Biological Sciences Major, BS –Microbiology Concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Tennessee

Program Overview

The Biological Sciences BS with a Microbiology concentration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is designed for students interested in understanding microorganisms and their roles in human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Students build a broad biological foundation before progressing into specialized study of microbiology, including infectious diseases, immunology, microbial genetics, physiology, pathogenesis, virology, microbial ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their biological and scientific foundation through courses such as BIOL 150 – Organismal and Ecological Biology, BIOL 159 – Skills of Biological Investigation, and BIOL 160 – Cellular and Molecular Biology. Chemistry, mathematics, and physics requirements complement this foundation and prepare students for upper-level microbiology study.

Year 2: Students begin more specialized biological study with BIOL 220 – General Microbiology and BIOL 229 – General Microbiology Laboratory, developing foundational knowledge and laboratory experience in microbiology. They can also progress through BIOL 240 – General Genetics, alongside supporting coursework in chemistry, mathematics, physics, or related biological sciences.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly specialized through courses such as MICR 305 – Global Emerging Infectious Diseases and One Health, MICR 321 – Advanced Microbiology, and MICR 329 – Advanced Microbiology Lab. Depending on course availability and individual interests, students can also explore MICR 330 – Immunology, MICR 410 – Microbial Physiology, MICR 411 – Microbial Genetics, or MICR 420 – Microbial Pathogenesis.

Year 4: Students can deepen their expertise through advanced subjects such as MICR 440 – Virology, MICR 470 – Microbial Ecology, MICR 479 – Advanced Techniques in Nucleic Acid Sequencing, and MICR 480 – Genomics/Bioinformatics. Research-focused students can undertake MICR 401 – Undergraduate Research or MICR 402 – Advanced Undergraduate Research, while MICR 495 – Senior Seminar provides an advanced capstone-style academic experience.

Focus areas: Microbial genetics, microbial physiology, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, virology, microbial ecology, food microbiology, medical microbiology, emerging infectious diseases, genomics, bioinformatics, and geomicrobiology.

Learning outcomes: Students develop knowledge of microorganisms and their biological processes, laboratory and research skills, scientific problem-solving abilities, experience working in research settings, and preparation for careers or advanced study in microbiology and related biological sciences.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees; no separate professional accreditation for the Biological Sciences–Microbiology concentration is stated on the university's official program pages.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, does not state a program-specific employability ranking for the Microbiology concentration on its official pages. At university level, UT was ranked No. 50 among public universities nationally in the 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, while its four-year graduation rate was reported at 71.4% and first-year retention at 93.1%.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biological Sciences BS – Microbiology Concentration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, gives students direct experience with microbiological research through laboratory-based coursework, faculty-mentored projects, and opportunities to work in active departmental research laboratories. Students can learn how to conduct experiments, analyze data, draw scientific conclusions, and communicate research findings, while the department’s research spans microbial ecology, microbial-host interactions, microbial genetics, virology, immunology, and microbial pathology.

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

Research laboratories: Students can join Department of Microbiology research laboratories as volunteers, for academic credit through MICR 401 and MICR 402, or in some cases as paid undergraduate researchers. Research projects involve experimental work, data analysis, conclusions, and scientific writing.
Independent research: MICR 401 and MICR 402 allow students to conduct research with a Microbiology faculty member or an approved scientist from another UT unit. Projects can involve experimental or observational data analysis and question-driven scientific research.
Group research experience: Research students may participate in laboratory group meetings, maintain a research notebook, present at conferences, and prepare a written summary of their research. This provides experience working within a scientific research team rather than simply assisting with laboratory tasks.
Genomics and DNA/RNA analysis: UT specifically identifies its Genomics Core as a resource where microbiology students learn to sequence and analyze DNA/RNA, providing exposure to modern genomic methods.
Computational biology and bioinformatics: The Department of Microbiology's research environment includes bioinformatics and mathematical modeling, alongside genomics, lipidomics, genetics, biochemistry, enzymology, and molecular biology.
Summer research internship: The Microbiology REU – Microbial Community Interactions and Functions provides a 10-week research experience in individual projects within approximately 20 faculty laboratories across multiple UT departments, with academic and professional-development activities.
Research presentations: Undergraduate researchers have opportunities to present their findings at conferences and contribute to scientific publications through UT’s research environment.
Field-based microbiology: Department research exposes students to microbial environments ranging from deep-ocean sediments and Arctic environments to Costa Rican hot springs and volcanoes, Antarctic sub-glacial lakes, marine and freshwater ecosystems, plant roots, insects, and animal-associated systems.
Research partnerships: UT microbiology research is supported through collaborations with organizations including the NIH, NSF, NASA, Department of Energy, EPA, USDA, industry, and foundations, giving students access to a research environment connected to major scientific organizations.
Microbiology Undergraduate Club: The Microbiology Undergraduate Club, UT Knoxville’s student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology, helps students explore microbiology careers and facilitates opportunities to participate in faculty-laboratory research projects.
Research and professional development: UT's undergraduate research opportunities can include training in experimental design, research ethics, scientific communication, and advanced laboratory techniques, particularly through its structured summer research programs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biological Sciences BS with a Microbiology concentration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville develops a foundation in microorganisms, genetics, cell biology, ecology, and laboratory science that can support careers in research, healthcare, biotechnology, environmental science, and related fields. The concentration also provides preparation for graduate and professional education, particularly for students who want to continue into advanced biological or health-related study.

Career roles: Microbiologist, Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant, Biotechnology Technician.

Career services: The Center for Career Development helps students explore careers, prepare application materials, develop interviewing skills, find internships and employment opportunities, and connect with employers through career fairs and recruiting programs.
Employment outcomes: UT's Center for Career Development publishes career and graduate-school outcomes for graduates; university-level outcomes should be used rather than presenting a microbiology-specific salary figure when one is not officially reported. Microbiology-specific salary data: not stated by the university.
Research opportunities: Students can gain research experience with faculty across the Department of Microbiology, including research involving microbial physiology, genetics, pathogenesis, environmental microbiology, and related areas.
University–industry connections: UT Knoxville's UT Research Foundation supports the commercialization and transfer of university discoveries and connects researchers with external organizations and industry partners. The university's Center for Renewable Carbon and other research centers also provide opportunities for collaboration involving biotechnology and applied biological research.
Accreditation value: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This accreditation provides continuing institutional recognition of the university and its academic programs.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter laboratory, research, biotechnology, environmental, healthcare, education, and government settings, while students interested in advanced scientific or healthcare careers can use the bachelor's degree as preparation for graduate or professional programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into graduate education in fields such as microbiology, biological sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or related life sciences. UT Knoxville offers graduate study through its biological and biomedical research departments, including master's and doctoral-level opportunities, while the undergraduate foundation can also support applications to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other health professions.