Microbiology program

Microorganisms impact our everyday lives.

Do you want to know how to diagnose, prevent and treat infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites? Do you want to learn about using microbes to clean-up the environment, or produce food and beverages? Then become a microbiology major.

Career opportunities with a microbiology degree are wide ranging, and microbiology is excellent preparation for graduate school and professional schools such as medical school.

Microbiology at UWL is recognized statewide and nationally. The program offers a collection of courses not available anywhere else in the country. Named a Universities of Wisconsin “Center of Excellence," the program is focused on providing students hands-on experience in labs using cutting-edge equipment.

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Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, their activities and uses. Although small in size, microorganisms — viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa and algae — are almost everywhere and play an enormous role in the environment and in society. Microbes impact human health, disease, and medicine. They are integral to the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. And they are critical in global nutrient cycling and agriculture.

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Environmental Concentration

Undergrad major View a sample plan Catalog

Environmental Microbiology

Undergrad certificate

Food Microbiology

Undergrad certificate

Medical Microbiology and Immunology

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A program within the Microbiology Department

What is microbiology?

The Microbiology Department is incredibly dedicated to students’ future endeavors. They take the time to teach the details of valuable technical skills. These skills directly translate to competence in the workplace and are quickly noticed by employers.

Jacob Schmidt

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Microbiology jobs

A microbiology major provides a foundation for numerous employment opportunities, as well as excellent preparation for graduate school and professional schools such as medical school, veterinary school, dental school and pharmacy school.

Since microbes have numerous uses in biotechnology, microbiologists find employment in a variety of food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries. In addition, the continued need to better understand, diagnose, prevent and treat infectious diseases fosters an ever-growing demand for medical microbiologists. Scientists also continue to discover new microbes with a wide variety of potential applications, suggesting that future opportunities in microbiology are almost limitless.

Entry-level positions

Environmental microbiologist
Food and dairy microbiologist
Fermentation microbiologist
Hospital and public health microbiologist
Research and development microbiologist
Pharmaceutical sales person
Research technician

Graduate study in

Microbiology
Biochemistry
Epidemiology
Genetics
Immunology
Molecular biology
Medical school
Dental school
Pharmacy school
Physician assistant programs
Veterinary school

What distinguishes UWL's Microbiology program?

Laboratory-focused education with cutting-edge equipment

Microbiology faculty have received more than $1 million in educational grants to ensure that teaching laboratories contain the latest equipment. Education in the program is focused in the lab setting, providing graduates with the experience and confidence to excel in their future careers. Graduates gain a breadth and depth of knowledge and laboratory experiences that they won't find anywhere else.

Unique program nationwide

The UWL Department of Microbiology is the only "Microbiology Department" in the nation located at a non-doctoral degree granting institution. Because of UWL's undergraduate and master's degree focus, UWL Microbiology faculty are dedicated to providing superb education and research opportunities for students at these levels.

"Center of Excellence" designation

UWL has been recognized as a UW System “Center of Excellence” for Microbiology, based on the exceptional quality of the undergraduate laboratory science education. The microbiology major has been in existence since 1984.

Student involvement opportunities

The Microbiology Club is open to all students (majors and non-majors) interested in microbiology. The club is dedicated to promoting education and opportunities in all fields of microbiology.

Scholarships available

The Microbiology Department offers seven scholarships, totaling over $5,500, to microbiology majors and clinical laboratory science students each year. Microbiology majors are also eligible for many other science and health scholarships as well as general university scholarships.

Excellent job placement rate

More than 95 % of microbiology graduates interested in employment at the bachelor’s level, obtain jobs within the discipline. Strong laboratory competency is just one reason majors are highly sought after. Each year representatives from several regional companies visit the campus, providing future microbiology graduates with opportunities to connect with potential employers.

Research and internships

Microbiology faculty have active research programs providing abundant opportunities for undergraduate research. In addition, numerous internships are available with local and regional laboratories for microbiology majors.

Quality curriculum

The curriculum is based on the recommendations from the American Society for Microbiology, and is designed to ensure that graduates gain state-of-the-art experience in microbiology.

Modern facility

Microbiology teaching labs are located in the modern science labs building, the Prairie Springs Science Center. The use of high-tech research and teaching equipment prepares students for the skills required in the modern world.

Choose your path

Students may major in microbiology, or elect a biomedical, environmental science, or business concentration, each with slightly different curricula. After completing a core of microbiology courses, students may choose electives that allow them to specialize. A large number of electives are available in areas of virology, parasitology, mycology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, food and industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology, plant microbiology, and research.

Sample courses

MIC 130 Global Impact of Infectious Disease A multifaceted examination of issues related to infectious disease throughout the world. The course will begin with historical examples of how infectious disease has impacted society, from plagues of centuries past to recent emerging diseases. After defining the types of pathogens and methods for their control, the interplay between infectious disease and global economics, health and politics will be evaluated. Additionally, the impact of public perceptions and misconceptions on the spread of infectious disease will be analyzed. Finally, the role of current human activities in shaping disease patterns of the future will be explored. CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

MIC 310 Immunology Fundamentals of immune system structure and function. Includes response to infectious agents, as well as vaccination, allergy, autoimmune disease, cancer, organ transplantation, immune deficiency and related public health issues. Prerequisite: MIC 100 or BIO 105 with a grade of "C" or better; one 200 level or higher biology or microbiology course. Offered Fall, Spring.

MIC 350 Bacterial Diversity This course is a survey of bacteria. Lectures cover bacterial classification and the structure, physiology, ecology, and applications of various groups of bacteria. Special emphasis is placed on the more unique species and those of industrial, ecological, and environmental importance. The laboratory involves enrichment and isolation procedures for selective groups of bacteria. Lect. 2, Lab 3. Prerequisite: MIC 230. Offered Spring.

MIC 380 Food Microbiology A study of environmental factors affecting the growth, activity, and destruction of microorganisms in food; principles of food spoilage; preservation of foods, including basic methods and their application to foods; food-borne intoxications and infections; indicator organisms; sanitation and microbiological standards in foods. Laboratory instruction includes quality control methods, sampling methods, techniques to identify important microorganisms in foods, and data interpretation and analysis. Lect. 2, Lab 4. Prerequisite: MIC 230. Offered Spring.

MIC 350b

MIC 425 Bacterial Physiology An in-depth study of bacterial structure and function, catabolic and anabolic pathways, regulation, and macromolecular synthesis. Laboratory emphasizes techniques used to examine bacterial structure and metabolism, such as macromolecular separations and quantification, use of radioisotopic tracers and quantification of enzyme activity. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Lect. 2, Lab 3, Disc. 1. Prerequisite: MIC 230; additional level 300 or higher MIC course with a lab; CHM 300 or CHM 303; junior standing. Offered Spring.

MIC 416 Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics This course provides an in-depth study of the Central Dogma including DNA replication, transcription, and translation. In addition, specific focus is on mechanisms of gene exchange in prokaryotes including transformation (natural and artificial), conjugation, and transduction (including bacteriophage biology). Other topics covered include genetic terminology, recombination and transposition, mutagenesis and repair, and gene regulation. Laboratory emphasis is on bacterial mutagenesis, genetic exchange and cloning techniques. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students have additional course requirements/expectations. Lect. 2, Dis. 1, Lab 3. Prerequisite: MIC 230; additional 300 or higher level MIC, BIO, or CHM course with a lab; junior standing. Consent of instructor. Offered Fall.

MIC 410 Immunology Laboratory Designed as an introduction to immunology techniques used in clinical and research laboratories. Includes antibody-based diagnostic tests such as ELISA and Western blot. Cell-based techniques include lymphocyte culture and flow cytometry. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Lab 4. Prerequisite: MIC 310 or concurrent enrollment; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

MIC 499 Independent Research in Microbiology An opportunity to pursue individual research topics under the direction of a faculty member. Depending on the nature of the research project, study is expected to involve substantial laboratory or theoretical work in addition to literature review and instruction. Students are expected to develop research skills related to microbiology. In addition to a written report to the supervising faculty member, expected outcomes may include: laboratory notebooks, experimental devices, software, papers and presentations to departments and regional meetings. Completion of safety training required prior to beginning research. Admission with instructor and department approval. Repeatable for credit - maximum 10. Two credits apply to the major. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.