Microbiology (BS)

NC State’s Microbiology BS gives students opportunities to gain practical laboratory and research experience alongside their classroom studies. Students work with real microbiological techniques, investigate research questions, analyse experimental results, and develop scientific communication skills through inquiry-based laboratory courses and research experiences.

The program also allows students to explore areas such as medical microbiology, microbial diversity, biotechnology, genomics, and biomanufacturing through specialised courses and research opportunities:

• Inquiry-guided microbiology: MB 254 Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab gives students practical experience with microbiological techniques while working on an extended research project, analysing results, and presenting their findings.

• Faculty-led research: MB 360 Scientific Inquiry in Microbiology: At the Bench allows students to design and conduct experiments, maintain laboratory notebooks, analyse complex data, and communicate their research findings. Projects have included antibiotic discovery from soil microbes, microbial pathogens in food, commercial probiotics, and sequencing Delftia isolates.

• Medical microbiology laboratory: MB 312 Medical Microbiology Laboratory provides hands-on experience with culturing and identifying microorganisms while introducing students to laboratory approaches used to investigate infections and disease-related questions.

• Microbial diversity: MB 452 Microbial Diversity Lab gives students practical experience while exploring the diversity and characteristics of microorganisms.

• Phage research and genomics: Through MB/BIT 210 Phage Hunters and MB/BIT 211 Phage Genomics, students can isolate bacteriophages, study their characteristics, analyse and annotate genome sequences, and contribute their findings to a wider research initiative.

• Molecular biotechnology techniques: Students can choose practical courses such as BIT 467 PCR and DNA Fingerprinting, BIT 465 Real-time PCR Techniques, BIT 466 Animal Cell Culture Techniques, BIT 476 Applied Bioinformatics, BIT 477 Metagenomics, and BIT 479 High-Throughput Discovery.

• Biomanufacturing experience: Students interested in industrial microbiology and biotechnology can explore courses involving fermentation, recombinant microorganisms, upstream biomanufacturing, and related production processes.

• External learning: BIT 492 External Learning Experience provides an opportunity to receive academic credit for approved practical learning outside the standard classroom environment.

• Professional experience: Students can use courses such as BSC 492 Professional Experience and BSC 493 Research Experience to gain structured experience related to their career or research interests.

• Course-based undergraduate research: NC State incorporates authentic research into several microbiology courses, allowing students to work on projects that go beyond routine laboratory exercises and develop skills in experimental design, critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication.

• Research facilities: Students can take advantage of NC State’s broader Biological Sciences research environment, which includes laboratories and facilities supporting microbiology, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and related research areas.

NC State’s Microbiology BS prepares students for a wide range of careers in research, biotechnology, healthcare, government, private industry, and laboratory settings. It also gives students a strong foundation for further study in microbiology, biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, public health, and other related fields.

Typical career roles include Microbiologist, Biochemist, Medical Technologist, and Geneticist. Students can also explore opportunities in pharmaceutical research, food microbiology, environmental science, forensic science, regulatory work, and scientific sales:

• Career planning and advising: NC State provides career assessment and counselling resources that help students understand their interests, strengths, and career goals and connect them with suitable academic and professional pathways.

• Research and work experience: The Department of Biological Sciences provides opportunities for students to gain research and work experience with private and government laboratories, helping them develop skills relevant to research, production, regulatory affairs, and scientific sales.

• Undergraduate research and honours: Students who qualify can join the Discipline-based Undergraduate Honors Program in Biological Sciences. The program includes advanced biology courses, research or teaching experience, an honors thesis, and opportunities to present scholarly work at local, regional, or national meetings.

• Salary information: NC State reports a national average salary of $47,320 for bachelor’s-level Microbiology graduates, based on the NACE Summer 2024 salary survey. This is a national average and is not a guaranteed starting salary for NC State graduates.

• Industry relevance: The program prepares students for areas such as biotechnology, biomanufacturing, food and medical microbiology, research, production, regulatory affairs, and scientific sales, giving graduates several directions to explore after completing their degree.

• Specialised pathways: Students can choose from three concentration areas: Microbial Biotechnology, which is suited to biotechnology and biomanufacturing interests; Microbial Research, which is a good fit for students planning research-focused postgraduate study; and Microbial Health Sciences, which supports students interested in health-related graduate and professional programs.

• Professional value: Although the Microbiology BS does not have a separate professional accreditation listed, its specialised curriculum, laboratory training, research opportunities, and exposure to private and government laboratories provide valuable preparation for scientific and technical careers.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can move directly into positions in government agencies, private companies, research laboratories, biotechnology, healthcare, and related industries. Others can continue into advanced study in areas such as microbiology, genetics, biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, and public health.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Microbiology BS, students can pursue master’s or doctoral degrees in areas such as microbiology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, zoology, neurobiology, and biomedical sciences. Students interested in healthcare can also use their undergraduate preparation as a foundation for professional programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, and public health, while NC State also offers graduate study opportunities in microbiology at the master’s and doctoral levels.