 |
   |
           |
|
 | |
|
Majors Courses Research Advising Organizations Awards |
Microbiologists pursue careers in many fields, including agricultural, environmental, food, and industrial microbiology; public health; resource management; basic research; education; and pharmaceuticals. Jobs in all of these fields are available at the BS level as well as the MS and PhD levels (see our guide for applying to graduate schools). 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. Requirements for the Microbiology Major All students within the School of Arts and Sciences must complete Arts and Sciences Requirements, which include the Foundation Skills and and Disciplinary Approaches Requirements. These courses provide breadth to your education beyond training in the Biological Sciences. All majors within the Department of Biological Sciences must also complete Corequisite Courses in Chemistry, Math, and Physics; these courses give you the scientific background to maximize your education within the Microbiology major. Microbiology majors must also complete the following BIOSC courses within the Department; consult our scheduling tips, sample schedule and most importantly our Bioscience Advisors when planning your schedule.
* Or Honors course BIOSC 0715 Microbiology Elective courses and lab must be selected from the following:
** Offered at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology |
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. |