Course Structure of Undergraduate B.Sc in Microbiology
A 4-year (12 semesters) Microbiology undergraduate programme has been designed including topics of recent trends in this field with emphasis on applications of microbiology in different areas of socio-economic activities. Once a student has completed this course he/she should be well equipped to fulfill the requirement for jobs in public sectors and private enterprises involved in different microbiology research, development and applications and to face the challenges of new developments in this field.
The programme of study includes courses for improving communication skills, strengthening mathematical background and acquainting the student with socio-economic and historical background of Bangladesh. With this basic background the student should face no problem to find a suitable job in different universities, research and development organizations and private enterprises.
The total credit requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Microbiology are 136. Out of these 21 credits is on general education, which is compulsory as per requirement of the BRAC University. The departmental core courses account for 76 credits including departmental core courses (63 credits) practical (6 credits), Microbiology internship (3 credits) and thesis /project (4 credits). In addition a student has to undertake 12 credits on elective courses and 27 credits from outside the major specialization. For elective and outside major courses a student can choose from several courses outlined in the syllabus in consultation with the department. The student may also be required to take non-credit remedial course in English.
Courses for Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
(a) General education (21 Credits):
1. MAT 101 Fundamentals of Mathematics
2. DEV 101 Bangladesh Studies
3. ENG 091 Foundation Course (non credit)
4. ENG 101 English Fundamentals
5. CSE 101 Introduction to Computer Science
6. ENG 102 Composition 1
7. HUM 103 Ethics and Culture
8. BIO 101 Introduction to Biology
(b) Departmental Core Courses (63 Credits):
1. MIC 101 General Microbiology
2. BCH 101 Basic Biochemistry
3. BCH 102 Biophysical Chemistry
4. MIC 102 Basic techniques in Microbiology
5. MIC 201 Microbial Chemistry
6. BCH 201 Human Physiology
7. MIC 202 Microbial metabolism
8. MIC 203 Environmental Microbiology
9. MIC 204 Medical Microbiology
10. BTE 207 Introduction to Molecular Biology
11. MIC 301 Virology
12. BCH 301 Basic Immunology
13. BTE 307 Advanced Molecular Biology
14. MIC 302 Food Microbiology
15. MIC 303 Agriculture Microbiology
16. MIC 306 Pharmaceutical Microbiology
17. MIC 308 Fermentation Technology
18. BTE 401 Bioinformatics
19. MIC 401 Microbial Genetic Engineering
20. MIC 402 Analytical Microbiology
21. MIC 403 Microbiological Quality Control of Food, Fish and Beverages
(c) Elective Courses (12 Credits):
1. MIC 304 Microbial Biotechnology
2. MIC 307 Microbiology of Frozen Food and Fish
3. BTE 315 Bioremediation and Biodeterioration
4. BTE 312 Computer Application in Biotechnology
5. BTE 317 Biostatistics
6. MIC 309 Immuno-pathology and Vaccine Development
7. MIC 404 Molecular Virology and Oncology
8. MIC 405 Drinking Water Microbiology
9. MIC 406 Medical and Diagnostic Microbiology
10. BCH 202 Enzyme and Enzyme Kinetics
11. MIC 407 Bacterial Pathogenesis and Molecular Epidemiology
12. BTE 313 Biomass and Bio-fuel
13. MIC 408 Extremophiles
14. BTE 403 DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Diagnostics
15. BTE 404 Bioprocess Technology
(d) Lab (6 Credits):
MIC 105 Microbiol Lab I
MIC 205 Microbiol Lab II
MIC 207 Microbiol Lab III
MIC 305 Microbiol Lab IV
(e) Microbiology Internship (3 credits):
MIC 400 Industrial/Research Organizations Attachment
(f) Thesis/ Project (4 Credits):
MIC 450 Microbiology Project
(g) Courses Outside Major Specialization (27 Credits):
1. ANT 101 Introduction to Anthropology
2. ARC 292* Painting
3. ARC 293* Music Appreciation
4. MIC 316 Microbes and Human Civilization
5. BTE 317 Biostatistics
6. BUS 101 Introduction to Business
7. CHE 101 Introduction to Chemistry
8. CSE 110 Programming Language
9. ENV 101 Introduction to Environmental Science
10. ECO 10 Principles of Economics
11. HUM 101 World Civilizations and Culture
12. HUM 102 Introduction to Philosophy
13. HUM 111 History of Science
14. MGT 211 Principles of Management
15. PHY 101 Introduction to Physics
16. POL 103 Introduction to Political Science
17. PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
18. SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
19. SOC 401 Gender and Development
20. STA 201 Elements of Statistics and Probability
* 2 Credit Courses
V. Semester wise Distribution of Courses
1st Year
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
MIC 101 General Microbiology 3
BIO 101 Introduction to Biology 3
First
BCH 101 Basic Biochemistry 3
DEV 101 Bangladesh Studies 3
MIC 101 Microbiol. Lab 1 1.5
ENG 101 English Fundamentals 3
Sub Total 16.5 Credits
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
MIC 102 Basic Techniques in Microbiology 3
Second CSE 101 Introduction to Computer Science 3
MAT 101 Fundamentals of Mathematics 3
ENG 102 Composition I 3
BCH 102 Biophysical Chemistry 3
HUM 103 Ethics and Culture 3
MIC 205 Microbial Lab II 1.5
Sub Total 19.5 Credits
Total Credits in First year = 16.5+19.5= 36
2nd Year
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
MIC 201 Microbial Chemistry 3
BCH 201 Human Physiology 3
Third MIC 202 Microbial Metabolism 3
Elective Course (c ) 3
Elective Course outside major(g) 3
Sub Total 15 Credits
Semester Course No. Course Name
MIC 203 Environmental Microbiology 3
MIC 204 Medical Microbiology 3
Fourth BTE 207 Introduction to Molecular Biology 3
Elective Courses outside Major 6
MIC 207 Microbiol Lab III 1.5
Sub Total 16.5 Credits
Total Credits in 2nd Year 15+16.5= 31.5 Credits
3rd Year
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
MIC 301 Virology 3
BCH 302 Basic Immunology 3
Fifth BTE307 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
MIC 302 Food Microbiology 3
Elective Course outside Major 3
MIC 305 Microbiol Lab IV 1.5
Sub Total 16.5 Credits
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
MIC 303 Agriculture Microbiology 3
MIC 304 Microbial Biotechnology 3
Sixth MIC 306 Pharmaceutical Microbiology 3
Elective Course ( c) 3
Elective Courses outside Major 6
Sub Total 18 Credits
Total Credits in Third Year 16.5+18= 34.5
4th Year
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
BTE 401 Bioinformatics 3
MIC 401 Microbial Genetic Engineering 3
Seventh Elective Course ( c) 3
Elective Courses outside Major(g) 6
MIC 450 Microbiology Project/Thesis 2
Sub Total 17 Credits
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
MIC 402 Analytical Microbiology 3
MIC 403 Microbiological Quality Control of Food, Fish and Beverages 3
MIC 400 Industrial Attachment 3
Eight MIC 450 Microbiology Project/Thesis 2
Elective Course( c ) 3
Elective Course outside Major 3
Sub Total 17 Credits
Total credits in Fourth Year 17+17= 34
Total Credits 1st Year+ 2nd Year+ 3rd Year+4th year= 36+31.5+34.5+34=136
Academic System & Evaluation Method
(a) Academic Standards
In keeping with the mission and goals in mind, the Undergraduate programme in Microbiology will strive to ensure high academic standards by implementing well-designed curricula, carefully selecting high quality students and faculty, utilizing modern and effective instructional methods and aides, and by continuously monitoring and rigorously evaluating all the pertinent activities and systems. A special feature of teaching will be the tutorial/ lab/ workshop sessions designed to assist students in learning application of the concepts and theories.
(b) Courses and Credit Requirements
The Bachelor of Science programme in Microbiology will follow the model of higher education consisting of semesters, courses, credit hours, continuous evaluation and letter grading as in all other courses of BRAC University. There are two regular semesters: Fall and Spring, each with a duration of 14 weeks and a Summer semester of 9 weeks. The undergraduate curriculum consists of general education courses, major courses, elective courses and non-major area courses.
Credit hours for a course are assigned on the basis of a 14 – week semester. One (1) credit hour means that the course meets for 60 minutes in a class each week; 3 credits mean that it will meet three times every week.
(c) Examination, Evaluation and Grading
The grading process will undoubtedly be transparent. The performance of the students is evaluated throughout the semester through class tests, quizzes, assignments, and midterm exams. End of semester evaluation includes final examinations, term papers, project reports etc. Numerical scores earned by a student in tests, examinations, assignments etc. are cumulated and converted to letter grades.
(d) Distribution of Marks & GPA Computation
The distribution of marks for the performance evaluation is as follows:
i. Theory Courses
Section Marks %
1. Quizzes/ Class Tests/ Assignments/ Participation/ Attendance 30
2. Mid Term Examination 20
3. Final Examination (comprehensive), Projects 50
Total Marks 100
ii. Lab Courses
Section Marks %
1. Reports/ Class Tests/ Participation / Viva-Voce 30
2. Lab Experiments 30
3. Final Examination 40
Total Marks 100
iii. Thesis / Project
Thesis / Project work will be spread over two semesters (7th & 8th). The mark distribution for the Thesis / Project will be as follows:
Section Marks%
1. Viva-Voce (End of the 7th semester) 15
2. Thesis / Project Work 55
3. Defence (End of 8th semester) 30
Total Marks 100
Class attendance is compulsory for every student. 5% of total marks in every course is allocated for attendance in classes including tutorials and labs. The basis for awarding marks for attendance is as follows:
Attendance Marks
90% and above 5
85% to less than 90% 4
80% to less than 85% 3
75% to less than 80% 2
70% to less than 75% 1
Less than 70% 0
If a student does not attend a minimum of 70% of the total classes including tutorials and labs, s/he will not be allowed to take the final exam.
Marks earned by the students in Class Tests, Quizzes, Assignments, Participation, Attendance, Midterm Exam , Final Exam, Projects, Term Papers etc are to be cumulated and the total is to be graded as per the scale given below:
Letter Grade GP
90 - 100 = A (4.0) Excellent
85 - < 90 = A- (3.7)
80 - < 85 = B+ (3.3)
75 - < 80 = B (3.0) Good
70 - < 75 = B- (2.7)
65 - < 70 = C+ (2.3)
60 - < 65 = C (2.0) Fair
57 - < 60 = C- (1.7)
55 - < 57 = D+ (1.3)
52 - < 55 = D (1.0) Poor
50 - < 52 = D- (0.7)
<50 = F (0.0) Failure
P: Pass
I: Incomplete
W: Withdrawal
R: Retaken
GPA Computation
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed in the following manner:
GPA = Sum of (Grade points x Credits)/ Sum of Credits Attempted