Objectives
The Microbiology Program is primarily aimed at training professionals through a general scientific education, and able to perform in different areas, such as: development and implementation of quality control programs in food and pharmaceutical industries, research and development of projects concerning biomedical, ecological, agricultural and environmental microbiology; technical consultancy for the production and trade of microbiological products and involvement in developing biotechnological processes, among others. Understanding these issues is key to ensure the alumnae's continuity in the Microbiology Graduate programs.
Study Plan
The syllabus consists of various courses within the following cycles:
- Basic and general sciences: Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry courses.
- Uniandes Basic Cycle Courses (CBU), with a wide range of courses that introduce the student to different disciplines.
- Structural courses, courses related to the fundamentals of knowledge in biological sciences (cellular biology, molecular biology, organismic biology, genetics, ecology, biostatistics, biochemistry and evolution).
- Specific courses offering training in microorganisms (virology, bacteriology, fungus, parasites, etc.)
- Concentration courses: these courses are intended to analyze the role of microorganisms in the industrial, environmental, biomedical, molecular and cellular fields.
- Elective courses: these courses emphasize on specific areas according to the student's career interests and Free Elective Courses are also offered in other areas. The students may choose from any of the following courses to obtain the degree: an internship in related industries or companies, a monograph or a graduation project.
The flexibility of the syllabus allows for pursuing courses in other careers, concentrations or links to graduate courses (co-terminal program), with a personalized formation adapted to the student's interests and abilities.
The above described Objectives, Alumni Profile and syllabus are sahred by the two Microbiology programs (that with a 9-semester duration and the 8-semester program offered as of 2006-2 ). In addition, in the program offered as of 2006-2, the students are given the opportunity to finish theirr career with a graduation work or a monograph.
Research or Concentration Areas
The 8-semester Microbiology Program offers students the opportunity to choose among three areas of concentration: 1. Industry and Environment 2. Biomedicine and 3. Cellular and Molecular. The third area is shared with the Biology Program. Once the students have decided what their interest is, they must pursue five courses of concentration, two compulsory and three elective . The compulsory courses of the first area are Industrial and Environmental Microbiology; in the second area, Tissue Biology and Medical Microbiology; and in the third area, Cellular and Molecular Biology of Procariots and Molecular Genetics of Eucariots. The elective courses may be chosen within the same line of concentration or from a different area.
The new 4-year program still offers the same areas of concentration that were described above. Likewise, two compulsory courses must be pursued for each line, but only one elective.
Model Program
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
Seventh Semester
| XXXX- | Profundizacion II (Obligatoria) | 4 |
| MBIO-3600 | Phytopathology - Theory | 3 |
| MBIO-3601 | Phytopathology - Laboratory | 1 |
| CLE- | Curso de Libre Elección | 3 |
| DERE-1300 | Constitution and Democracy | 3 |
| MBIO-3912 | Draft Grade Enrollment (IPG) | 1 |
| LENG-3999 | Requirement – Command of a Foreign Language | 0 |
| CBU- | Uniandino Basic Cycle Course | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Eighth Semester
| CBU- | Uniandino Basic Cycle Course | 3 |
| XXXX- | Electiva de Profundizacion | 4 |
| MBIO-3913 | Graduation Project/Monograph/Internship (TG/M/P) | 3 |
| MBIO-3914 | MBIO 3914 | 1 |
| CBUA- | Uniandino Basic Cycle Course | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Alumni Profile
The Uniandes Microbiologist is a professional possessing the tools to perform in various working activities focused on detecting problems, proposing solutions, and carrying out associated activities, as well as determining possible alternatives to enhance Microbiology processes. Similarly, the alumnae acquire the necessary elements and the spirit to pursue graduate studies.
The alumane are able to work on environmental impacts, by contributing to detecting problems derived from environmentally unfriendly constructions. in areas such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular genetics, etc.
As regards plants, specifically, in phylopatology and floriculture, and generally, in agriculture, the alumnae may work with plague control, management of new export products, farming improvement, etc, .With respect to microbiological quality control, they may also work in industries such as food processign, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, etc. Other areas of expertise could be biodeterioration of works of art, historical documents, securities, as well as a broad range of works in the bioremediation of soils and waters contaminated with pesticides or oil.