BS Microbiology at The Ohio State University

Microbiologists study all aspects of the biology and activities of organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and algae. Microorganisms are often mistakenly feared because some do cause disease, but just as many are beneficial and even essential for the existence of all other forms of life, including ours. Microorganisms clean the environment and, in fermentations, they are used to produce foods, drinks, antibiotics and industrial chemicals.

Faculty: Arts and Sciences  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Required supportive courses include one year of general biology, Calculus I and a math elective, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry lecture, one semester of organic chemistry lab and one year of general physics. Some of the necessary supportive courses must be taken before starting the major (biology, general chemistry, also recommended for calculus), and others may be completed while also taking microbiology courses (organic chemistry and physics).

Career pathways

The microbiology major prepares students directly for employment. The diversity of required courses provides a breadth of learning and technical experiences. With this education, especially the technical training learned in the laboratories, students can readily find employment in research, quality control or hospital laboratories and work with advanced techniques and instruments.

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