Corporation – Lincoln, NE
- Lab Technician, University of Nebraska - Lincoln – Lincoln, NE
- Medical Scribe, EMR Scribes – Omaha, NE
- Middle School Science Teacher, Alma Public Schools – Alma, NE
- Phlebotomist, Bryan Medical Center – Lincoln, NE
- Science Writer, LI–COR Biosciences – Lincoln, NE
- Scientist I, Aerotek – Chicago, IL
- Plant Research Biologist, Midwest Research Inc. – York, NE
Internships
- R&D Summer Intern, Estee Lauder Companies - Melville NY
- Project Manager Assistant/Engineering Assistant, LI-COR Biosciences - Lincoln NE
- Construction Management Intern, Nemaha Landscape Construction - Lincoln NE
- Undergrad Student Research Intern, UNL Mid-America Transportation Center - Lincoln NE
- Certified Nursing Assistant, Delmar Gardens Retirement Home - CNA Program - O'Fallon MO
- Intern, Monsanto - Gothenburg NE
- Beckman Research Scholar, UNL College of Arts of Sciences Beckman Scholars - Lincoln NE
- Associate Management Intern, Cargill - Kansas City, MO
- Advanced Research Intern, Li-COR Biosciences - Lincoln NE
- Distinguished Life Sciences Scholar, College of Arts and Sciences - Lincoln NE
Graduate & Professional Schools
- Master’s in Bioinformatics, Northeastern University – Boston, MA
- Master’s in Global Health, Emory University – Atlanta, GA
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, UNMC College of Dentistry – Lincoln, NE
- Doctor of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, NE
- Doctor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences – Bethesda, MD
- Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, NE
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, NE
- Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of California - San Diego – San Diego, CA
- Ph.D., Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago – Chicago, IL
- Ph.D., Neuroimmunology (M.D.– Ph.D.), University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha, NE