BS in Microbiology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Hawaii Manoa

Program Overview

The BS in Microbiology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa provides a focused scientific education in microorganisms, combining strong foundations in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biochemistry with rigorous upper-division microbiology study. It suits students interested in laboratory science, research, health-related fields, biotechnology, environmental microbiology, or graduate and professional education, with the BS offering more major-focused coursework than the BA.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build the scientific foundation needed for advanced microbiology through Introduction to Biology I and II with Labs (BIOL 171/171L and BIOL 172/172L), alongside General Chemistry I and II with Labs (CHEM 161/161L and CHEM 162/162L). The first year also develops quantitative preparation through the mathematics requirements, establishing the groundwork for upper-division laboratory and microbiology courses.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized biological study with Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab (BIOL 275/275L) and continue the BS science sequence through Organic Chemistry I and II (CHEM 272/272L and CHEM 273) and physics. Calculus II (MATH 216, 242, or 252A) is also required for the BS, giving students stronger quantitative preparation for scientific study.

Year 3: The microbiology core becomes more intensive with Biology of Microorganisms + Lab (MICR 351/351L), Microbial Physiology (MICR 431), and Immunology (MICR 461). Students examine microorganisms at physiological and host-interaction levels while beginning to choose advanced microbiology coursework and laboratory experiences.

Year 4: Students complete the advanced BS microbiology sequence with Bacterial Genetics (MICR 475), a Group 1 microbiology elective such as Introductory Bioinformatics (MICR 361), Microbiology of Pathogens (MICR 463), Virology (MICR 490), or Microbes and Their Environment (MICR 485), and three 400-level microbiology laboratory courses. The program also includes Principles of Biochemistry (BIOL 402/MBBE 402) or Basic Biochemistry (BIOC 441) and approved microbiology electives, allowing students to deepen their interests before graduation.

Focus Areas

Microbial physiology, immunology, bacterial genetics, bioinformatics, marine microbiology, microbial pathogenesis, environmental microbiology, virology, and laboratory microbiology.

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to explain biological processes from molecules to ecosystems using evolutionary perspectives and Hawaiʻi examples; critically evaluate scientific evidence; apply the scientific method and quantitative reasoning; work independently and in teams ethically; and communicate biological information clearly in oral and written forms.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The BS in Microbiology is offered within the School of Life Sciences at UH Mānoa. The university is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), with its accreditation reaffirmed for 10 years from 2022–2032; UH Mānoa states that professional programs are individually accredited where applicable. No separate professional accreditation for the BS in Microbiology is stated on the official program page.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UH Mānoa was ranked No. 643 globally and No. 84 in the United States in the 2027 QS World University Rankings; the QS methodology includes employer reputation and employment outcomes among its measures. UH Mānoa's Institutional Research Office also reports a 2026 QS subject ranking of 401–450 globally for the broad Life Sciences and Medicine area.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Microbiology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa gives students extensive hands-on preparation through dedicated microbiology laboratory courses, bioinformatics, microbial physiology, immunology, bacterial genetics, virology, and environmental microbiology. The program also connects students with faculty-mentored research through the School of Life Sciences and university research facilities, while the clinical microbiology route can provide additional laboratory experience through a supervised clinical preceptorship.

Students can develop practical laboratory, research, computational, and clinical skills through these program-specific opportunities:

Microbiology laboratory training: MICR 351L Biology of Microorganisms Lab provides three-hour laboratory sessions, while advanced options include Microbial Physiology Lab, Immunology Lab, Microbiology of Pathogens Lab, Bacterial Genetics Lab, Microbes and Their Environment Lab, and Virology Lab.
Bioinformatics and digital tools: MICR 361 Introductory Bioinformatics combines lectures with a three-hour laboratory and introduces students to biological information involving DNA, proteins, genomes, and proteomes using information technology.
Bacterial genetics techniques: MICR 475L provides practical experience with transformation, conjugation, transposon mutagenesis, and preparation and analysis of plasmid and chromosomal DNA.
Virology laboratory: MICR 490L gives students practical experience with virus isolation, cell culture, assays, purification, and identification of viruses.
Marine microbiology: MICR 401 and MICR 401L examine the evolution, ecology, biochemistry, genetics, and physiology of marine bacteria, with a dedicated laboratory component. This provides a distinctive opportunity to study microorganisms in Hawaiʻi's marine environment.
Faculty-mentored research: The College of Natural Sciences' Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) connects students with faculty-mentored research and provides funding opportunities for research projects and presentations. Students can also use ForagerOne to search faculty profiles and research opportunities.
Hands-on genomics research: The UH Mānoa SEA-PHAGES program is a two-semester, discovery-based undergraduate research course in which students isolate and characterize viruses from local soil samples, annotate their genomes, and conduct independent bioinformatic research projects.
Clinical laboratory experience: Microbiology majors can pursue the university's Clinical Microbiology Route, which includes MICR 351/L, MICR 461/L, and MICR 463/L followed by MEDT 581 Clinical Microbiology Preceptorship in an accredited clinical laboratory setting.
Research facilities: UH Mānoa students have access to affiliated research environments including the Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Institute for Biogenesis Research, and Kewalo Marine Laboratory through directed research opportunities.
Core scientific facilities: The Pacific Biosciences Research Center includes the Microbial, Genomic, and Arthropod Laboratory (MGAL) and Microscopy Imaging Center for Research through Observation (MICRO), providing access to instrumentation, services, and scientific expertise for the UH community.
Research areas: School of Life Sciences faculty research in Microbiology & Molecular Cell Biology includes faculty working in microbiology-related research, providing potential avenues for undergraduate students to explore faculty laboratories.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A BS in Microbiology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa can prepare students for laboratory, clinical, public-health, biotechnology, environmental, and research-oriented careers. The program also offers a direct route into clinical microbiology training and provides a strong foundation for advanced study through UH Mānoa’s graduate programs in microbiology.

Career roles: Clinical Microbiologist, Microbiology Laboratory Technician, Research Laboratory Professional, Public Health Laboratory Professional.

Career services: The Mānoa Career Center supports students and recent graduates with career planning, job placement, cooperative education, internships, resume and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation, and graduate-school application guidance. Students can also use the university’s employment database and attend career fairs to connect with employers.
Clinical career pathway: Students interested in clinical laboratory careers can follow UH Mānoa’s Clinical Microbiology Route, which combines the BA/BS Microbiology degree with coursework in microbiology, immunology, pathogens, clinical parasitology, and medical technology, plus required clinical experience in an accredited laboratory.
Employment statistics: UH Mānoa’s official sources provide university and college-level employment information, but a Microbiology-specific graduate employment rate is not stated on the official program pages reviewed.
Salary figures: A Microbiology-specific graduate salary figure is not stated on the official University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa program or career pages reviewed, so no salary figure is provided here rather than using an external estimate.
University–industry connections: UH Mānoa has documented biotechnology and biomedical collaborations, including a collaboration involving Hawaiʻi Biotech Inc., Soligenix Inc., and UH Mānoa researchers focused on developing a heat-stable Ebola vaccine. The university’s Microbiology graduate program also identifies biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, and ocean sciences as major application areas for microbiology research.
Research progression: Students can build toward professional research careers through the School of Life Sciences, whose microbiology research areas include marine microbiology, microbial ecology, vaccine development, molecular diagnostics, bacterial pathogenesis, environmental biotechnology, microbiome research, and synthetic biology.
Long-term accreditation value: UH Mānoa is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its accreditation was reaffirmed for 10 years in 2022–2032, the longest period possible under WSCUC.
Graduation outcomes: A Microbiology-specific graduation or post-graduation employment outcome is not stated on the official program pages reviewed. The university does publish broader student outcome and persistence information through its official consumer-information resources.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Microbiology, students can continue into the Master of Science in Microbiology at UH Mānoa, with thesis and non-thesis options that develop advanced microbiology knowledge and research competence. Students seeking research-intensive careers can progress further to the PhD in Microbiology, which develops advanced expertise and independent research skills; the PhD can also admit academically strong BS graduates with research experience.