Microbiology

Is Microbiology right for you?

If you are interested in ecology, genetics, cellular, or molecular biology, you might want to explore one of the two degrees available in the field of Microbiology. Microbiologists study the way that microscopic organisms—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—function, evolve, and cause disease.

The Department of Biology offers the Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (B.S.). The degree options begin similarly, making it easy to adjust your path as your interests develop. We also offer a Microbiology minor that is a valuable addition to many areas of study.

Question critically + Think logically

The Microbiology program provides core lectures and hands-on laboratory experiences to introduce students to the form, function, genetics, and evolution of diverse microorganisms, with an emphasis on bacteria and viruses.

You learn how diverse microbes positively and negatively impact our health, society, and the environment. You use the scientific process to interpret, evaluate, and communicate biological information, as well as to identify and address open questions in microbiology. You are encouraged to pursue independent research projects under the mentorship of research faculty.

We offer courses in microbial ecology, microbial genetics, medical microbiology, cellular biology, virology, and molecular biology. The two routes to a microbiology degree differ in the amount of chemistry and math required, giving you a chance to determine whether you prefer the B.A. or B.S. option.

You can supplement your degree with minors or certificates in areas such as business, environmental science, animal behavior, and psychology. Outstanding students are encouraged to fulfill the requirements for an honors degree.

Curious about Microbiology?

The vast majority of life is too small to see with the naked eye. The unseen microbial world accounts for most of the Earth’s biomass. Most of the cells in and on our own bodies are not our own—they are microbes. Microbes are crucial players in global cycles, removing as much greenhouse gas from the atmosphere as all plant life on Earth.

Beyond that, cellular microbes—bacteria, archaea, and fungi—are greatly outnumbered by viruses. The viruses in the oceans alone are estimated to weigh as much as 75-million blue whales and, if strung together, could crisscross our galaxy 100 times (Suttle. 2005. Nature.).

Preparing for a career in microbiology

Graduates of the Microbiology program are well situated for a wide range of careers in health-related professions, biological and medical research, and biotechnology fields—including pharmaceutical and biofuel development, laboratory quality control and diagnostics, public and public and global health, environmental and science policy, law and intellectual property, business, education, and science writing.

Students with the Microbiology B.S. degree are well prepared to apply to medical, dental, and optometry schools, or may wish to pursue graduate school to become microbiologists in a laboratory setting.

Learn more about career preparation

Featured courses

The snout of a pig poking through a barnyard fence.

Environmental Microbiology Laboratory

BIOL M465

The labs for M465 are designed to familiarize students with how research in environmental microbiology is designed, performed, analyzed, and communicated.

Microbiology of Infectious Disease

BIOL M380

Any single case of infectious disease presents a multi-faceted problem; pathogenesis is directly related to the specific molecular interactions of the pathogen with the host cell and immune system.

Viral Tissue Culture Laboratory

BIOL M435

Develop laboratory techniques in phage, viruses, and tissue culture in this upper-level microbiology course.

Interested in pursuing a degree in Microbiology?

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