The Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology offers students preparation for training positions leading to licensure as registered clinical laboratory scientists; for graduate studies; for various employment opportunities in the public health sector; environmental agencies; biotechnology, pharmaceutical, fermentation, sanitation, and dairy industries; or in research in university/private/clinical laboratories. Students pursuing a degree in microbiology may qualify for entrance to medical or dental schools by including appropriate elective courses in their programs.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology is 120 units, of which 48 units are required in General Education (GE) with 9 units of GE double-counted for GE and major, which leaves  81 units in the major.  For GE, Microbiology majors must complete 9 units of Communication and Critical Thinking (GE Block A1, A2, and A3) + 6 units of American Institutions + 6 units of Arts and Humanities (GE Block C) + 6 units of Social Sciences (GE Block D) + 3 units of Life-Long Understanding (GE Block E, which can be fulfilled by completing the IHE course) + 9 units of upper division (UD) GE. To fulfill the Upper Division GE requirement, students must complete one course in each of the three following breadth areas (Natural Science and Mathematics; Humanities; and Social Sciences). Two GE courses must be certified as Diversity Courses (d=Designated Diversity courses). At least one diversity course must focus on race and ethnicity and will be designated with re in the catalog (re = Race and Ethnicity Designated Diversity course). One GE course at the upper division level must contain a Civic Learning or Community Engagement component (CL = Designated Civic Learning/Community Engagement courses). In addition to composition courses taken for Blocks A2 and A3, students will complete at least two writing intensive courses with at least one in the major (WI = Designated Writing Intensive Courses). Microbiology majors fulfill 9 units of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (GE Block B1, B2, and B4) by completing required major or equivalent courses either CHEM 1100 OR PHYS 1100 (whichever one is completed first) for GE Block B1; BIOL 1100 for GE Block B2 + Microbiology majors fulfill Mathematics (GE - Block B4) by completing the required major course (MATH 2040 or equivalent) or prerequisite course (MATH 1050 or MATH 1081 or MATH 1085 or equivalent) or other college level math (if changing major to microbiology).. Consult with a department advisor for more specifics on free electives, GE, and other university requirements.