BS in Microbiology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Iowa

Program Overview

The University of Iowa’s Microbiology BS develops a strong foundation in microorganisms, immunology, biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, physics, and quantitative methods, with tracks designed for health-science and research-focused students. It suits students interested in microbiology careers, laboratory research, public health, or advanced professional and graduate study, with opportunities to study areas such as bacterial genetics, human disease, virology, and computational biology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through Principles of Chemistry I, Foundations of Biology, and quantitative coursework such as Calculus for the Biological Sciences. They also begin Iowa’s general education curriculum and develop university-level writing and communication skills.

Year 2: Students progress into Diversity of Form and Function, Organic Chemistry I and II, and the core microbiology sequence of General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory. The laboratory course includes individual and group activities focused on applying observations about bacteria and viruses.

Year 3: Coursework becomes more specialized, combining Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and II, physics, and advanced microbiology such as Immunology and Human Disease, Viruses and Human Disease, or Applied Computational Biology. Students following the Scholar Track can also begin Undergraduate Research in Microbiology, gaining supervised experience with experimental research.

Year 4: Students deepen their specialization through advanced microbiology and immunology electives such as Bacterial Genetics, Virology Laboratory, and additional research or computational coursework. Scholar Track students can continue Undergraduate Research in Microbiology, while options such as Virology Discussion and advanced electives allow students to tailor their final year toward research, health sciences, or further study.

Focus Areas

Bacteriology, microbial genetics, virology, parasitology, immunology, physiology, infectious disease, bacterial genetics, computational biology, health sciences, and microbiological research.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop knowledge of microorganisms and their biology, laboratory and research skills, scientific data-analysis and communication abilities, and an understanding of microbial interactions with human health and disease.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accreditation: The University of Iowa's institutional accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC); the university's Microbiology BS is an undergraduate degree within the Carver College of Medicine rather than a separately professionally accredited microbiology program.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Reputation: The University of Iowa states that its microbiology program has a solid national reputation and highlights research opportunities as preparation for employment and admission to graduate and professional programs. The university reports that 95% of Iowa graduates are employed, continuing education, or not seeking work within six months of graduation; this is a university-level figure rather than a microbiology-specific employment rate.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Iowa’s Microbiology program gives students substantial hands-on experience through laboratory courses, faculty-mentored research, computational biology, and advanced microbiology projects. Students can work directly in Department of Microbiology and Immunology laboratories through paid positions, volunteering, or academic credit, while the Scholar Track provides particularly strong preparation for research-focused careers and graduate study.

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

Microbiology laboratories: MICR:2158 General Microbiology Laboratory provides dedicated laboratory training, while MICR:3165 Genetics of Bacterial Pathogens Lab and Discussion and MICR:3178 Virology Laboratory provide more advanced practical experience.
Faculty-mentored research: Students can enroll in MICR:4161 Undergraduate Research in Microbiology or MICR:4171 Honors Undergraduate Research in Microbiology and participate intellectually in the execution and development of a research project in a faculty laboratory.
Research laboratory opportunities: Students may join Department of Microbiology and Immunology laboratories as volunteers, paid hourly employees, or for research credit, giving them multiple routes into active research.
Computational tools and methods: MICR:3182 Applied Computational Biology, along with related courses such as Bioinformatics for Beginners, Genomics, and Practical Data Science and Bioinformatics, gives students opportunities to develop computational and data-analysis skills relevant to modern microbiology.
Summer research: The 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates in Microbiology at the Host-Pathogen Interface involves full-time hands-on research in microbiology, microbial genetics, or molecular biology under faculty and graduate-student mentors, followed by a campus-wide poster presentation.
Research presentation: The Stinski Undergraduate Research Fellowship requires recipients to continue undergraduate research and present their work at the spring Microbiology Undergraduate Poster Session.
Research areas: Department laboratories span bacteriology, microbial genetics, virology, parasitology, immunology, and physiology, allowing students to gain experience in different areas of microbiological research.
Professional development: The summer research program includes weekly seminars, workshops, science-communication activities, industry-professional presentations, and graduate-school sessions, connecting laboratory work with professional development.
Research facilities and institutes: Students can access the research environment of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology within the Carver College of Medicine, with undergraduate research taking place in faculty research laboratories.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Microbiology degree at the University of Iowa can prepare graduates for careers across government, hospitals, public health laboratories, research laboratories, and industrial laboratories, including food, dairy, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology organizations. The program also provides a strong foundation for advanced study, with the Scholar Track specifically recommended for students interested in graduate training or careers as microbiologists.

Career roles: Environmental Microbiologist, Agricultural Microbiologist, Medical Microbiologist/Virologist, Research Laboratory Professional.

Career services: The Pomerantz Career Center provides resources to help students find internships and jobs, while Iowa also offers career-outcome and employer information through its undergraduate outcomes resources.
Employment outcomes: The University of Iowa reports a 96% placement rate for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates—employed, continuing education, or not seeking work—within six months of graduation. University-wide data report a $55,000 median salary within six months and $80,210 median income 10 years after graduation; these figures are for Iowa graduates overall, not specifically microbiology graduates.
Industry connections: Iowa's career-outcomes data identify employers hiring Iowa graduates, including University of Iowa Health Care, Integrated DNA Technologies, UnityPoint Health, Medtronic, and Procter & Gamble. The university's Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing also explicitly supports university-industry partnerships and the translation of research into industrial and clinical applications.
Research experience: Students can undertake Undergraduate Research in Microbiology (MICR:4161), while the Scholar Track includes advanced microbiology, laboratory, computational biology, and research opportunities.
Accreditation value: The University of Iowa has successfully completed its 2023 Assurance Review with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), providing institutional accreditation that supports the long-term academic recognition of an Iowa degree.
Graduation outcomes: Across the university, 59% of graduates reported having received job offers at graduation, while 71% completed an internship, practicum, research, or co-op experience; within six months, 96% were employed, continuing education, or not seeking employment.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can progress into advanced study in microbiology and related biomedical or life-science fields. The University of Iowa offers a Microbiology MS and PhD, while the BS Health Sciences Track also supports preparation for medical, dental, and pharmacy school; students pursuing the Scholar Track can build toward graduate research training.