Bachelor of Microbial Biology at University of California, Berkeley

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (PMB) offers an undergraduate major program in Microbial Biology, leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Microbial biology focuses on small life forms such as microbes, viruses, and fungi that make up the majority of planetary biomass. Microbes play fundamental roles in maintaining biosphere health. They degrade environmental pollutants, supply essential nutrients and chemicals directly to multicellular organisms, and engage in numerous beneficial symbioses with higher organisms.

Admission to the Major

Advice on admission for freshmen and transfer students can be found on the Rausser College of Natural Resources Admissions Guide page or the college's Prospective Student website. Freshman students may apply directly to the major, or they may select the Rausser College of Natural Resource's undeclared option and declare the major by the end of their fourth semester. Transfer students may apply directly to the major through the UC application.

Information for current Berkeley students who would like to declare the major after admission, including information on a change of major or change of college, please see chapter 6 of the Rausser College of Natural Resources Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Research Opportunities

In addition to the Berkeley campus Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP), Rausser College students can also apply for the college's Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) program. For more information, please see the college's website.

Honors Program

Students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher may enroll in the Rausser College of Natural Resources Honors Program (H196) once they have reached upper division standing. To fulfill the program requirements, students work with a faculty sponsor to design, conduct, and report on an individual research project. For further information about registration for the honors symposium and the honors requirements, please see the college's website.

Other Major Program offered by the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

Genetics and Plant Biology (Major only)

Visit Department Website

Students should be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate a solid grasp of the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and math that are necessary for understanding the more advanced concepts that are presented in upper division major coursework.
2. Have the skills to evaluate scientific information as a result of receiving adequate training in statistics, computational biology and genomics.
3. Have an understanding and appreciation of microbial diversity in various ecosystems.
4. Have an understanding of the importance of microbes as related to biotechnology and human health.
5. Have an understanding of the scientific method and the microbial research process.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in scientific writing and presentation.
7. Have exposure to an undergraduate research experience. The goal is to give every microbial biology undergraduate the opportunity to do research in either a laboratory or field research setting. This experience would include reading and evaluating primary literature, critical thinking and the development of a hypothesis to test and other aspects of the scientific method including data analysis, as well as oral and written presentation of their research.
8. Appreciate the relationship between a microbial biology major and the community at large.