Microbiology BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Pennsylvania State University University Park

Program Overview

The Microbiology, B.S. at Pennsylvania State University–University Park provides a comprehensive study of life processes at the molecular and cellular level, with particular emphasis on bacteria and advanced laboratory methodology. It suits students interested in microbiology, biotechnology, healthcare, research, and related life-science fields, with options to specialize in General Microbiology or Medical Microbiology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through MICRB 201 – Introductory Microbiology, MICRB 202 – Introductory Microbiology Laboratory or MICRB 203 – Inquiry-based Microbiology Laboratory, alongside CHEM 110 – Chemical Principles I and mathematics. This year develops core knowledge in microbiology, chemistry, quantitative methods, and laboratory practice.

Year 2: Students progress into molecular and cellular biology with courses such as BMB 251 – Molecular and Cell Biology I, BMB 252 – Molecular and Cell Biology II, and BIOL 322 – Genetic Analysis, supported by organic chemistry and physics. These courses strengthen understanding of cellular processes, genetics, biochemical principles, and the scientific methods used to investigate microorganisms.

Year 3: Advanced study begins with BMB 400 – Molecular Biology of the Gene, BMB 401 – General Biochemistry, MICRB 421W – Laboratory of General and Applied Microbiology, and MICRB 450 – Microbial/Molecular Genetics. Students develop deeper expertise in microbial genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and applied laboratory techniques while completing substantial hands-on laboratory work.

Year 4: Students develop advanced microbiology expertise through MICRB 401 – Microbial Physiology and Structure, PPEM 456 – Applied Microbial Ecology, and microbiology electives, with Medical Microbiology students able to take MICRB 410 – Principles of Immunology and MICRB 412 – Medical Microbiology. The final year allows students to deepen their interests through specialized coursework and applied or laboratory-focused electives.

Focus Areas: General microbiology, medical microbiology, microbial physiology, microbial genetics, molecular biology, immunology, virology, applied microbial ecology, cell biology, and laboratory science.

Learning Outcomes: Students develop knowledge of microbial life processes at molecular and cellular levels, gain experience with advanced laboratory methodology, and build skills in microbial genetics, physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and applied microbiology.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The official Penn State program page identifies this as a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology requiring at least 121 credits and does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Microbiology B.S.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Penn State's official program information describes Microbiology as a comprehensive scientific discipline with applications across biological and health-related fields, but the official program source does not provide a specific current QS, Guardian, or program-level employability ranking for the Microbiology B.S.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Microbiology B.S. at Penn State University Park gives students substantial hands-on laboratory experience, with the program specifically identifying extensive laboratory training as a strength of the major. Students develop practical skills in areas such as microbial physiology, molecular genetics, microbial ecology, molecular cloning, and applied microbiology while having opportunities to participate in faculty-initiated research projects.

Students can strengthen this practical foundation through dedicated laboratory courses, undergraduate research, microbiology-focused organizations, and access to advanced life-science research infrastructure:

Microbiology Laboratories: MICRB 202 – Introductory Microbiology Laboratory or MICRB 203 – Inquiry-based Microbiology Laboratory provides early laboratory experience, followed by MICRB 421W – Laboratory of General and Applied Microbiology, where students develop more advanced practical skills.
Molecular Techniques: BMB 442 – Laboratory in Proteins, Nucleic Acids, and Molecular Cloning gives students practical experience with proteins, nucleic acids, and molecular cloning techniques.
Faculty Research: The department provides ample opportunities for faculty-initiated research projects, allowing undergraduate students to gain experience working within active scientific research environments.
Microbiome Research: The One Health Microbiome Center brings together 125 faculty across 42 departments, creating an interdisciplinary environment focused on microbiome science and related research.
Advanced Research Facilities: The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences provides access to specialized facilities including Genomics, Flow Cytometry, Microscopy, Metabolomics, Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry, and Sartorius Cell Culture facilities.
Microscopy Tools: The Huck Microscopy Facility supports electron microscopy, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, and associated software, providing access to sophisticated imaging approaches relevant to microbiological research.
Data Analysis: The One Health Microbiome Center's Data Analysis Working Group (DAWG) conducts workshops on analyzing high-throughput sequencing data, giving students an opportunity to engage with modern microbiome data-analysis approaches.
Microbiology Community: The American Society of Microbiology Chapter at Penn State connects undergraduate microbiologists through career-building events and hands-on microbiology activities.
Research Centers: Students are part of a wider life-science research ecosystem that includes the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Center for Medical Genomics, Center for Molecular Immunology and Infectious Disease, Center for Structural Biology, and One Health Microbiome Center.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Microbiology B.S. prepares students for entry-level positions across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, government, medical, and university research settings, with extensive laboratory experience and opportunities for faculty-initiated research. Penn State also identifies graduate and professional education as a common progression, including microbiology and related sciences as well as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and public health.

Typical Job Roles: Industrial Microbiologist, Biomedical Researcher, Research Technician, Public Health Scientist.

Career Support & Employer Connections:

Career Services: Penn State Career Services provides career counseling and coaching, resume and interview support, career events, employer connections, and Nittany Lion Careers, its system for finding jobs and internships.
Science Career Support: Eberly College of Science provides career resources and connects students with opportunities across scientific and health-related fields.
Industry Access: Penn State's research enterprise reports more than 2,000 industry partnerships and 9,000+ industry research projects over the last decade, with opportunities that include internships, co-ops, student training, and talent-pipeline programs.
Microbiome Industry Partnership: Penn State's One Health Microbiome Center has a formal partnership with QIAGEN, supporting biotechnology training and research capabilities and including internships for graduate students.

Employment & Salary Figures: Penn State's official Microbiology B.S. materials identify career destinations and job types but do not state a specific employment rate or salary figure for Microbiology B.S. graduates. The university instead provides career information showing roles such as research technician, industrial microbiologist, biomedical researcher, drug-development professional, and public-health scientist.

University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from Penn State's broader industry ecosystem and the life-sciences research environment surrounding the Huck Institutes and Eberly College of Science. The QIAGEN–One Health Microbiome Center partnership is particularly relevant to microbiology, spanning research, education, outreach, biotechnology training, and molecular-research technologies.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: Penn State's official Microbiology B.S. materials do not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the degree. The program's stated academic preparation in laboratory methodology, data interpretation, microbiology principles, and professional skills supports progression into scientific employment and further graduate or professional study.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can enter industry, government, medical, and university research laboratories, while others continue to graduate or professional schools. Penn State specifically lists MS/PhD programs, medical school (MD/DO), dental school, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health (MPH), and veterinary school among possible next steps.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Microbiology B.S., students can pursue an MS or PhD in microbiology or related disciplines such as biochemistry, biology, bioinformatics, cell biology, chemistry, genomics, immunology, neurobiology, toxicology, pharmacology, or plant pathology. The degree also provides preparation for medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary, and public-health programs, with further study in law or business also identified by Penn State as possible pathways.