BS in Environmental Biology - Microbiology

Students in the BS in Environmental Biology/Microbiology gain practical experience by combining environmental science with hands-on microbiological training, including laboratory techniques, environmental monitoring, microbiological assays, molecular biology methods, and scientific data analysis. The program also gives students the opportunity to participate in an ongoing research project that can contribute to graduation requirements, while advanced laboratory coursework develops experience in microbiological techniques, quantitative data collection, critical assessment of results, and scientific communication.

• Hands-on laboratory training: MGI 408 Advanced Microbiology Laboratory provides six laboratory hours per week and focuses on microbiological techniques and procedures for studying the physiology and genetics of bacteria and bacteriophages. Students collect and critically assess quantitative data and communicate their findings in writing.
• Research experience: Ongoing research projects are available within the Environmental Biology/Microbiology degree, giving students the opportunity to participate in research that contributes to their graduation requirements.
• Laboratory and technical skills: Students develop microbiological assay, molecular biology, environmental monitoring, research, and data-analysis skills, providing practical preparation for environmental protection, remediation, water-quality, biotechnology, and related fields.
• Molecular research techniques: MSU research opportunities can involve aseptic technique, molecular cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, pathogenicity assays, and protein biochemistry; current undergraduate research opportunities also include field sampling at MSU cherry orchards for bacterial plant pathogens.
• Research environment: The Microbiology, Genetics & Immunology Department has more than 60 faculty members and conducts research in areas including microbial ecology, microbial pathogenesis, genetics, virology, genomics, immunology, and cancer, giving students access to a broad research environment.
• Environmental focus: Students can tailor their learning toward areas such as soil science, geomicrobiology, and food microbiology, connecting microbiology with environmental systems and real-world environmental challenges.

The BS in Environmental Biology–Microbiology at Michigan State University prepares students for careers focused on environmental protection, remediation, water quality, biotechnology, agriculture, laboratory research, and public health. The program combines microbiology with environmental science and provides opportunities for independent research, giving graduates practical preparation for scientific careers or advanced study.

Typical job roles: Biological Technician, Microbiologist, Environmental Restoration Planner, Quality-Control Analyst.

Career support and employment preparation:

• Career advising: MSU’s College of Natural Science provides one-on-one career advising covering resumes, cover letters, job and internship searches, interviews, networking, and graduate/professional school preparation.
• Career resources: Students can use Interactive Career Labs, career programming, a Natural Science-specific Career Resource Library, virtual internship programs, and MSU’s Handshake career platform.
• Experiential preparation: The program encourages students to complete two or ideally three or more semesters of tutored independent research, which can culminate in a formal research presentation and satisfy the major’s capstone requirement.
• Employment settings: Graduates have entered clinical reference laboratories, government agencies, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, vaccine companies, and medical schools.
• Employment statistics and salary: MSU does not state a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for Environmental Biology/Microbiology on its official program and career pages, so no specific figure is provided here.
• University–industry connections: MSU’s AgBioResearch, College of Natural Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Broad College of Business have established a partnership focused on translating scientific research into solutions for business, government, and other stakeholders.
• Industry exposure: MSU’s AgBioResearch also works with agriculture and natural-resource industries and agencies, connecting university research with practical environmental and agricultural challenges.
• Professional recognition: Graduates may apply for certification with the National Registry of Microbiologists of the American Society for Microbiology, providing a potential professional credential after completing the degree.
• Long-term accreditation: Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, supporting the long-term academic recognition of the university’s degrees.
• Graduation outcomes: Graduates develop research and data-analysis, critical-thinking, microbiological laboratory, molecular biology, and environmental-monitoring skills, supporting pathways into biotechnology, environmental consulting, public health, research, quality control, and related fields.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into master’s or PhD-level study in environmental science, microbiology, or related biological sciences, particularly for advanced research careers. MSU’s Microbiology, Genetics & Immunology department offers graduate-level study with intensive training in modern biology and research specialties, while the university also provides a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree option through the College of Natural Science.