Microbiology, BS (CALS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The Microbiology, BS (CALS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison explores how bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms influence human health, food, medicine, energy, agriculture, and the environment, with a strong emphasis on practical laboratory experience. It suits students interested in biological research, biotechnology, healthcare, food safety, or graduate and professional studies, combining cellular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and microbial physiology with hands-on research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build a strong scientific foundation through courses such as CHEM 103 General Chemistry I, MATH 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1, and the MICROBIO 150 First Year Seminar. These studies establish the chemistry, mathematics, and introductory microbiology knowledge needed for advanced laboratory and biological coursework.

Year 2: Students progress into core biological and microbiological studies, developing their understanding of microorganisms and scientific analysis through courses such as MICROBIO 303 Biology of Microorganisms, MICROBIO 304 Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory, and MICROBIO 305 Critical Analyses in Microbiology. Laboratory work begins to connect microbiological theory with practical experimentation and data interpretation.

Year 3: Students deepen their knowledge through advanced topics including MICROBIO 450 Diversity, Ecology and Evolution of Microorganisms, MICROBIO 470 Microbial Genetics & Molecular Machines, and MICROBIO 526 Physiology of Microorganisms. Electives allow students to explore areas such as microbial pathogenesis, immunology, virology, microbiomes, food microbiology, environmental microbiology, and microbial biotechnology.

Year 4: Students develop advanced laboratory and research capabilities through MICROBIO 527 Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Microbiology and complete the MICROBIO 551 Capstone Research Project in Microbiology. The capstone provides an opportunity to conduct research under faculty direction or through class projects, bringing together experimental design, scientific data analysis, and communication skills.

Focus areas:

Microbial genetics, microbial physiology, microbiology, microbial ecology and evolution, infectious disease, immunology, virology, microbiomes, food microbiology, environmental microbiology, microbial biotechnology, public health, laboratory research.

Learning outcomes:

Understand fundamental microbiology principles, apply the scientific method, perform and critically evaluate microbiological techniques, analyze scientific data, communicate scientific findings effectively, and demonstrate professional and personal ethics.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

UW–Madison institutional accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Program-specific professional accreditation: Not stated on the official Microbiology, BS (CALS) program page. The curriculum emphasizes laboratory research and scientific communication skills valued by employers and professional schools.

Reputation (employability rankings):

UW–Madison career preparation: The university reports that Microbiology graduates work across public health, healthcare, food science, research, infectious disease, and quality control, while the majority of Microbiology majors conduct research in faculty-led laboratories. A specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for this individual program is not stated on the official program page.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Microbiology, BS (CALS) at UW–Madison gain extensive practical experience through laboratory-based courses, faculty-mentored research, and a senior-year capstone. The program emphasizes modern laboratory techniques and access to advanced research facilities, while students can also gain workplace experience through internships, participate in research projects, and develop professional connections through the Microbiology Club and study-abroad opportunities.

Hands-on laboratory training: Students develop beginning-to-advanced laboratory techniques through instructional laboratory courses, using modern equipment and applying concepts in microbial genetics, physiology, ecology, and other areas of microbiology.
Faculty-led research: The majority of Microbiology majors conduct research in faculty-led laboratories, receiving direct mentorship from professors, scientists, and graduate students. Students can work on mentored or independent projects and learn to conduct experiments, evaluate scientific data, and communicate their findings.
Senior capstone research: The senior-year capstone provides an opportunity to conduct research under a professor's direction or complete class research projects; previous projects have included culturing microbes from hibernating ground squirrels, comparing bacteria from athletes and non-athletes, and culturing microbes from deep-sea vents.
Internship experience: MICROBIO 399 – Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education allows undergraduate students to complete an internship under the guidance of a Bacteriology faculty or instructional academic staff member and an internship-site supervisor, connecting microbiology concepts with professional workplace experience.
Research facilities: Students have access to the Microbial Sciences Building, one of the largest research buildings on campus, where microbiology research and instructional activities take place. The building provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and research opportunities using advanced techniques.
Microbiology Club: Students can participate in the Microbiology Club, the official American Society for Microbiology undergraduate chapter at UW–Madison, with study groups, career exploration, research and job information, outreach activities, and events such as cheese, yogurt, and kombucha making. The club also provides annual travel and research awards.
Global field experiences: Students can choose short-term field experiences, summer research opportunities, and semester-long exchanges; UW–Madison also frequently offers a Thailand study-abroad program specifically tailored for microbiology majors and led by microbiology faculty.
Career and workplace tools: CALS Career Services supports career advising, résumé and cover-letter development, networking, interviews, and job/internship searches, while Handshake provides access to career events, campus interviews, and job and internship opportunities from 200,000+ employers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Microbiology, BS (CALS) prepares students for laboratory-focused careers by combining microbiology theory with extensive practical experience in modern laboratory techniques, research, and scientific communication. Graduates can enter fields including public health, healthcare, food science, biotechnology, research, infectious disease, and quality control, while the degree also provides strong preparation for graduate and professional study.

Typical job roles: Research Scientist, Quality Control Officer, Health Inspector, Public Health Official

Career services: CALS Career Services helps students with career advising, résumé and cover-letter development, networking, interview preparation, internships, and job exploration. Students can also use Handshake to access career events, campus interviews, and job and internship opportunities from more than 200,000 employers.
Research experience: Faculty-led research is a major pathway, with the university reporting that more than 60% of Microbiology students conduct faculty-directed research. Students can receive direct mentorship from professors, scientists, and graduate students, while departmental summer research funding is also available.
Employment outcomes: Microbiology graduates work in public health, healthcare, food science, research, infectious disease, quality control, and related areas. UW–Madison's official Microbiology materials do not state a program-specific employment rate or salary figure, so these figures are not stated rather than estimated.
Industry relevance: Laboratory and professional skills developed through the program are explicitly identified by UW–Madison as valuable to employers and professional schools. The senior capstone includes research projects such as culturing microbes from hibernating ground squirrels, comparing bacteria from athletes and non-athletes, and studying microbes from deep-sea vents.
Professional recognition: American Society for Microbiology connection adds professional exposure through the Microbiology Club, which serves as UW–Madison's official ASM undergraduate chapter and provides annual travel and research awards to outstanding students.
Accreditation value: Higher Learning Commission accreditation provides institutional recognition for UW–Madison and supports the long-term academic value of its bachelor's degrees. The university's official academic Guide confirms that UW–Madison is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Graduation outcomes: Laboratory research, scientific communication, data analysis, microbiological techniques, and scientific-method skills prepare graduates for professional employment as well as advanced study. Alumni have progressed into roles including physicians, research scientists, public health officials, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants, physical therapists, quality control officers, health inspectors, and professors.

Further Academic Progression: After the BS, students can pursue graduate and professional education, including biological sciences PhD programs and professional programs such as medical, dental, and other health-related schools. The program's research-intensive training also provides a strong foundation for advanced study in microbiology and related biological sciences.