Options within these degrees offer flexibility to add emphasis in chemistry, molecular biology, physics, biotechnology, etc. Students graduating from the School have numerous career opportunities available to them including technical positions in food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, private or government laboratories and departments, and nonprofit institutions such as clinical and hospital laboratories and institutes whose main activity is research. Graduates are also well prepared for advanced degree work in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and other fields. A solid background in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics is necessary for the student interested in training in the School. Good communication skills, with emphasis on writing skills, along with basic reading skills that enable students to read and understand the large quantity of material required to succeed in college-level courses are strongly recommended.
Computer literacy is also highly recommended.
Equipment for ultracentrifugation, recombinant DNA techniques, HPLC, protein analysis and purification, DNA sequencing and synthesizing, etc. is available. A variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored programs are available to assist qualified students with educational costs. Financial aid counselors at WSU work with students and families in planning to meet these costs through financial aid and other financial services. Several scholarships are available annually to undergraduates, including one for promising freshmen interested in considering microbiology as a major. In addition, the School awards three other scholarships for Microbiology majors based on academic performance and financial need.