FIELDS OF EDUCATION, CAREER OPTIONS AND PROSPECTUS

CAREER IN MICROBIOLOGY

Microbiology  : Career Options & Prospects

The career opportunities to choose from as a microbiologist will depend on the level of education and training you receive. The following is a partial list of descriptions of some of the many career options available to microbiologists.

Bacteriologists : Work in the field of bacteriology and study bacteria.

Environmental Microbiologists : Work in the field of environmental science and study microbial processes in the environment.

Food Microbiologists : Work in the food industry and study microorganisms that cause foodborne illness and spoilage.

Industrial Microbiologists : Generally work in field of biotechnology and study microorganisms that produce useful products.

Medical Microbiologists : Medical practitioners (doctors) who have chosen to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of microbial diseases in patients.

Mycologists : work in the field of mycology and study fungi.

Protozoologists : work in the field of protozoology and study protists.

Biochemist : Discover and teach us how organisms obtain energy, consume nutrients and reproduce.

Biotechnologist : Manipulate genes in order to modify microorganisms. Their work produced novel organisms that make new products for human use. (i.e. insulin, medicine, grocery store items).

Cell Biologists : Explore the actions of molecules on and in the cell. Their investigations determine how microorganisms and cell function.

Geneticists : The language of life is written with four letters, A, C, G, and T. Each letter taken by itself is meaningless. But together the letter create a code of life. Geneticists study the process by which organisms inherit and transmit genetic information.

Immunologists : Investigate the body's defense against disease. to answer basic questions about bacterial growth, metabolism, diversity and evolution.

Parasitologists : Investigate the complex life cycles of and adaptations made by organisms which depend on other organisms for survival.

Science Writer : Write articles for the general public as well as for microbiology professionals. They must have a thorough understanding of language, grammar and science.

Teachers : Educate students about the usefulness and uniqueness of microorganisms.

Virologists : Study viruses and bacteriophages. Virologists are interested in how viruses change and are always on the alert for new types.