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Earn a microcredential
Gain specialized skills quickly online, with the option to stack credits into a future degree.
Microbiology – Online Minor
Oregon State University’s minor in microbiology, offered by OSU’s College of Science, provides you with a fundamental understanding of the discipline of microbiology and its laboratory techniques. You can select a general area of study or choose from specialized topics such as immunology, virology, or human health.
Adding a minor in microbiology will pay career dividends for professionals in a variety of fields including food production, environmental science, medicine or research. It’s also a strong foundation if you’re preparing for professional or graduate school.
You’ll gain competencies in the following areas:
- Acquiring, articulating, retaining and applying specialized language and knowledge relevant to microbiology.
- Acquiring and demonstrating competency in lab safety and in routine and specialized microbiological lab skills applicable to microbiological research or clinical methods, including accurately reporting observations and analysis.
- Communicating scientific concepts, experimental results and analytical arguments clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
An example of the courses that would fulfill the minor requirements could include:
Category 1: Each student must take MB 255/BHS 255 or MB 230 or (MB 302 and 303)
BHS 255* Allied Health Microbiology
MB 230* Introduction to Microbiology
MB 302 General Microbiology
Category 2: Take 14 - 23 credits in this category
BHS 316 Principles of Immunology
MB 320 Human Bacteriology
BHS 329 Mechanisms of Disease: Introduction to General Pathology
BOT 350 Introductory Plant Pathology
BHS 323^ Microbial Influences on Human Health
MB 340 Introductory Virology
MB 480 Parasitology
Category 3: Take 0 - 9 credits in this category
MB 330 Disease and Society
BOT 324 Fungi in Society
ANS 302 Common Diseases of Companion Animals
H 312 HIV/AIDS & STIS in Modern Society
H 320 Introduction to Human Disease
H 425 Foundations of Epidemiology
* Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
^ Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
Adding a microbiology minor is a good companion to other Oregon State Ecampus online degree programs, such as:
- Public health: Combine knowledge of infectious agents with your understanding of the relationships between culture and health.
- Natural resources and environmental sciences: Gain a deeper understanding of the historical relationship of nature and culture to identify how we can preserve our current environment.
- Agricultural sciences: The microbiology minor is a good fit as an area of focus for this customizable program. Create your own area of expertise to fit your career goals.
- Fisheries and wildlife sciences: Pursue your goal of maintaining a balanced ecosystem for species and habitat in the wild.
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