Microbiology
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
What is Microbiology?
Microbiologists are concerned with forms of life that are very small, those that are microscopic or sub-microscopic in size. They study bacteria, archaea yeasts, molds, viruses, and protozoa, looking at how they may be identified, how they cause disease, and how they are beneficial to the ecosystem.
Microorganisms can be used to clean up an environmentally devastating oil spill, to apply biotechnology to produce human insulin in bacterial cells, to manipulate bacterial genes for improving agricultural crops and livestock, to stimulate the immune rejection of tumor cells, and to replace hazardous chemical pesticides.
A major in microbiology prepares students for a career in almost any field in medicine and biology.
What are the features of Miami's program?
Interdisciplinary approach: This Bachelor of Arts degree allows students to study a broad range of disciplines as well as focusing on their major in microbiology. This interdisciplinary approach provides the opportunity to acquire additional skills in communication and exposure to other disciplines helpful to a career in science.
Undergraduate participation in research: All faculty members are working on research projects and regularly publish articles in scientific journals. Undergraduate students are encouraged to get laboratory experience working with faculty and graduate students on research projects.
A unique offering: Miami is one of only two state-assisted institutions in Ohio offering an undergraduate degree in microbiology.
Top-notch facilities: The microbiology department, located in Pearson Hall, has laboratories that are fully computer-integrated and networked into the Web. Educational and technical software for research purposes is also easily accessible for Macintosh and Windows-based computers. In addition, the department has access to the Electron Microscopy Center facilities shared with the botany and zoology departments. The facilities contain four transmission electron microscopes, two scanning electron microscopes, and an X-ray analysis unit. State-of-the-art equipment and software are available in the Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics.
Related degree program: Miami also offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in clinical laboratory science, directed through the microbiology department. The program is for students who plan to be certified as clinical laboratory scientists or as medical technologists.
Are there special admission requirements?
There are no additional admission requirements for this program.
What courses would I take?
The program in microbiology includes courses in general microbiology, pathogenic (disease-related) microbiology, immunology (dealing with immunity to disease), microbial ecology (environmentally related microbiology), virology, genetics (including recombinant DNA technology), microbial physiology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Laboratories are an essential part of the science courses.
What can I do with this major?
Microbiologists work in every sector of the economy: universities, hospitals, government agencies, industry, the Peace Corps, and NASA. Our recent graduates report job titles of staff microbiologist, lab technician, research assistant, and technical sales representative.
Many of Miami's microbiology graduates go on to graduate or professional school each year. Microbiology, immunology, ecology, molecular biology, medical microbiology, and medical, dental, and veterinary school are the usual choices. The microbiology major at Miami meets most schools' requirements, but advisers are available to assist you in meeting the criteria needed to apply. Other students go to business school, law school, or into education.
Who can I contact for more information?
For general information about Miami University, please contact:
Office of Admission
301 S. Campus Ave.
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056-3434
513-529-2531 (v/t)
www.muohio.edu/requestinfo
For specific information on the Microbiology major, please contact:
Department of Microbiology
32 Pearson Hall
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-5422
microbiology@muohio.edu
www.cas.muohio.edu/micro
