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Infinite Possibilities

Description

Our BS degrees are designed to give students a background in microbiology or biotechnology, with a wide range of specialized interest areas that show how microbes affect human and animal health, agriculture, our environment, food technology and safety, and the biotechnology industry. Our programs prepare students for a wide range of important career opportunities, as well as the option to pursue further education in specialized subject areas. Our Pre-Professional program is excellent preparation for professional school including medical, veterinary, dental, optometry, and physician assistant programs.

Upon completing our BS programs, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a familiarity with professional and ethical behavior.
Identify and explain discipline specific knowledge and concepts.
Describe the process of scholarly inquiry
Perform classical and modern techniques with consistency.
Communicate scientific results and scientific understanding to a chosen audience.
Participate effectively as a team member in collaborative work.
Exhibit professional skills in personal effectiveness to be able to enter the job market.
Describe your role in society and actively contribute as a responsible, inclusive citizen.

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The Curriculum

During the first year, students in microbiology or biotechnology take basic college courses in English chemistry, biology, and mathematics. The curriculum over the next three years features advanced courses in microbiology/biotechnology and the life sciences.

Microbiology	Biotechnology
Microbiology Fact Sheet	Biotechnology Fact Sheet
Major Requirements and Course Descriptions	Major Requirements and Course Descriptions
Minor Requirements and Course Descriptions	Minor Requirements and Course Descriptions
One Stop Homepage
Make the most of your undergraduate
Pathways to Success (sample B.S. course plans)

Our Faculty and Facilities

Our faculty have expertise and experience in several areas of microbiology. In addition to teaching, they are active researchers and devoted research mentors. Our undergraduates frequently have opportunities to perform cutting-edge research in nationally funded laboratories.

The Department of Microbiological Sciences, located in Van Es Hall, has well-equipped teaching and research laboratories. Several courses are taught in the dedicated STEM education building, A. Glenn Hill Center.

Opportunities for Graduates

Potential Careers

Graduates may seek employment in:

the health sciences	agricultural biosystems
public health	food industries
biomedical industries	pharmaceutical industries
biotechnology	government agencies

Professional School

Human and Animal medicine have many exciting and rewarding career paths, and NDSU Microbiology and Biotechnology is the perfect major to get you started on your journey. Our programs are a great major for students interested in Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Dentistry, optometry, physician assistant and many other health professions. Our alumni chose our degrees as their Pre-Professional major because the curriculum provides ideal preparation for entrance exams like the MCAT or GRE, professional school, and a career in medicine.

If you choose microbiology or biotechnology as your Pre-Professional major, you can expect:

A clear 4-year graduation plan that will prepare you for pre-professional entrance exams and professional School.
A program advisor who will understand your needs as a pre-professional major.
A pre-professional advisor who will work alongside your program advisor to guide your preparation for Professional School.
Opportunities to work with professors on cutting-edge biomedical research projects.
A close-knit community where your professors will become lifelong mentors.

See what our Pre-Professional Graduates have to say

Bachelors Degree Combined with Graduate School (Accelerated Masters Program)

Our degree programs emphasize experiential learning in coursework and research laboratories that provide the foundation to be successful in graduate school.

Some of our students elect to apply to our Accelerated Masters Program, where they start their graduate coursework in microbiology or public health during their fourth year at NDSU.

Our Accelerated Masters Program allows students to complete a Bachelors and Masters in 5 years. These students can then be competitive for careers in science that require a master's or go on to professional schools or Ph.D. programs.

View an example plan of study for these programs!