Getting Started

College: CNS

(Revised Spring 2019)

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Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses.  More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses.  Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at www.umass.edu/gened.  Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Social World/Diversity courses are recommended.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Required prerequisites:

• CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 (“C-” or higher required in both)
• MATH 127 and either MATH 128 or STATISTC 240
• BIOLOGY 151 and then BIOLOGY 152 plus BIOLOGY 153 lab (a “C-” or higher is required in these courses, Bio 152 requires a "C" or better in Bio 151)

Minimum grades in prerequisite courses :

• A “C-” is required in CHEM 111 to enroll in CHEM 112.
• A "C-" is required in CHEM 112 to enroll in CHEM 261.
• A “C” is required in MICROBIO 310 and 312 to enroll in Microbiology courses over 312.

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How to Declare/Change into the Major

For curent & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major.  Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

To graduate on time, students should declare by sophomore year. See the Chief Undergraduate Advisor to do so.

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Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Thirty-five credits in Microbiology courses must include MICROBIO 310, 312, 320, 330, 360 and 480 as well as two upper level Microbiology lab courses and the IE Requirement.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes - A minor is available!  Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

For further information, contact:
Dr. Heather Reed
hreed@umass.edu
**Please make appointments by using the following link: https://umass.campus.eab.com**