Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Microbiology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Washington

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Washington provides rigorous training in the microbial world, with students studying bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, microbial genetics, physiology, infectious disease, diversity, and structure. It suits students interested in understanding microorganisms and their impact on human health, medicine, agriculture, industry, and the environment, while developing laboratory and scientific-thinking skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students typically build their scientific foundation through introductory biology and chemistry, including BIOL 180 – Intro Biology I, BIOL 200 – Intro Biology II, and BIOL 220 – Intro Biology III. These courses establish the biology and chemistry background required for progression into upper-division microbiology, alongside the University's broader general-education requirements.

Year 2: Students continue developing their laboratory and molecular-science foundation through chemistry and related quantitative coursework, preparing for the major's advanced microbiology curriculum. Prerequisites include CHEM 223 – Organic Chemistry Short Program or CHEM 237 – Organic Chemistry, while mathematics and statistics options include MATH 124 – Calculus, STAT 220 – Statistical Methods, or BIOST 310 – Statistical Methods in Biomedical Research.

Year 3: Students move into core microbiology with MICROM 410 – Fundamentals of Microbiology and MICROM 402 – Fundamentals of General Microbiology Laboratory, studying microbial metabolism, biosynthesis, regulation, growth, structure, function, and laboratory identification techniques. Students can then explore areas such as MICROM 442 – Medical Bacteriology, MICROM 445 – Medical Virology, or MICROM 412 – Prokaryotic Diversity.

Year 4: Advanced study allows students to develop deeper expertise in genetics, molecular biology, virology, medical microbiology, and microbial diversity, including courses such as MICROM 411 – Bacterial Genetics, MICROM 431 – Prokaryotic Recombinant DNA Techniques Lab, and MICROM 450 – Molecular Biology of Viruses. The curriculum also includes research-oriented work, with approved electives and laboratory courses allowing students to tailor their studies toward particular interests.

Focus Areas: Medical Microbiology, Virology, Diversity and Ecology, Genetics and Molecular Biology.

Learning Outcomes: Microbial structure and function, microbial genetics, metabolism, physiology, infectious disease, laboratory techniques, molecular biology, scientific reasoning, and research skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The official UW Microbiology pages identify the credential as a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Microbiology; no separate professional accreditation for the undergraduate Microbiology major is stated on the official program pages reviewed.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Washington reports that U.S. News & World Report ranked UW No. 7 worldwide in Microbiology in its 2026 subject rankings, based on research reputation and academic research performance indicators.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

For the B.S. in Microbiology at the University of Washington, students gain practical experience through hands-on laboratory courses, undergraduate research, and direct engagement with active microbiology research groups. The program includes laboratory-based study in areas such as bacterial genetics, recombinant DNA techniques, medical bacteriology, and medical mycology and parasitology, while students can also join faculty laboratories through MICROM 499 to learn current laboratory technologies and conduct research at both conceptual and technical levels.

Students can build further practical and research skills through these opportunities:

Teaching Laboratories: Microbiology courses are taught in state-of-the-art facilities in the Health Sciences Building, giving students access to dedicated teaching laboratory environments.
MICROM 402 – General Microbiology Lab: Provides hands-on laboratory training as part of the major's microbiology curriculum.
MICROM 411 – Bacterial Genetics: Includes a laboratory component focused on bacterial genetics.
MICROM 431 – Prokaryotic Recombinant DNA Techniques Lab: Gives students practical experience with recombinant DNA techniques used in microbiology research.
Medical Bacteriology Lab: MICROM 443 provides laboratory-based experience alongside the study of medical bacteriology.
Medical Mycology & Parasitology Laboratory: MICROM 461 provides hands-on practice identifying medically important fungi and parasites using live, preserved, and stained samples.
Undergraduate Laboratory Research: MICROM 499 allows students to work on specific microbiology or immunology research problems and learn current laboratory technology. Students normally commit at least 6–10 hours per week in the laboratory.
Faculty Research Laboratories: Students can pursue research with faculty working in areas including Salmonella–host interactions, molecular virology, vaccines, biofilms, microbial communities, malaria, bacterial adaptation, bacterial genetics, and microbial pathogenesis.
Research Facilities: Departmental research laboratories are located in the Health Sciences Building and UW Medicine South Lake Union, with additional faculty research laboratories at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and the Northwest Regional Primate Research Center.
Microbial Ecology Laboratory: UW's Microbial Ecology Lab provides equipment for microbiology and molecular analyses, including DNA, protein and genome analysis, quantitative PCR, confocal microscopy, chromatography, HPLC, anaerobic cultivation, and incubators.
Honors Research: Students pursuing Departmental Honors complete at least six credits of MICROM 495 undergraduate research and produce a research thesis based on their laboratory project.
Microbiology Field Trips: The Microphiles Club sponsors field trips to local biotechnology companies, giving students exposure to industry environments and career opportunities.
Summer Research: UW Microbiology's BioSTEP program provides hands-on biomedical laboratory research, science-communication training, research-ethics workshops, mentoring, and a final presentation at the UW Undergraduate Symposium; the department states that BioSTEP was cancelled for 2026 and future dates depend on funding.
Research Opportunity Database: The UW Office of Undergraduate Research maintains a database of actively recruiting research opportunities on campus and in the Seattle area for UW undergraduates.
MicroMentors: This two-year departmental mentorship initiative connects undergraduate Microbiology students with graduate-student mentors for guidance on research opportunities, academics, and professional development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Washington’s B.S. in Microbiology prepares students for careers involving microorganisms, infectious disease, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food production, environmental applications, and laboratory research. The department states that graduates can qualify for positions with a bachelor’s degree or continue into graduate and professional education.

Typical Job Roles: Microbiologist, Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biotechnology Research Associate.

Career Support & Employment Connections:

Career Services: UW Career & Internship Center resources support students with career coaching, internship searches, employer connections, and preparation for employment; UW reports that 92% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months.
Microbiology Career Development: The department sponsors annual career fairs bringing representatives from local biotechnology companies and other industries to help students explore job opportunities and build professional relationships.
Research Experience: Students can undertake undergraduate laboratory research through MICROM 499 for academic credit, giving them practical experience relevant to research and laboratory careers.
Industry Exposure: The Microphiles Club organizes field trips to local biotechnology companies and speakers focused on research, careers, and graduate education.

Employment & Salary Figures:

UW Graduate Outcome: 92% of recent UW graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Microbiologist Salary: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $87,990 for microbiologists in May 2025; the lowest 10% earned less than $54,670 and the highest 10% earned more than $150,000.
Industry Salary: The May 2025 BLS data reports median annual wages of $105,110 in research and development, $105,880 in government, and $83,770 in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing for microbiologists.
Employment Outlook: BLS projects 6% employment growth for microbiologists from 2025–2035, with about 1,500 openings per year on average.

University–Industry Partnerships: UW Microbiology maintains connections with organizations involved in microbiological and biomedical research, including the Institute for Systems Biology, Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and other research partners. UW also facilitates industry-sponsored research and affiliate programs that connect companies with UW researchers and students.

Specialized Research Network: The department’s faculty conduct research at the Health Sciences Building, South Lake Union Campus, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and Northwest Regional Primate Research Center, giving students access to a broader biomedical research environment.

Accreditation Value: The official UW Microbiology materials do not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the B.S. in Microbiology. The degree is awarded by the University of Washington and provides preparation for employment, graduate programs, and professional schools.

Graduation Outcomes: The department reports that the major is designed to prepare students for a wide range of positions with a terminal B.S. degree as well as advanced graduate or professional study. Graduates have entered research positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and state and government roles hiring microbiologists.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Microbiology, students can pursue master’s or doctoral programs in microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and related life-science fields. The degree also provides a foundation for professional education in medicine, dentistry, public health, community medicine, and veterinary medicine, depending on the admission requirements of the chosen program.