Minor in Microbial Science
“In the year of 1657 I discovered very small living creatures in rain water.”
– Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Microorganisms are ubiquitous components of natural and human engineered ecosystems, where
they drive important processes like elemental cycling and pathogenic disease. The study of
microbial biology encompasses techniques from microscopy and cultivation to high throughput
genetics and computation, and in environments ranging from the human body to the entire ocean,
and conditions from soils in upstate New York to liquids of the International Space Station.
Microbiologists have a common interest in understanding the genomic and regulatory
adaptations of microorganisms to the habitats in which they live (from within host cells to freeliving bacteria in extreme environments), and the impacts of microorganisms on their
surroundings. At the same time, because most elemental cycling on the planet is mediated by
microorganisms, microbiologists investigate the impacts of habitat perturbations, including
global climate change, on microbial function.
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. Student must complete an Introductory Course in Microbiology to gain important
background in microbiological sciences. Next, students must take a course in Microbial Biology
(Group A) to equip them with knowledge of microbial physiology, genetics, and genomics.
Students must then take one course each from two general areas of microbiological research:
Microbial Ecology, Diversity and Environmental Microbiology (Group B) and Applied and
Pathogenic Microbiology (Group C). Students must also take a microbiology laboratory
course. Students must satisfy a total of 15 credits in microbiology courses (which must come
from at least 1 introductory course and one course in each of Groups A – C).
Students graduating with the Microbial Sciences Minor will find careers in areas
including but not limited to: graduate studies in microbiology, microbial ecology,
virology, industrial and food microbiology, microbial biotechnology, and human and
veterinary medicine, leading to positions in academic institutions, government
agencies; hospitals and aquaria; industries involving microbial technologies (i.e.
biotechnology); food science, including fermentative industries and food safety; and
government health agencies.
Description of the Minor in Microbial Sciences
Students must complete at least one Introductory Course, one course in Biology of
Microorganisms (Group A), one course in Microbial Ecology, Diversity, and Environmental
Microbiology (Group B), and one course in Applied and Pathogenic Microbiology (Group C).
Students must also take a microbiology laboratory course. Students must take a total of 15 credits
of microbial biology courses, which includes the courses required above, to satisfy the minor
program of study.
Introductory Courses
BioMI 1120 Microbes, The Earth, And Everything (2 Cr, Fa)
BioMI 2900 – General Microbiology Lectures (3 Cr, Fa, Sp, Su)
CEE 4510 – Microbiology for Environmental Engineering (3 Cr, Fa)
Group A – Biology of Microorganisms
BioMI 4160 – Bacterial Physiology (3 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 4140 – Prokaryotic Diversity (3 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 4850 – Bacterial Genetics (2 – 3 Cr, Fa)
Group B – Microbial Ecology, Diversity and Environmental Microbiology
BioMI 3500 – Biological Oceanography and Ocean Biogeochemistry (3 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 3970 – Environmental Microbiology (3 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 4480 – Symbioses (3 Cr, Sp)
Group C – Applied and Pathogenic Microbiology
BioMI 2500 – Public Health Microbiology (3 Cr, Fa)
BioMI 3210 – Human Microbes and Health (3 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 3310 – General Parasitology (2 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 3940 – Applied and Food Microbiology (3 Cr, Fa)
BioMI 4040 – Pathogenic Bacteriology (2 – 3 Cr, Sp)
BioMI 4090 – Principles of Virology (3 Cr, Fa)
BioMI 4310 – Medical Parasitology (2 Cr, Fa)
ANSCI 3700 – Immunology in Animal Health and Disease (3Cr, Sp)
Laboratory Courses
BioMI 1120 – Microbes, the Earth and Everything (3 Cr, Fa)
BioMI 2910/BioMI 2911 – General Microbiology Laboratory (2 Cr, Fa, Sp, Su)
BioMI 3910 – Advanced Microbiology Laboratory (3 Cr, Fa)
*Note that BioMI 2900 is a pre-requisite for advanced classes in Microbiology; Students
wishing to take the minor who enroll in BioMI 1120 should also take BioMI 2900.
Learning Objectives of the Minor in Microbial Sciences
After completing the Minor in Microbial Sciences, 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 ecosystems.
 Apply the basic principles of chemistry and quantitative reasoning to solving
problems in microbiology.
 Demonstrate an understanding of hypothesis testing and experimental design.
 Display proficiency in basic microbiological skills.
 Communicate the fundamental concepts of microbiology, both in written and in
oral format.
 Analyze, interpret and evaluate a range of scientific literature in microbiology.
 Display proficiency in basic bioinformatic skills needed to investigate gene
function and to search genomes to test functional hypotheses.
We will assess learning outcomes through student surveys, in-class discussions, and
examinations in consultation with the Directors of Undergraduate Studies for other
minors.
Eligibility for the Microbial Sciences Minor
The Minor in Microbial Science is open to all students in all majors other than Biology.
Biology Majors should pursue the curriculum for the Concentration in Microbiology.
The Minor is available to students in all Colleges at Cornell University.
There is no formal enrollment process for the Minor in Microbial Science. Students
interested in pursuing the Minor should contact the Microbiology Administrative
Assistant, Michelle Carr (mlc44@cornell.edu), to arrange a meeting with a member of
the Microbiology Curriculum Committee. During this meeting, students will review
planned courses with a Minor Advisor in Microbiology (assigned at that time).
Students are responsible for planning their minor program of study in conjunction with
their advisor in their major.
To complete the Minor in Microbial Sciences, students must complete the form, “Minor
Program of Study in Microbial Sciences” available in 102 Wing Hall (Department of
Microbiology Administrative Office) or online at this site no later than January 31 prior
to the May graduation deadline, or no later than September 30 prior to the December
graduation deadline. After submitting their form, the student must make an
appointment with their Minor Advisor. Students should take their Application to
Graduate form, and bring a copy of his or her transcript (it need not be an official copy)
to verify completion of the minor. Upon satisfactory review of the application and
transcript, the Minor Advisor will sign the form and notify the registrar of successful
completion.
Contact information: Ian Hewson (403 Wing Hall) hewson@cornell.edu
Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Minor in Microbial Sciences
Student Details
Name:_____________________________
Major:__________________________
College:____________________________
Graduation Year:________________
Phone #:_____________________
NetID:_________________________
Major Advisor’s Name:
Department:
Major Advisor’s Signature:
Date:
Courses
Introductory Courses (1 required from below)
BioMI 2900 – General Microbiology Lectures (3 Cr)
BioMI 2920 – General Microbiology Discussion (1 Cr)
CEE 4510 – Microbiology for Environmental Engineering (3 Cr)
Group A – Biology of Microorganisms
BioMI 4160 – Bacterial Physiology (3 Cr)
BioMI 4140 – Prokaryotic Diversity (3 Cr)
BioMI 4850 – Bacterial Genetics (2-3 Cr)
Group B – Microbial Ecology, Diversity and Environmental Microbiology
BioMI 3500 – Biological Oceanography
BioMI 3970 – Environmental Microbiology (3 Cr)
BioMI 4480 – Symbioses (3 Cr)
Group C – Applied and Pathogenic Microbiology
BioMI 2500 – Public Health Microbiology (3 Cr)
BioMI 3210 – Human Microbes and Health (3 Cr)
BioMI 3310 – General Parasitology (2 Cr)
BioMI 3940 – Applied and Food Microbiology (3 Cr)
BioMI 4040 – Pathogenic Bacteriology (2-3 Cr)
BioMI 4090 – Principles of Virology (3 Cr)
BioMI 4310 – Medical Parasitology (2 Cr)
ANSCI 3700 – Immunology in Animal Health and Disease (3Cr)
Laboratory Courses
BioMI 1120 – Microbes, the Earth and Everything (3 Cr)
BioMI 2910/BioMI 2911 – General Microbiology Laboratory (2 Cr)
BioMI 3910 – Advanced Microbiology Laboratory (3 Cr)
Semester
Grade
Minimum of 15 Credits including 1 Introductory + 1 course from Group A + 1 course from
Group B + 1 course from Group C + a laboratory course (which may count as a course in group
A, B or C). At least 1 course in Groups A, B and C must not be used to fulfill the student’s major
requirements.
N.B. Only courses for which a grade of C or better is received will count towards the Minor in
Microbial Sciences (Courses with an “S/U” option will not count.)
Minor Advisor Approval
Minor Advisor’s Signature: _________________________
Date: _______________
Note: Signature indicates that the Microbial Sciences advisor had approved the student’s
course of study.