Microbiology Courses

Microbiology 1 - Introduction to Microbiology (5 units)
3 hours lecture; 6 hours laboratory.
Note: Total of 5 units given for Microbiology 1 and 20.
Prerequisite: Biology 3, 6, or 44 AND Physiology 1 or Chemistry 51 with a grade of "C" or better.
Major emphasis is on the nature of bacteria — their morphology, metabolism, genetics, growth and methods of controlling their populations, their aptitude in causing infectious diseases, and host-pathogen relationships. Other topics include free-living and pathogenic fungi, protozoa, the helminthes (worms) and the diseases they cause, the fundamentals of virology and immunology, bioterrorism, and potential infectious agents of bioterrorism. Laboratory techniques emphasize microscopy, aseptic techniques in cultivation, isolation, staining, enumeration, control, and identification of bacteria. Students explore microbes in soil, air, water, and food with particular emphasis on medical microbiology and the major etiological agents of disease, as well as an introduction to biotechnology.

Microbiology 20 - General Microbiology (4 units)
3 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory.
Note: Total of 5 units given for Microbiology 1 and 20.
Prerequisite: Biology 3, 6, or 44 AND Physiology 1 or Chemistry 51 with a grade of "C" or better.
Primarily the study of bacteria—their history, morphology, metabolism, genetics, growth, methods for control and most importantly, their role in infectious diseases, host-pathogen interactions, and as potential agents of bioterrorism. Other major topics covered are virology and immunology. The lab introduces skills in microscopy, and aseptic techniques in the handling, isolation, cultivation, staining, identification, genetic manipulation, and control of bacterial populations.