BS Microbiology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Oregon State University

Program Overview

Oregon State University’s BS in Microbiology provides broad scientific training in microorganisms, with opportunities to specialize in health, environmental, computational, or biotechnological microbiology and gain practical experience through laboratory and field research. It suits students interested in careers in biomedical, biotechnology, food and beverage industries, research, or professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation in chemistry, mathematics and scientific communication through courses such as CH 221Z General Chemistry I, CH 222Z General Chemistry II, and CH 223Z General Chemistry III, each paired with laboratory work. MTH 251Z Differential Calculus or MTH 227 Calculus and Probability for the Life Sciences I develops the quantitative skills needed for later biological and microbiological study, while MB 290 Career Preparation: BioHealth Sciences and Microbiology introduces career planning.

Year 2: Students move deeper into the life sciences with BI 221Z Principles of Biology: Cells, BI 222Z Principles of Biology: Organisms, and BI 223Z Principles of Biology: Ecology and Evolution, alongside organic chemistry and statistics. The year concludes with MB 302 General Microbiology and MB 303 General Microbiology Laboratory, introducing core microbiological concepts and practical laboratory skills.

Year 3: The curriculum develops students’ understanding of molecular and biochemical processes through BB 450/451 General Biochemistry and BB 314 Cell and Molecular Biology, supported by PH 201–203 General Physics. Students also begin selecting upper-division microbiology electives, allowing them to explore areas such as immunology, aquatic microbiology, virology, food microbiology or microbial genome evolution.

Year 4: Students progress into advanced microbiology through MB 310 Bacterial Molecular Genetics, MB 411 Molecular Microbiology Techniques Laboratory, and MB 312 Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism. They can also study BHS 323 Microbial Influences on Human Health or MB 385 Emerging Infectious Diseases and Epidemics, while completing advanced electives and practical options such as research, thesis work, reading and conference, or an occupational internship.

Focus areas: Health microbiology, environmental microbiology, computational microbiology, biotechnological microbiology, bacteriology, virology, immunology, microbial genetics, microbial physiology, food microbiology and human microbiome science.

Learning outcomes: Graduates will be able to apply specialized microbiology knowledge to microbiological, environmental and health-related problems; demonstrate routine and specialized laboratory skills for research or clinical methods; communicate scientific concepts and experimental results clearly; and apply professional skills to microbiology and related scientific careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official OSU program page does not state a separate professional accreditation for the BS in Microbiology; the degree is administered by the Department of Microbiology within the School of Life Sciences and College of Science.

Reputation (employability rankings): Oregon State University states that its undergraduate Microbiology major is the only B.S. degree in microbiology offered in the state of Oregon and identifies career preparation for national laboratories, environmental and natural-resource agencies, research institutes, food and pharmaceutical industries, and nonprofit organizations. The university also highlights opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, international study and field studies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Oregon State University’s Microbiology BS is designed around hands-on laboratory, field and research experiences, allowing students to apply microbiological concepts beyond the classroom. Students complete upper-division microbiology laboratory courses and can work with faculty in research laboratories, while opportunities also extend into environmental science, human and animal health, ocean ecosystems and medicine. The program also allows students to gain professional experience through occupational internships, research, teaching and international opportunities.

Students can build practical skills through these program-specific opportunities:

Advanced microbiology laboratories: The major requires upper-level laboratory experience, with options including MB 417 Immunology Laboratory, MB 422 Aquatic Microbiology Laboratory, MB 435 Pathogenic Microbes Laboratory, and MB 441 Food Microbiology Laboratory, giving students practical experience across different areas of microbiology.
Undergraduate research: Students can enroll in MB 401 Research and work with scientific mentors, developing laboratory skills, scientific-literature evaluation, critical thinking, independence and research-presentation skills.
Research laboratories and facilities: Department research spans applied microbiology, aquatic microbiology and ecology, cellular metabolism and interaction, microbes/microbiomes and health, microbial informatics and data science, and microbial threats to food security. OSU states that its research facilities and equipment are made available to faculty, students and industry partners.
Occupational internships: MB 410 Occupational Internship provides supervised work experience at approved institutions, agencies, laboratories, clinics or companies. Examples specifically identified by the department include clinical microbiology laboratories, brewery or winery fermentation divisions, and microbiology laboratories at the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Field research: Students can participate in field studies covering environmental sciences, human and animal health, ocean ecosystems and medicine, providing opportunities to apply microbiology in real-world environments.
Microbiology capstone teamwork: MB 490 Microbiology Capstone Experience requires students to work in teams to analyze research data and communicate their analysis, while also developing professional skills and exploring career opportunities.
Special projects and thesis: Students can undertake MB 406 Special Projects, MB 403 Thesis, or MB 405 Reading and Conference, allowing them to pursue more individualized academic or research work.
Field trips and scientific engagement: The Microbiology Students Association organizes microbiology-related field trips and outreach activities, while selected students can attend the American Society for Microbiology scientific conference.
Teaching experience: The Department of Microbiology provides opportunities for undergraduates to assist with microbiology laboratory courses, helping students develop communication, leadership, collaboration and teamwork skills.
International experience: OSU microbiology students can participate in international study programs and internships, with the department highlighting opportunities to gain research and professional experience internationally.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A B.S. in Microbiology from Oregon State University prepares graduates for careers spanning biomedical research, laboratory testing, biotechnology, food and pharmaceutical industries, environmental science, and public health. Oregon State reports that 95% of recent microbiology graduates are employed in a microbiology-related field or accepted into further education within three months of graduation, demonstrating the program’s strong connection to employment and continued study.

Career roles: Research Microbiologist, Laboratory Analytical Specialist, Quality Control Scientist, Food Safety Specialist.

Career services: Oregon State’s Career Development Center provides access to Handshake, which lists thousands of internship, research, and career opportunities, along with job-search strategies and employer-connection resources. Students can also access the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and the Arts (URSA) for faculty-mentored research opportunities.
Employment statistics: 95% of recent microbiology graduates were employed in a microbiology-related field or accepted into further education three months after graduation.
Salary figures: Oregon State reports a $87,990 national median annual wage for microbiologists in 2025; related occupations include $88,720 for food scientists and technologists, $82,220 for environmental scientists, and $57,510 for biological technicians. These are national occupational figures rather than salaries specifically reported by Oregon State alumni.
Industry connections: Oregon State microbiology graduates have worked for organizations including Genentech, Becton Dickinson, Mayo Clinic, Providence, Sarepta Therapeutics, Zoetis, Zimmer Biomet, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The department also highlights internship opportunities with organizations such as Corteva AgroSciences, where microbiology students can pursue laboratory-based or field-station research positions.
Research-to-career preparation: The program combines three upper-level microbiology laboratory courses with opportunities for research-laboratory and field-research experience, giving students practical skills applicable to microbiology-related employment.
Long-term academic value: Oregon State’s Microbiology B.S. is administered by the Department of Microbiology in the College of Science, and the university identifies the degree as the only B.S. degree in microbiology offered in Oregon. The department also supports established graduate programs in microbiology, providing a direct academic pathway for students seeking advanced scientific training.
Graduation outcomes: Alumni have progressed into roles such as Research Microbiologist at the FDA, Laboratory Analytical Specialist at the Portland Water Bureau, Infectious Disease Medical Specialist, Principal Scientist, and Senior Quality Control Scientist, while others have entered medical and graduate programs at institutions including Cornell, Ohio State, OHSU, NYU, and the Max Planck Institute.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into Oregon State’s M.S. in Microbiology, available through both thesis and non-thesis pathways, or pursue the university’s Ph.D. in Microbiology. Graduate study can support deeper specialization in areas such as environmental, genomics, immunology, and pathogenic microbiology, with research opportunities spanning molecular, genetic, biochemical, ecological, and organismal approaches.