College of Veterinary Medicine > Education > Undergraduate > Microbiology

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of organisms and viruses too small to be seen by the unaided eye.

Microbiology majors prepare to work in many different settings, including in the field and laboratories, or with an agency specializing in public health. Careers open to microbiology majors include research and production positions in food, pharmaceutical, water quality and environmental testing, and biotechnology industries; in private or governmental laboratories; and in nonprofit institutions, such as clinical and hospital laboratories and institutes.

Graduates can pursue advanced degree work in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and other fields.

Undergraduate degree quick links

Specializations

  • Medical Technology focuses on microbiological techniques to diagnose diseases and pathologies related to human-microbe interactions. 
  • Molecular Biology focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of living cells through approaches from chemistry, physics, and biology. 
STARS student in lab

STARS

Students Targeted toward Advanced Research Studies

  • Earn an Bachelor of Science in as little as 3 years.
  • Earn an accelerated PhD degree in as little as 7 years.
Learn more about our accelerated degree program

WSU has prepared me for my career by the vast amount of opportunities and connections I have made. I was able to join a research lab without prior research experience and it has been so informative and helped me fully realize this is the type of career I want.

–Brayden Olsen, microbiology student

Career

With a Microbiology degree, you can work in:  

  • Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries 
  • Water quality and environmental testing 
  • Agricultural and food industries 
  • Private or governmental laboratories 
  • Research and development 

Undergraduate Research at the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Tuition and financial resources

We know financial planning is important. Learn about estimated annual cost of attendance for resident and nonresident students, and available financial aid and scholarships.

If you’re a current undergraduate student, log in to the college’s internal web to see additional available college scholarships and financial resources.

Undergraduate stories

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About the school

The School of Molecular Biosciences offers undergraduate through postdoctoral education in biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, and microbiology. Beginning their first year, students have the opportunity to work with leading faculty to gain hands-on research experience.

Questions about the Microbiology degree program? Email smbugrad@vetmed.wsu.edu.

June morning Kamiak butte

Tours & Visits

Pullman is located in the Palouse region of the Inland Northwest, homelands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe and Palus people. The Palouse has one of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the world. Rolling hills and wide-open skies give the region its distinctive appeal.

Residents enjoy outdoor activities and the benefits of small town living with the cultural richness of bigger city life.

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