Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of organisms that, in general, are too small to be seen by the unaided human eye. Such organisms include protozoa, algae, fungi, lichens, bacteria and viruses. Microbiology is one of the most important and exciting of the biological sciences. Not only is it a basic biological science, which has provided us with much of our understanding of the chemical and physical principles behind living processes, but it is also an applied biological science, dealing with aspects of medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, food technology and pollution control.

www.mmb.usyd.edu.au

How do you study microbiology?

You can major in microbiology in the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Science (Advanced), Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology & Genetics), Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biotechnology), Bachelor of Medical Science and in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

What will you study in microbiology?

FIRST YEAR
The study of microbiology does not begin until second year. Students intending to study microbiology should include biology, mathematics, chemistry and molecular biology and genetics among their first year subjects.

SECOND YEAR
Study in second year microbiology covers the history and development of microbiology, methodology, an introduction to the major groups of microorganisms, bacterial genetics, microbial growth and death, and environmental microbiology. It also includes food microbiology, the microbiology of health and disease, industrial microbiology and biotechnology.

THIRD YEAR
Third year units of study include Microbes in Infection and Virology in the first semester, and the Molecular Biology of Pathogens and Microbial Biotechnology in the second semester.

Honours
During the Honours year students undertake a project in one of the major research areas in the microbiology discipline.

Careers in microbiology

Employment opportunities for microbiologists are very diverse. Microbiology graduates are employed by teaching and research organisations, such as schools, universities, CSIRO, departments of agriculture and biotechnology companies and they participate in major programs of applied or basic research.

Many start their careers in the fields of medical and public health microbiology in hospitals, private pathology laboratories, and government health services. Others have found employment as technical representatives for laboratory supply houses, in the pharmaceutical industry, in sterility testing and quality control, and in the wine, brewing and dairy industries. In recent years employment opportunities in environmental microbiology have also been increasing.

Some recent microbiology graduates have been employed by organisations such as the London School of Tropical Medicine, CSIRO, the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, Sydney Water, Mauri Foods Research and Procter and Gamble. Many graduates choose to continue their studies and undertake postgraduate work towards a higher degree.