This page is a starting point to access information about the Department of Microbiology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, about our faculty, research activities, graduate and undergraduate programs.
Microbiology deals with microscopic cellular life forms and viruses.
Though small in size, microorganisms exhibit an extremely wide range of biochemical activities, many of which cause disease, destroy our crops and livestock, rot our foods, our dwellings, our clothing and our books. However, many also play essential roles in the production of foods and beverages, of drugs and vaccines and of commercial solvents and other organic chemicals. Microorganisms are indispensable to all forms of life through the maintenance of the fertility of the soil and in the removal of plant, animal and human waste from the earth and water.