Support the CollegeCollege of Arts & Science & University Studies
Academic Advising
What Can I Do With a Major in Microbiology?
Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. It is a field whose challenges range from understanding mechanisms of infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance to utilizing microorganisms to clean up an environmentally devastating oil spill; from applying biotechnology to produce human insulin in bacterial cells to manipulating bacterial genes for improving agricultural crops and livestock; from stimulating our immune rejection of tumor cells to replacing hazardous chemicals with insecticidal viruses.
The Department of Microbiology offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in microbiology and a Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science.
Interests
A special curiosity about forms of life usually not seen by others; an enthusiasm for the hands-on experience of laboratory investigation; the imagination to pose challenging questions; and the desire to improve our quality of life
Competencies
- Research
- Collecting/interpreting data
Operating knowledge of scientific equipment
Experimenting with ideas/procedures
Organizing/classifying
Inspecting/examining
Diagnosing
Testing hypotheses
Problem solving
Thinking critically - Communication
- Writing reports/articles/grant proposals
Summarizing data
Maintaining records
Presenting proposals/reports - Project Development
- Designing projects
Developing/generating ideas
Perceiving patterns/structures
Opportunities - Careers
A major in microbiology prepares one for a career in almost any field in medicine and biology, and in every sector of the economy: universities, colleges, schools, hospitals, government agencies (CDC, EPA, NASA), congress, industry (biotechnology, food safety, and pharmaceutical), business (patent law), and communications (medical writers).
- Infectious disease
Technical sales
Product development
Medical illustration
Genetic engineering
Bioreclamation
Scientific research
Forensic medicine
Environmental health
Laboratory administration
Veterinary microbiology
Human genome project
Patent law
Bioremediation
Bioethics
Biotechnology
Education
Virology
Microbial ecology
Epidemiology
Clinical microbiology
Pollution control
Technical writing
Immunology
Infection control
Quality control
Food technology
Molecular biology
Vaccine development
Microbial genetics
Public health
Microbial physiology
Environmental law
Agricultural microbiology
Drug development
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students may choose to continue their graduate education in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, microbial ecology and environmental biology, biochemistry, immunology, virology, mycology, or clinical microbiology. These degrees also serve as an excellent stepping-stone to medical school (the requirements for the majors in Microbiology are virtually the same as those which will qualify students to apply to medical, dental and veterinary school).
Opportunities - Experiential
Many of our majors participate in the research programs of our faculty members. In addition, opportunities are available for microbiology majors to participate in summer internship programs in a variety of university, government and industrial research laboratories. Many students also become involved in summer or part-time and volunteer work in research and clinical laboratories. Involvement in student organizations such as the Microbiology and Pre-Med Clubs provides opportunities for leadership experience and contact with professional microbiologists.
Sources of Additional Information
- Department of Microbiology (32 Pearson Hall, 529-5422)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
- * Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.