Microbiology Major Program

Microbiology Engagement Program

The engagement program is open to all declared undergraduate Microbiology students. The goal of this program is to engage and integrate undergraduate Microbiology students into the Bacteriology Department through structured, pre-determined activities that you complete outside of the classroom and in research.  

Students who participate in this program and complete all program requirements will be recognized in our Hub newsletter, department newsletter, and potentially other avenues at the end of the academic year. This is also a great activity to add to your resume! 

The Microbiology Engagement Program encourages, celebrates, and recognizes the importance of students’ involvement within the department. We hope that once you complete this program, you will leave with an increased sense of belonging, increased understanding of research going on in the Department/in the microbial sciences, and increased connections with department faculty and other undergraduates in the Microbiology major. 

Program Requirements

Students must complete at least 12 points across multiple sections (including all activities in Section 1) before the end of the academic year to fulfill program requirements. All requirements must be completed within the year you are participating (Fall and Spring semester of an academic year).  

Students may participate in this program multiple years! You will need to sign up for the Canvas course each year to “reset” your points. Points cannot be carried across multiple years. 

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Section 1: Complete Once Per Year

1 point each — must complete all at least once per academic year  

  • Attend an event hosted by, or held in collaboration with, the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub. 
  • Attend in-person Drop-in Hours at the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub office.

Section 2: Get to Know the Department and Resources

1 point each — can repeat activities for points where applicable.   

  • Enroll in MICROBIO 150 (can be taken in the first year only). 
  • Assist the Hub in some capacity outside of the classroom or advising appointment. 
    • Examples include events, tours, sticker design submissions, and more. 
  • Conduct an independent faculty informational interview. 
    • Note: If you are enrolled in MICROBIO 150, the faculty interview assignment cannot be double-counted for this point.

Section 3: Get to Know Your Classmates

2 point each — can repeat activities for points where applicable.

  • Participate in the Peer Mentor Program as a mentor and/or mentee 
  • Maintain membership and be an active member in the Microbiology student organization Microbio Club. 
  • Be a TA or student helper/assistant in a MICROBIO course. You must be enrolled in 299 or 699 credits as a part of this experience. 

Section 4: Engage with the Field of Microbiology

3 points each — can repeat activities for points where applicable. 

  • Attend a minimum of three Distinguished Lectures in Microbiology seminars hosted by the Bacteriology Department (1 point each; must attend 3). 
  • Attend the Undergraduate Research Symposium and review a minimum of three presentations and/or research displays. 
  • Attend a Lab Tour or Site Visit hosted by CALS Career Services. 
  • Enroll in a MICROBIO elective course (choose from MICROBIO 324, 325, 335, 345, 357, 425, 520, 523, 525, 545, 612, 626, 657, 668). 

Section 5: Dive Deep into Microbial Research

Only 4 points can be obtained from this section once per year. 

  • Be involved in a Bacteriology research lab for pay or for credit for at least 2 semesters. 
  • Complete a two-semester Senior Thesis (691/692) or Senior Honors Thesis (681/682). 
  • Present and/or Display research in the Undergraduate Research Symposium.  
  • Complete a non-research based experiential learning opportunities related to Microbiology*.  
    • Examples: Internship, Optional Practical Training (OPT), literature review paper of a microbial topic, research in BIOLOGY 152, etc. 

*Please talk to Richelle at rdkasten@wisc.edu for further information and approval of non-research experience. 

Eligibility and Registration

The opportunity to participate in this program and be recognized for your participation is open to any declared undergraduate Microbiology major. This program will be offered each year, and students are able to participate multiple years. Points cannot be carried into new program years and students must sign up for the new Canvas course each year they participate.  

Students who participate in this program will have access to the program Canvas course, where they will track their attendance and involvement in activities and events. Students are responsible for filling out their participation form and/or completing the sign-in sheet for events and activities listed above.  

Interested in participating? Next steps are easy! Sign up for the program by accessing the Microbiology Engagement Program Canvas course:

Sign Up Here!