Microbial Science (Minor)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program Description
Microorganisms are ubiquitous components of natural and human engineered ecosystems, where they drive important processes like elemental cycling and pathogenic disease. The study of microbial biology encompasses techniques from microscopy and cultivation to high throughput genetics and computation, and in environments ranging from the human body to the entire ocean, and conditions from soils in upstate New York to liquids of the International Space Station. Microbiologists have a common interest in understanding the genomic and regulatory adaptations of microorganisms to the habitats in which they live (from within host cells to free-living bacteria in extreme environments), and the impacts of microorganisms on their surroundings. At the same time, because most elemental cycling on the planet is mediated by microorganisms, microbiologists investigate the impacts of habitat perturbations, including global climate change, on microbial function.
The minor in microbial sciences is intended for students who are either not enrolled in the Biology Major or who are taking a concentration other than Microbiology within the Biology Major.
Students graduating with the Microbial Sciences Minor will find careers in areas including but not limited to: graduate studies in microbiology, microbial ecology, virology, industrial and food microbiology, microbial biotechnology, and human and veterinary medicine, leading to positions in academic institutions, government agencies; hospitals and aquaria; industries involving microbial technologies (i.e. biotechnology); food science, including fermentative industries and food safety; and government health agencies.
Any undergraduate student at Cornell may enroll in the minor.
Academic Standards
Grade Requirements
All courses must be taken for a letter grade. Grades of S/U or SX/UX will not be accepted.
Each course must be completed with a grade of C or better to count toward the minor.