If possible, computer literacy should be included. Students can declare this major during their first year at Ohio State. However, because it takes some time to complete the necessary prerequisite courses, the first microbiology course in the major is usually taken in the third quarter of the sophomore year. Required supportive courses include two quarters of general biology, one year of general chemistry, and a quarter of organic chemistry. The GEC is a body of courses designed to ensure that each student becomes acquainted with the basic areas of academic study.
Some majors also require completion of a foreign language requirement.
Credit toward the major can also be obtained by undertaking an independent research project. The microbiology major can be completed with 198 hours of course work. In fact, Ohio State is consistently ranked among the country's best institutions for overall academic reputation. Offering over 170 majors and more than 11,000 courses, Ohio State allows students to tailor their education to their interests through double majors, minors, and personalized study programs. With hundreds of student activities and organizations, the university also offers a diversity of extracurricular experiences to those who want to be involved.