Microbiology Degree in the U.S.A.
by Nivanthie Marambe
When considering an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences, most students believe that the only obvious decision is to go into medical school and become a doctor. However, there are several different professions that can be selected, depending on the specialization of the degree. When I started university, I was one of those students that believed that the only destination for me was to go into medical school and become a doctor. However, this was before I learned about a microbiology degree. I became fascinated by the study of microorganisms and became more aware of the importance of these small organisms. For example, when looking at food, certain types of food that are undercooked can cause stomach flu due to bacteria that have not been killed in the food correctly, or epidemics that are caused in certain areas of the world could be due to specific types of microorganisms.
Microbiology is a subdivision of Biology that studies the effects of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This branch of biology involves the study of organisms that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Although these organisms are small, they are very important for the understanding of diseases and infections that occur in the world today. Within the study of microbiology, this broad subject branches out to other more specific types of microorganisms, such as virology (the study of viruses), bacteriology (the study of bacteria), mycology (the study of fungi), or immunology (the study of how the body defends itself against other invasions.)
When studying to become a microbiologist, the first two years of your degree will feel very similar to the Advance Level Biology classes that you would have already taken. Since, in the United States, most college professors believe that students have not fully grasped the basic biology concepts taught during their science classes in high school, they tend of go through those concepts again. After searching through the classes that are required, you may talk to a biology advisor to see whether your advanced level grades can be considered for credit for certain courses needed for your degree.
Courses required
As with all degrees in the United States, students are required to take certain general education courses. These courses are to help enlighten your learning capacity by having you take courses that you would normally not take. For example, you will be required to take a psychology course, speech course, and a history course. Along with these classes, you will be required to take courses that are more specific to your major. With a microbiology degree, all students are required to take 1 year of physics, 1 year of math (usually up to a calculus 1 class, which is a combination of advanced algebra and geometry), about 2 and half years of chemistry (which includes inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry), and the remaining classes are from the biology section of the degree. The chemistry courses that are required also goes towards a chemistry minor which you would receive with the degree. These courses also depend on the university that you decide to attend, however the requirements for most universities in the United States are very similar. I would recommend that all students studying microbiology take an upper division immunology course and an upper division (advanced college course) medical microbiology course, since these two courses are the foundation for the understanding of microbiology.
Working while studying
The combination of studying and working is very difficult to accomplish especially while studying in university. However, I would definitely recommend that you apply for an internship position at a research company during your junior year in university. This would help you gain the experience needed when you are ready for a full time profession in microbiology. An internship will also help you become more skilled at using the microbiology techniques you would have learned in your courses. Another type of job training that can be done while studying would be to work with a university professor on a research assignment. Most biology professors are working on there own research projects while also teaching the courses that they are most experienced in. This would also help you receive the training you would need along with a good recommendation from the professor for higher studies or for a job position.
Jobs in Microbiology
As a microbiologist, there are many different areas that you can obtain a profession in. Most of these jobs will consist of working in a laboratory, studying through specimens of organisms or human samples. Here in the United States, there are numerous amounts of laboratories that microbiologists are needed in. There are laboratories in universities, in hospitals, in companies that produce food, agriculture, or companies that produce make up. These are just a few areas that would require the profession of microbiologists. Currently, however, in the United States, due to the economy, jobs are very limited and companies are looking for experienced individuals, compared to entry level new graduates. However, I do believe that if you take the correct courses and work on an internship while going through your studies, you should definitely be able to find a job that is more specific to your interests in microbiology.
Good luck to all who are interested in microbiology, we definitely need more microbiologists in this world!
About the Author
Nivanthie Marambe attended San Jose State University in California, where she did her Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry. Currently, she is working as a middle school teacher.
