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Infinite Possibilities

Unit Image
Student lab worker removing cultures from liquid nitrogen
Photo Credit:
Dan Koek
Description
The B.S. is designed to give students a background in microbiology, 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. Microbiology prepares 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. 
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Undergraduate Program Outcomes

These are the skills our graduates leave with:
  • 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.
  • Participates effectively as a team member in collaborative work.
  • Exhibit professional skills in personal effectiveness to be able to enter the job market.
  • Describe their role and begin participating in being civic responsible, contributing citizens, and creating inclusive environments. 

The Curriculum  

During the first year, students in microbiology take basic college courses in English chemistry, biology, and mathematics. The curriculum over the next three years features advanced courses in microbiology and the life sciences. These courses include pathogenic microbiology, virology, immunology, parasitology, microbial genetics, microbial genomics, food microbiology, microbial ecology, and microbial physiology. 

 

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 

Microbiology 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 is the perfect major to get you started on your journey. Microbiology is a great major for students interested in Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Dentistry, optometry, physician assistant and many other health professions. Microbiology alumni chose Microbiology 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 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 Microbiology 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 had to say
click here!
Bachelors Degree Combined with Graduate School (Accelerated Masters Program) 

The microbiology major emphasizes 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 course work in microbiology or public health during their 4th 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 masters or go on to professional schools or PhD programs.  

View these programs here: