M.Sc. Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of the biology of microscopic organisms - viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, slime molds, and protozoa. The methods used to study and manipulate these minute and mostly unicellular organisms differ from those used in most other biological investigations. Recombinant DNA technology uses microorganisms, particularly bacteria and viruses, to amplify DNA sequences and generate the encoded products. Moving genes from one microorganism to another, or amplifying them within microorganisms, permits application of microbial skills to solve medical and environmental problems. Many microorganisms are unique among living things in their ability to use gaseous nitrogen from the air for their nutritional requirements, or to degrade complex macromolecules in such materials as wood. By rearranging the genes that control these and other processes, scientists seek to engineer microorganisms that will process wastes, fertilize agricultural land, produce desirable biomolecules, and solve other problems inexpensively and safely.
Microbiologists pursue careers in many fields, including agricultural, environmental, food, and industrial microbiology; public health; resource management; basic research; education; and pharmaceuticals. The Microbiology major also incorporates the requirements expected for admission to medical, dental, and other health-professional schools, and to graduate schools in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and related disciplines.
The following list provides a brief sample of responsibilities, employers, jobs, and industries for individuals with a degree in this major. This is by no means an exhaustive listing, but is simply designed to give initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.
Areas
Environmental/Veterinary
- Study how organisms such as bacteria function and react to themselves and other processes in the environment, such as pollution, plants, animals, and seasonal & evolutionary changes.
- Examination of microbes role in the cycling of inorganic nutrients and weathering of minerals.
- Purify and treat water for safe consumption and use.
Industrial
- Examine food supply later distributed to grocery stores and other vendors.
- Ensure food and beverage supply is free of pathogenic organisms potentially harmful to health of those who consume it.
- Guarantee food is safe to distribute to public.
- Dairy/Agriculture management & quality control.
- Identify, catalogue, or culture microbes for industrial production (Cosmetics, toiletries, oil, sales, breweries, etc.).
Legal
- Knowledge about microbial species and products in drafting patents and technological transfer agreements.
Medical/Pharmaceutical
- Identify disease-causing bacteria that may have affected a patient or potentially could affect the human body (Medical).
- Assist in preventing the spread of disease by containing & treating it (Epidemiology).
- Test organisms for vaccine development or distribution of medicine (Immunology, Mol. Pathogenesis, Virology).
Research
- Study and test bacteria and other organisms in controlled environments to understand their breakdown and reaction to various tests (Epidemiology, Immunology, Mol. Pathogenesis, Virology).
- Identifying bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections to prevent epidemics.
- Study the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of micro-organisms and research the functioning of human, animal and plant tissues and cells.
Safety/Homeland Security
- Combination of field and lab research working with biological agents to protect against bioterrorism.
- Vaccine and anti-viral development for serious or fatal illnesses.
Teaching
- Lecture about the systems and advances of microbiology.
- Conduct microbiology research and train students.
Job Titles
- Brew master
- Clinical lab tech
- Clinical microbiologist
- Clinical trials asst. or mgr.
- Food microbiologist
- Histotechnologist
- Lab Coordinator
- Lab research analyst
- Lab tech Immunologist
- Infection Control Medical research scientist
- Medical technologist
Med. Tech. sales rep Microbiologist Mycologist Pathologist Phlebotomist Physician Asst. Practitioner Professor Research assistant Research tech Technician Virologist
