Microbiologists are involved in activities as different as the study of gene structure, the control of disease, and the industrial processes based on the ability of microorganisms to decompose and synthesize complex organic molecules. Microbiology is one of the most rewarding of professions because it provides the opportunity to be in contact with all the other natural sciences and thus to contribute in many different ways to the betterment of life. Undergraduate studies in these areas will prepare students for admission to professional schools, graduate programs in microbiology and for positions as health officers, sanitarians, and biotechnicians for private industry and government. High school students or community college transfers considering a career in microbiology will find it helpful to have a strong background in mathematics and chemistry. An excellent advising program is available to undergraduates and prospective students are encouraged to consult with the department's chief adviser or other faculty members working in an area of interest to them.
Many students gain practical experience through internships, particularly in food microbiology.
Several scholarships are available for microbiology majors. For more information, contact the microbiology chief adviser. The Department of Microbiology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department also participates in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and the Masters of Agriculture graduate programs. Students in both the Master's and Ph.D. programs are required to complete a research project leading to a thesis.