Major in Microbiology
Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers Majors in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, and Zoology.
Designed to provide graduates with a breadth of knowledge in microbiology as it applies to the environment, health, and industry. Students graduating from the UBC Okanagan campus with a B.Sc. in Microbiology will have developed a wide range of lab, communication, and critical thinking skills. This program prepares students for careers in microbiology (e.g., food and beverage industries, health sciences, and environmental sciences), graduate school, and professional programs.
| First Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 116, 1251 | 6 |
| CHEM_O 111 or CHEM_O 121 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 113 or CHEM_O 123 | 3 |
| ENGL_O 1093, or two of ENGL_O 1122,3, 113, 1143, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH_O 203 | 6 |
| MATH_O 1001 | 3 |
| MATH_O 101 or 1031 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 121 or 122 | 3 |
| Total credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 200, 201 | 6 |
| BIOL_O 202, 265 | 6 |
| One of BIOL_O 204, 205, 209, 210 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 228 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 203, 204; or CHEM_O 213, 2142 | 6 |
| Electives6 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 311 | 3 |
| One of BIOL_O 354, BIOL_O 382 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 393 | 3 |
| Microbiology electives from the following: a) strongly recommended electives: BIOL_O 318, 319, 354 or 382, 366, or BIOC_O 494 or 4955; b) other electives: BIOL_O 312, 314, 380, 381, 410, 4204, 4524, 480 | 21 |
| Science electives numbered 300 or higher | 6 |
| Other electives numbered 300 or higher6 | 6 |
| Electives to satisfy B.Sc. credit requirements6 | 18 |
| Total credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1BIOL_O 116, 125; CHEM_O 111, 113 or 121, 123; and MATH_O 100, 101 or 103 should be taken in the first year to ensure students have the prerequisites for second year.
2Strongly recommended.
3Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL_O 109, 112 or 114.
4If approved by the program advisor as appropriate to Microbiology.
5BIOC 494_O and BIOC_O 495 may both be used toward the requirement to take 30 credits of upper level BIOL_O courses in the Major in Microbiology.
6 Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 or later must complete at least 9 credits of non-science designated courses and 3 credits from INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114. Students who entered the B.Sc. prior to 2024 are required to complete 12 credits of non-science designated courses. These students are strongly encouraged to take INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114.
Note: credit will be granted for only one of BIOC 393_O or BIOL_O 393, and one of BIOC_O 493 and either BIOC_O 494 or BIOC_O 495.
Microbiology Honours Program
The Honours in Microbiology is an intensive program of study based on coursework and research experience. Students who complete this program will have the ability to work independently with a high level of competency.
The course requirements are the same as in the Major in Microbiology, except that students must complete 6 credits of BIOL_O 440.
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing;
- A minimum grade average of 75% from all courses completed; and
- Enrolment in BIOL_O 440 with a research project and research supervisor approved by the department head as appropriate to Microbiology.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of the course requirements for the Major in Microbiology;
- A 75% overall grade average; and
- BIOL_O 440 (6 credits), with a minimum grade of 75%. A written thesis is required, with a public presentation in the form of a poster session or a seminar.