Microbiology, BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Pittsburgh

Program Overview

The Microbiology, BS at the University of Pittsburgh gives students a strong understanding of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, while exploring how they affect people, animals, the environment, and industry. It is a great fit for students interested in laboratory science, infectious diseases, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, public health, or further study in microbiology and related life-science fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: Students start by building a solid foundation in the life and chemical sciences through BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1, BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology 2, and CHEM 0110/CHEM 0120 General Chemistry with laboratory work. These courses introduce essential biological and chemical principles while helping students become comfortable with scientific and laboratory-based learning.

Year Two: Students begin developing more specialized knowledge through courses such as BIOSC 0350 Genetics, CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1, and MATH 0220 Calculus. This stage strengthens their understanding of genetics, chemical processes, and quantitative concepts that are important for studying microorganisms and their biological systems.

Year Three: The program moves deeper into microbiology with courses including BIOSC 1850 Microbiology, BIOSC 1280 Microbial Genetics, and BIOSC 1000 Biochemistry. Students explore microbial diversity, growth, metabolism, genetics, and physiology while developing a clearer understanding of how microorganisms interact with humans and their environment.

Year Four: In the final year, students develop advanced knowledge through BIOSC 1865 Microbial Physiology, BIOSC 1860 Microbiology Laboratory, and BIOSC 1570 Microbiology Seminar. They also strengthen their scientific communication and writing abilities through BIOSC 1571 Microbiology Writing Practicum, while using electives to explore areas of microbiology that match their interests and career goals.

Focus Areas

Microbiology, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Physiology, Microbial Diversity, Microbiology Laboratory Techniques, Genetics, Biochemistry, Genomics, Virology, Cell Biology, Infectious Disease, Biotechnology, Environmental Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Public Health

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a strong understanding of microorganisms, including their growth, metabolism, genetics, physiology, and interactions with humans and the environment; gain practical laboratory skills for working with and analyzing microorganisms; apply microbiological and genetic concepts to areas such as biotechnology, infectious disease, environmental science, and food safety; strengthen scientific reasoning, research, quantitative analysis, and communication skills; and build a strong academic foundation for careers or further study in microbiology, healthcare, and related life-science fields.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Microbiology, BS provides focused preparation in modern microbiology, including areas such as microbial genetics, physiology, laboratory science, and biotechnology. The program can also provide a strong academic foundation for students planning to pursue medical, dental, other health-professional, or graduate programs. The University of Pittsburgh identifies certain other Biological Sciences programs as ASBMB-accredited, but the Microbiology, BS is not identified as having a separate professional accreditation.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Pittsburgh's Biological Sciences department provides students with opportunities to participate in research, internships, teaching, and student organizations, helping them gain experience beyond the classroom. The program can prepare graduates for opportunities across laboratory research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, public health, and other areas where microbiological knowledge is valuable.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Microbiology, BS at the University of Pittsburgh gives students plenty of opportunities to turn classroom knowledge into practical laboratory and research experience. Students can get involved in research early in their studies, work alongside faculty in active research laboratories, and use specialized equipment and facilities designed for modern biological research. The program also provides opportunities for internships, independent research, scientific presentations, and undergraduate teaching, helping students build skills that are valuable for laboratory, healthcare, biotechnology, and research careers.

Students can gain hands-on experience through a range of opportunities:

Authentic research laboratories: Introductory biology laboratory courses can involve authentic research experiences, allowing students to investigate research questions connected to faculty projects rather than simply following traditional laboratory exercises.
Microbiology research: Students can join faculty-led research laboratories and contribute to original projects in microbiology and related areas. Research opportunities are also available through laboratories across the University of Pittsburgh, including those associated with the School of Medicine and School of Dentistry.
SEA-PHAGES research: Students can participate in the two-semester BIOSC 0058 and BIOSC 0068 sequence, gaining experience with research projects and developing their own research questions. Students also create a poster to communicate their findings.
Research for academic credit: Through BIOSC 1901, BIOSC 1903, and BIOSC 1904, students can undertake biology-related laboratory research and continue a research project across multiple semesters. Depending on the project, students can attend laboratory meetings, present their findings at conferences, prepare research posters, and potentially contribute to publications.
Microbiology-focused research: Undergraduate research opportunities include projects involving microbiology, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, immunology, and biomedical research, giving students the chance to explore areas that connect directly with their career interests.
Internships: The department provides internship opportunities related to Biological Sciences. Previous internship placements have included UPMC, the Allegheny County Coroner's Office, Pittsburgh Zoo, Carnegie Museum, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Pitt's Pathology Department.
Specialized laboratory equipment: Department facilities include real-time PCR machines, high-throughput DNA sequencing machines, dedicated microscopy facilities, virus and tissue culture facilities, and PhosphorImage workstations, giving students exposure to equipment used in modern biological research.
Teaching and research laboratories: The Department of Biological Sciences operates teaching and research laboratories across the Clapp, Langley, Crawford, and Life Sciences Annex complex, supporting practical learning and faculty-led research.
Scientific presentations: Students involved in research can present their work at events such as the Department's Undergraduate Research Fair and Pitt's Science Symposium, helping them develop scientific communication and presentation skills.
Faculty mentorship: Students can work directly with faculty researchers, gaining guidance on research methods, laboratory work, academic development, and potential career or graduate-study pathways.
Science and Engineering Library: The George M. Bevier Science & Engineering Library supports students with resources for their coursework, research projects, and scientific study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Microbiology, BS at the University of Pittsburgh gives graduates a strong foundation for careers across healthcare, research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science, food science, and public health. It also provides a solid academic base for students who want to continue into graduate, medical, dental, or other health-professional education.

Typical career roles: Microbiologist, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Quality Assurance Specialist

Students can strengthen their career prospects through the University's academic, research, and career-support opportunities:

Career and academic advising: Biological Sciences Advisors help students make informed decisions about their courses, career options, extracurricular activities, and plans for graduate or professional study.
Career and internship support: Students can use Pitt's career resources and Future Links to explore internships and employment opportunities. The department also encourages students to begin searching for internships at least one semester in advance.
Industry and professional experience: Previous Biological Sciences students have completed internships with organizations such as UPMC, the Allegheny County Coroner's Office, Pittsburgh Zoo, Carnegie Museum, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Pitt's Pathology Department, giving students opportunities to experience different professional environments.
Research opportunities: Students can work alongside faculty and researchers in active laboratories, gaining hands-on research experience that can strengthen applications for graduate school, medical school, and other professional programs.
Employment opportunities: Pitt identifies career possibilities for microbiology graduates across medical, veterinary, environmental, food, pharmaceutical, public-health, academic, and research settings. A bachelor's degree can support entry-level opportunities, while some advanced positions may require postgraduate qualifications.
Employment and salary statistics: The University does not publish a specific employment rate or average salary for graduates of the Microbiology, BS. Therefore, a program-specific employment percentage or salary figure should not be assumed.
Professional preparation: The program provides the scientific background needed for students interested in medical, dental, other health-professional, and graduate programs, making it useful for both immediate employment and longer-term academic goals.
Accreditation value: The Microbiology, BS is not identified by Pitt as a separately professionally accredited program. Its value comes from focused training in modern microbiology, including areas such as genomics and genetic engineering, combined with laboratory and research experience.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter microbiology-related roles or continue into advanced education. The degree can lead toward opportunities in research, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, food science, public health, education, and other life-science fields.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Microbiology, BS, students can continue into graduate programs in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and related biological sciences. The degree can also support progression to medical school, dental school, and other health-professional programs, particularly when combined with relevant research, laboratory, and internship experience.