La Microbiología es la ciencia que estudia los microorganismos - bacterias, hongos, protistas y parásitos- y otros agentes como virus, viroides y priones. Los microorganismos cumplen funciones esenciales en todos los ecosistemas; estableciendo relaciones mutualistas, parasíticas o neutras entre ellos y con los demás organismos. Desde hace miles de años, estos organismos han sido aprovechados para la producción de alimentos y actualmente poseen el mayor potencial de aprovechamiento biotecnológico dada su diversidad metabólica.
La microbiología es una ciencia en proceso de expansión, a medida que descubrimos la enorme diversidad y potencial de los microorganismos, por lo que surgen continuamente nuevas líneas de trabajo como fagoterapia, exobiología, biología sintética, entre otras. Se estima que se conoce apenas el 1% de los microorganismos existentes, situación que ofrece una enorme oportunidad para la investigación y el desarrollo tecnológico.
Para el estudio de los microorganismos se utilizan diversas técnicas que van desde procedimientos de laboratorio que se implementaron hace más de un siglo, hasta técnicas de ADN recombinante, genómicas y de nanotecnología que han expandido la visión del mundo microbiológico en la última década. Los microorganismos son de gran interés por su importancia clínica, ambiental y biotecnológica. Algunos de ellos son agentes causales de diversas enfermedades infecciosas (SIDA, tuberculosis, mal de Chagas, algunos cánceres, diversas enfermedades en plantas y animales, etc.) y otros producen compuestos que combaten infecciones (antibióticos). En el campo ambiental son usados para el desarrollo de tecnologías limpias y sostenibles, como por ejemplo la producción de biocombustibles y bioinsumos agrícolas, y procesos de biorremediación, control biológico y reciclaje. En la industria alimenticia son fundamentales en la producción de vinos, quesos, pan, entre otros; pero también pueden causar deterioro en los alimentos. La microbiología permite conocer el mundo de los microorganismos, entender su importancia y aprovechar la diversidad de sus funciones para mejorar la calidad de vida del hombre.
Applicant Profile
The aspiring Microbiologist has a great interest in researching “small” beings. He is attracted to studying bacteria, fungi, unicellular organisms and viruses, among others. He has enjoyed his classes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, particularly his laboratories. He loves to experiment and dreams of handling test tubes, culture plates and microscopes in a laboratory. He has surely been curious about the agents that cause diseases in both animals and plants.
He is also interested in the applications of microorganisms in the food or pharmaceutical industry or for biotechnological applications such as environmental recovery. He enjoys working in the laboratory but is no stranger to field work. He is thorough, pays attention to details and has a great capacity for observation, interpretation and analysis, as well as a good capacity for abstraction. He reads and critically appreciates scientific news.
Objectives
The main objective of the Undergraduate Program in Microbiology is to prepare critical, analytical, and multidisciplinary professionals who, having received a general scientific training, can perform in different work fields, such as: development and implementation of quality control programs in food and pharmaceutical industries; research and development of projects in biomedical, agricultural, industrial, environmental microbiology and microbial ecology; technical advice to entities producing and marketing microbiological products; participation in the development of biotechnological processes, among others.
The general study plan allows students to design their program according to their interests, which promotes a diversity of profiles among graduates. Thus, for example, graduates may have an orientation toward basic or applied research, have one or more areas of specialization, or take a double program simultaneously. They are also qualified to continue their academic training in postgraduate programs, both nationally and internationally, in institutions of academic excellence.
Study Plan
The curriculum of the Microbiology program is comprised of three stages as follows:
- Foundation Stage: This stage is composed of two main components that students are expected to take between the first and fourth semester (1-4 semester):
Common core: These courses promote the development of basic scientific skills and are common to all programs in the Faculty of Sciences.
Text courses: They provide a solid foundation in the biological sciences and are the only requirements for subsequent courses.
- Learning in Context Stage: This stage is composed of a main component divided in terms of conceptual area and taxonomic group. This stage is highly elective and lasts 3 semesters (5-7 semester):
Context courses: These are elective courses that delve into specific areas of knowledge, according to the student's particular interest and the Department's lines of research. Through different modalities, they offer broad flexibility and electives; active and autonomous learning; and articulation between teaching and research.They offer subjects in two groups of microorganisms:1. Bacteria, Archae, and Viruses (BAV), and 2. Eukaryotes (E), and four different areas for their study: 1. Green or Environmental Biotechnology (Bv), 2. Red or Biomedical Biotechnology (Br), 3. White or Industrial Biotechnology (Bb), and 4. Molecular Biology (BM). Once the student's interest has been defined, he or she can take two to three additional courses to further his or her study in any of the areas described above.
- Professional Projection Stage:This stage emphasizes specific areas, according to the student's interests in his/her career, through one of the following modalities: entrepreneurship and innovation; work experience in public or private organizations; degree work; research internship or monograph. This part of the program would take one semester (8 semester).
The flexibility of the program allows students to take courses from other degrees, take optional courses or take postgraduate courses that can be recognized if they decide to continue studying a master's degree at the University. In this way, students have personalized training that adapts to their interests and abilities.
Master's Courses of the Department of Biological Sciences
Alternatively, undergraduate students may take courses from master's degrees that will be homologated for up to 12 credits if they begin a master's degree (Master's in Biological Sciences - Biology Area, Master's in Biological Sciences - Microbiology Area).
Research or Concentration Areas
The Microbiology program, structured in eight semesters, offers in-depth courses in specific areas of knowledge, according to the particular interest of the student, and according to the research lines of the Department. The wide flexibility and electives supported by active and autonomous learning allow students of the program to delve into green (environmental), red (biomedical), white (industrial) biotechnology and molecular biology of microscopic taxonomic groups within bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotes.
Model Program
Students must confirm that they have completed the credits required for each program and the General Student Regulations. One academic credit is equivalent to 48 hours of academic work in the semester. Full enrollment for each semester generally allows for enrollment of 16 credits per semester.
It is recommended that during each semester of studies, as a student, you consult with your academic coordinator and advisory professors to review your academic records (folders) and plan your academic path at Uniandes in an organized manner.
$name
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
Seventh Semester
Eighth Semester
| MBIO-3913 | Trabajo de Grado, Monografía, Pasantía o Emprendimiento | 3 |
| MBIO-3914 | Seminario de Microbiología | 1 |
| - | CBU | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Alumni Profile
Microbiologists from the Universidad de los Andes are professionals who, having received a general scientific education, can work in different fields of work, such as: development and implementation of quality control programs in food and pharmaceutical industries; research and development of projects in biomedical, agricultural, industrial, environmental microbiology and microbial ecology; technical advice to entities producing and marketing microbiological products; participation in innovation and in the development of biotechnological processes, among others. The extensive training in these aspects facilitates the graduate's continuation of postgraduate studies in different areas of Microbiology.
The professors and researchers of the Department of Biological Sciences are recognized nationally and internationally, and most of them have doctoral degrees obtained from prestigious international universities. Likewise, the Microbiology students of the Universidad de los Andes have access to top-quality resources for their training. The laboratories, the bioterium, the greenhouse, robust and cutting-edge equipment, computing capacity, multiple audiovisual aids, numerous specialized and easily accessible bibliographic databases, and the CJ Marinkelle Natural History Museum stand out.
Contact Information
Phones: 3394999 Ext. 2761
Ana Carolina Ronseria Jimenez
Academic coordinator
Department of Biological Sciences
ac.ronseria@uniandes.edu.co
Tel. 3394999 ext. 3197
Alejandro Reyes Muñoz
Academic Coordinator Biology and Microbiology
a.reyes@uniandes.edu.co
Tel. 3394999 ext. 2763