Microbiology
The study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms.
Microbiology studies organisms too small to see with the naked eye, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and how they affect health, food, agriculture, and the environment. It builds on general biology and chemistry with specialized coursework in microbial genetics, immunology, and virology.
Lab-heavy from early on, coursework trains you in sterile technique, culturing organisms, and identifying microbes, skills that transfer directly into research, healthcare, food safety, or public health lab work.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- ✓Microbiology
- ✓Immunology
- ✓Virology
- ✓Microbial Genetics
- ✓Molecular Biology
- ✓Epidemiology Fundamentals
- ✓Undergraduate Research
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Microbiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Immunology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Virology
- +Free elective
- ✓Microbial Genetics
- +Free elective
- ✓Molecular Biology
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Epidemiology Fundamentals
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Undergraduate Research
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Fascinated by the microscopic world and infectious disease
- ★Enjoys precise, methodical lab work
- ★Interested in public health, medicine, or research
- ★Comfortable with a heavy science course load
Common minors & double-major pairings
Public Health · Chemistry · Biology
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Microbiology major?
The study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms.
What courses do Microbiology majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like General Biology & Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Microbiology program?
Microbiology coursework typically builds skills like Sterile lab technique and microbial culturing, Understanding infectious disease and immune response, Molecular and genetic analysis techniques, Data interpretation from lab experiments.
Is Microbiology a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Fascinated by the microscopic world and infectious disease" or "Enjoys precise, methodical lab work" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Microbiology degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Medical Laboratory Technologist. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Microbiology?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Public Health, Chemistry, Biology.
How is Microbiology different from Biology?
They're related but distinct. Microbiology: The study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Biology: The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Microbiology degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/microbiology