Program Contact: Shawna Reed 203-582-7486
Rapid and expanding advances in the field of medical microbiology and immunology have created a need for employees with expertise in a variety of areas. Our graduates are prepared for exciting careers in the expanding medical, clinical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, molecular and health industries. This program also prepares the student for advanced study in specialized graduate science, health and medical programs.
The program offers students a range of classroom, laboratory and independent research experiences. All courses consist of lecture and hands-on laboratories where students perform the most current research techniques. In addition to courses in the sciences, the University Curriculum course offerings prepare students with a broad-based conceptual understanding of science and its role in society.
Included in this program is a two-semester required undergraduate seminar and research experience performed with faculty in research laboratories. This experience allows the student to develop the expertise and experience to be successful in beginning a career or in graduate study. All of our students give formal presentations of their independent research projects. Many have presented the results of research experiences at professional scientific meetings.
Successful third- and fourth-year students may be able to obtain internships or part-time work experiences during the school year and/or summer in government labs and major pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies located in the region. To remain in good standing within the program, the student must maintain a math and science GPA of 2.25.
The BS in Medical Microbiology and Immunology program requires 120 credits for degree completion.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| Foundational Math & Science | ||
BIO 150 & BIO 150L | and 1 | |
BIO 151 & BIO 151L | and 1 | |
CHE 110 & CHE 110L | and 1 | |
| CHE 111 & 111L | and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHE 210 & CHE 210L | and | 4 |
| CHE 211 & CHE 211L | and | 4 |
| CHE 315 & CHE 315L | and | 4 |
| PHY 110 & PHY 110L | and 1 | 4 |
| PHY 111 & 111L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab 1 | 4 |
MA 140 | 1,2 | |
| Microbiology Core Requirements | 14 | |
BMS 370 & BMS 370L | and | |
BMS 372 & BMS 372L | and | |
BMS 375 & BMS 375L | and | |
BMS 478 | ||
BMS 483 | ||
| Microbiology and Science Electives 3,4 | 12 | |
BMS 275 | ||
BMS 299 | ||
BMS 312 | ||
BMS 319 | ||
BIO 215 | ||
BMS 373 | ||
BIO 346 & BIO 346L | and | |
BMS 470 | ||
BMS 471 | ||
BMS 472 | ||
BMS 473 | ||
BMS 474 | ||
BMS 475 | ||
BMS 477 | ||
BMS 481 | ||
BMS 482 | ||
| Immunology Electives | 3 | |
BMS 319 | ||
BMS 331 | ||
BMS 378 | ||
BMS 473 | ||
BMS 474 | ||
BMS 482 | ||
| Science Electives | 11 | |
| Select additional credits from any BMS, HSC, BIO, CHE, PHY course at the 200 level or above | ||
| Open Electives | 10 | |
| Complete additional courses to meet the 120 credit requirement | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Major courses may double count with UC courses, consult with your advisor.
- 2
Minimum mathematics requirement: MA 140. For those interested in graduate or professional schools, MA 141 is recommended.
- 3
BIO 471 and BMS 470 strongly recommended.
- 4
Additional electives and graduate courses may be selected with the approval of the Chair or Program Director.
This is an example plan of study and would be modified for each student to accommodate academic interests, post-graduate goals and choice of minor or pre-graduate/pre-health preparation. Course availability, potential transfer credits, and course prerequisite completion may influence the final course schedule for each program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| BIO 150 & BIO 150L |
and |
4 |
| CHE 110 & CHE 110L |
and UC Natural Science with Lab |
4 |
| MA 141 | UC Personal Inquiry 2 | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CHE 111 & 111L |
and General Chemistry II Lab |
4 |
| BIO 151 & BIO 151L |
and |
4 |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| PS 101 | 3 | |
| BMS 275 | 2 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BMS 370 & BMS 370L |
and |
4 |
| CHE 210 & CHE 210L |
and |
4 |
| HS 282 | 3 | |
| MA 285 | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMS 372 & BMS 372L |
and |
4 |
| CHE 211 & CHE 211L |
and |
4 |
| BIO 471 & BIO 471L |
and |
4 |
| AR 241 | Color Theory | 3 |
| BMS 482 | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BMS 375 & BMS 375L |
and |
4 |
| BIO 346 & BIO 346L |
and |
4 |
| PHY 110 & PHY 110L |
and |
4 |
| ARB 210 | Arab Culture and Society | 3 |
| BMS 481 | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMS 472 | 4 | |
| PHY 111 & 111L |
General Physics II and General Physics II Lab |
4 |
| CHE 315 & CHE 315L |
and |
4 |
| BMS 483 | 1 | |
| PS 272 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BMS 470 | 4 | |
| BMS 478 | 1 | |
| BMS 319 | 3 | |
| BMS 312 | 3 | |
| CHE 215 & 215L |
and Analytical Chemistry Lab |
4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SHS 420 | 3 | |
| BMS 378 | 3 | |
| BIO 328 & 328L |
Human Clinical Parasitology and Human Clinical Parasitology Lab |
4 |
| ENV 225 | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 123 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the medical microbiology and immunology program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Core Disciplines: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the foundational principles in the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- Advanced Knowledge: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the fundamental concepts of microbiology and immunology.
- Organisms and Host: Understand the symbiotic relationships that can exist between microorganisms and humans (mutualistic, commensal and pathogenic).
- Professional Skills: Master the essential technical and analytical skills of the microbiologist/immunologist.
- Effective Scientist: Engage in scientific research and effectively communicate the dissemination of results to various audiences.
- Responsible Citizen: Evaluate the social and ethical impact of scientific discoveries on medical practice.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Medical Microbiology and Immunology degree program is to provide students with a solid basic science foundation in preparation for studying the upper-level sciences related to immunology and microbiology. This is meant to provide many opportunities to students who are interested in pursuing graduate programs (MS/PhD) in the micro-biological sciences (e.g., bacteriology, virology, public health, etc.), as well as sciences related to immunology (e.g., vaccines, epidemiology, cancer biology, etc.).
Additionally, students may pursue one of the medical-related professions (e.g., physician, physician assistant, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist, chiropractor, etc.). Students who choose not to go on to graduate or professional school are able to apply for research and development positions in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Students learn about molecular biology with hands-on student-directed laboratory projects where thinking, planning and problem-solving skills are developed. Independent research projects under the guidance of faculty allow development of these skills with “real-world” experiences.
Student skills are evaluated continuously with written and oral presentations, encouraging the refinement of communication skills critical to a successful career. Products of student research activity are presented in seminars and at regional or national scientific meetings.
Admission
Admission into the Medical Microbiology and Immunology program is dependent on the applicant’s potential to pursue a university program and on past academic performance. The high school student applying for admission into the Medical Microbiology and Immunology program should have a strong background in the biological sciences. To remain in good standing within the program, the student must maintain a math and science GPA of 2.25.
Transfer Students from within Quinnipiac University
Students currently attending Quinnipiac University in another program may be accepted into the Medical Microbiology and Immunology program based upon a review of qualification by the program director. Students may apply upon completion of at least one semester at Quinnipiac University. Students transferring in as a junior (i.e., 57 credits or more) must have completed both the general biology requirements, specifically, 8 credits of BIO 101 & BIO 102 or BIO 150 & BIO 151, and the general chemistry requirements, specifically, 8 credits of Quinnipiac’s CHE 110 & CHE 111, prior to entry into the upper-class component of the program. Student also must meet the performance standards of the program (minimum math and science GPA of 2.25).
Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities
Transfer students from other colleges and universities may be accepted into the Medical Microbiology and Immunology program. These students must meet the program’s performance standards and course requirements. For all transfer students, a minimum GPA of 2.67 is required. Students transferring in as a junior (i.e., 57 credits or more) must have completed both the general biology requirements, specifically, the equivalent of 8 credits of Quinnipiac’s BIO 101 & BIO 102 or BIO 150 & BIO 151, and the general chemistry requirements, specifically, the equivalent of 8 credits of Quinnipiac’s CHE 110 & CHE 111, prior to entry into the upper-class component of the program. Transfer students wishing to enter this program will be given appropriate transfer credit for previous college work.
Pre-Medical Studies
The Pre-Medical Studies Designation is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing doctoral or advanced professional degrees in medicine such as MD, DO, DDS/DMD, PharmD, OD, DPM, DPT or DVM and allows students to enroll in and track typical medical or professional school course requirements. Students in any major may pursue the Pre-Medical Studies designation. Interested students should refer to the Pre-Medical Studies page for more information.
Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)
Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they:
- Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs).
- Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.
Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).
Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Medical Microbiology and Immunology
A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Medical Microbiology and Immunology program. Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| English | 3 | |
| General Biology with Lab | 4 | |
| General Chemistry with Lab | 4 | |
| Math - Precalculus | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| English II | 3 | |
| General Biology II with Lab | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II with Lab | 4 | |
| Math - Calculus | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab | 4 | |
| General Physics with Lab | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab | 4 | |
| General Physics II with Lab | 4 | |
| Microbiology with Lab | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |