Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology

https://www.montana.edu/mbi/

A variety of undergraduate degrees and minors are housed in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology.  These include: Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology, Cell Biology & Neuroscience, and Biotechnology.  Minors include: Microbiology, Astrobiology, Genetics, and Global Health.  An Undergraduate Certificate in Pre-Veterinary Medicine is also offered. Graduate programs are offered for either an M.S. or Ph.D. degree.

Microbiology degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in microbiology with emphasis in medical microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, virology, microbial physiology, microbial ecology, microbial genetics, and environmental microbiology. The Microbiology curriculum has two options: Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Science.  Cell Biology & Neuroscience offers an option in Biomedical Sciences. There is also a Biotechnology curriculum with options in Animal Systems and Microbial Systems.

Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

Modern research in cellular and molecular biology and its resultant technology offers unparalleled opportunities to provide solutions to our society's most urgent problems in human and animal health, agriculture, and environmental quality. The emerging biotechnology industries are involved in developing products to maintain biodiversity, restore soil and water quality, develop new pharmaceuticals to combat disease, decrease our dependence on nonrenewable resources, and improve food and fiber production. Students interested in microbiology, animal or plant science, biochemistry, and animal or human medicine will find challenging careers in the diverse areas of biotechnology in either an academic or industrial setting. Students successfully completing a biotechnology curriculum will also be prepared to enter graduate or medical professional schools for further study.

The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary degree that spans two academic departments: Microbiology & Cell Biology, and Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology. Students will choose an area of emphasis in Animal Systems, Microbial Systems or Plant  Systems (in the Department of Plant Science & Plant Pathology) for upper-division coursework. 

Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology & Neuroscience

Biomedical Sciences Option

The curriculum of the biomedical sciences option provides a strong background for students who plan on a career in medicine or other health profession. This option is also for students that are interested in a biomedical sciences career in research or teaching in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, or neuroscience. The curriculum provides the opportunity to take the courses necessary to make a competitive application to health profession school, graduate school or to obtain a technical position.   The curriculum has sufficient breadth to introduce the student to a wide range of disciplines, but is flexible enough so that students can focus, in their last two years, on areas of specific interest. Students interested in a career in a health science profession should consult the Health Professions Advising Office for information regarding admission to professional schools.

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Medical Laboratory Science Option

This option is designed to prepare students for careers in Clinical Laboratory Science. There is an urgent demand for professionals certified in this field at the state and national level.  Students develop competence in a range of medically-oriented fields including immunology, medical bacteriology, medical virology, parasitology, hematology, and chemistry.  The Department of Microbiology and Immunology has two plans for students seeking a career in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), Plan "A" and Plan "B."

Plan A (3+1) allows students to attend classes at MSU for three years and apply for a clinical internship during the fourth year. The Montana Medical Laboratory Science Training Program is located at MSU and meets the professional standards.  It is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont IL 60018-5119, (773) 714-8880.  Students with a 2.5 GPA or greater, who are accepted, will spend their fourth year in this program. Upon completion of the one-year internship, students receive a B.S. degree in Microbiology from MSU, and take a national examination through the American Society for Clinical Pathologists or the National Certification Agency. They will then be qualified to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Plan B is for students who wish to complete a four year degree in Microbiology at MSU.  They may then independently seek an approved hospital training program in MLS for a one-year internship. Once training is complete, they will also be qualified to take a national registry exam and become certified as an MLS.

This certification qualifies them for graduate education and careers in:

  • clinical analysis (microbiology, hematology, chemistry, and immunohematology)
  • medical research
  • industry (product development, sales, maintenance of equipment, etc)
  • public health laboratories
  • health care administration

Microbiology Option

In this option, students obtain a thorough education in the fields of medical, ecological, physiological, and environmental microbiology, immunology, virology, and molecular biology. This curriculum is excellent preparation for:

  • graduate study in microbiology and other fields of the biological sciences
  • medical, dental, veterinary, and other professional schools 
  • careers in industry, university, institute, and government, laboratories

There are several tracks a student can choose within this option to tailor their studies to their interests. These tracks all lead to a degree in Microbiology and include the:

  • General Microbiology Track
  • Pre-Medical Track
  • Pre-Veterinary Track

Please note: the Microbiology tracks are for advising purposes only. The credential earned and reflected on the student's record is a Bachelor's of Science with a Major in Microbiology.

Astrobiology Minor (Non-Teaching)

The Astrobiology minor is designed to educate students in this interdisciplinary field covering the varied scientific disciplines that contribute to our general understanding of life, the origin of life, the past history of life on Earth, possible futures for life on Earth, and the possible existence of life on other planetary environments.  The principle goal of the minor is to develop students' literacy in astrobiology so they can critically evaluate claims related to this field that they encounter well after their college education has ended.

Genetics Minor (Non-Teaching)

Genetics is one of the fundamental disciplines that supports the field of biology. The departments that contribute to genetics teaching and research collaborated to develop the Genetics Minor to provide students with a focused experience in microbial, plant and animal genetics, and to permit exploration of specialties ranging from bioinformatics through molecular, evolutionary and quantitative genetics. The Genetics Minor is available in the departments of Animal and Range Sciences, Computer Science, Ecology, Microbiology and Cell Biology, and Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology. Each participating department has a certifying officer for the Genetics Minor to help students decide whether this option is appropriate.

Standards for the Genetics Minor are consistent across all participating departments: a student must receive a grade of C- or better in all courses required for the minor. In consultation with a Genetics Advisor, the student will select a minimum of 16 credits from the list of elective courses.

Global Health Minor (Non-Teaching)

The Global Health minor will allow students to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of health issues and health care in a global context.  Through the bundling of a broad range of courses, this minor will provide a solid foundation in social, cultural, epidemiological, environmental and nutritional determinants of health, and will explore the challenges facing global health solutions.  Students will investigate the health implications of globalization, as well as have the option for an engagement experience, both of which contribute to better understanding the determinants of health issues around the world. 

Microbiology Minor (Non-Teaching)

A Microbiology minor provides interested students an understanding of the microbial basis of health and disease, and environmental microbiology. Eligibility for a minor in Microbiology requires 29 credits in Microbiology and supporting subjects. This minor complements other majors for those pursuing graduate school and professional programs in medical, dental, veterinary, ecological, industrial, pharmaceutical and related areas. This minor also strengthens the background for science majors who wish to become more competitive in the job market.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Certificate

This program is ideal for students who have already obtained their B.S. degree and are seeking a structured approach to coursework necessary to apply to veterinary schools.  The certificate may also be obtained by students currently seeking a degree in an unrelated field, as a means of tracking course work needed to complete an application to any AVMA accredited veterinary schools.

Undergraduate Research Participation

An undergraduate research program, available to students who demonstrate an interest and ability, is open to non-majors as well as majors in Microbiology. The aim of this program is to foster increased creativity, imagination, inquisitiveness, and independence.

Grade Requirements for Fulfillment of Degree Options

In order to graduate with a B.S. in the department, students must earn a grade of C- or better for every course required for the specific option, including courses taken to fulfill required elective credits. 

Graduation In Absentia

Some professional programs accept students before their degree requirements are completed. It is often possible to transfer credits from the first year of professional school to MSU to graduate in absentia. The mechanics involve sending an official transcript for the first year of professional school to the MSU academic advisor.  The student then writes a letter to the MSU Registrar explaining which credits transfer and how they fulfill the degree requirements. The student then registers in absentia at MSU for the semester in which the B.S. degree will be awarded

Departmental Honors in Microbiology

When appropriate, majors should consider the opportunities afforded by the departmental honors program. This program has the following components:

  • A minimum 3.5 grade-point average (GPA) in Microbiology, 3.0 GPA overall
  • A minimum of four credits of undergraduate research credit
  • An acceptable, bound senior thesis, and an oral defense of the thesis

Participation in a Microbiology seminar during the senior year is the required capstone course for graduation. 

Undergraduate Programs

Please note: the Microbiology tracks are for advising purposes only. The credential earned and reflected on the student's record is a Bachelor's of Science with a Major in Microbiology.

Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate Minors