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Welcome to Microbiology!

The Microbiology Department at Oregon State University is over 100 years old.  The field of Microbiology is relevant to every day life.  Majoring in microbiology can position you for a fulfilling career and prepare you for graduate or professional studies such as medical, dental or pharmacy school.

What does microbiology have to offer an undergraduate student at Oregon State University?

  • OSU Microbiology is the only Microbiology Department in Oregon with both undergraduate and graduate students.
  • 80% of undergraduate majors in Microbiology participate in research activities alongside professors, postdoctorals and graduate students.
  • The Microbiology Department conducts research and teaches courses in bacteriology, virology and parasitology, covering a broad spectrum from the molecular to the applied, from the laboratory to the field.
  • A B.S. in Microbiology fulfills all requirements for pre-medicine.  Graduates are well poised for application to professional programs (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary, clinical lab science) and graduate school.
  • Career opportunities in many areas upon graduation, ranging from biotechnology to food microbiology, Applicable career specialties include work with infectious agents, environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and molecular forensics.
  • Some 95% of microbiology undergraduate and graduate students are employed in their field or enrolled in further studies within 3 months of graduation.
  • Opportunities for obtaining teaching experience as a teacher assistant in a laboratory course.
  • Active student club, the Microbiology Student Association (MSA).
  • Student Computer Lab accessible to Microbiology students.
  • Automatic minor in chemistry.
  • Great scholarship opportunities.

Microbiology Career Opportunities

Our graduates have obtained jobs in biotechnology companies, food and brewing industries, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, research programs in academia, public health, water testing, research and development, forensics and more.  Our graduates meet all requirements for medical and dental school.  Some additional courses are required for pharmacy, physician assistant programs, nursing and veterinary science. 

Many of our majors go on to programs in the health professions.  There are many good resources available for getting information in your field of interest.