“I want to thank my microbiology professors for sparking my interest in this field and for teaching such mentally stimulating but also extremely fun classes/labs with very up-to-date science!”
Chloe Villagomez (Microbiology, B.S. '17), research scientist at Juno Therapeutics, a biotech company in Seattle, Washington.
Fun fact: Our undergraduate microbiology major is the only Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology offered in the state of Oregon.
Microbiology is the scientific study of microorganisms. This major explores how microorganisms live, grow and interact with their environments. It delves into the tiny, unseen aspects of life that have a big impact on our lives, from causing infections to helping us produce and preserve our food.
A Bachelor of Science in microbiology will provide you excellent job opportunities. A microbiology degree will prepare you for jobs in national labs, environmental and natural resource agencies, research institutes, food and pharmaceutical industries and the non-profit sector. In fact, three months after graduation, 95% of recent OSU microbiology graduates have been employed in a microbiology-related field or accepted to a program for further education (graduate school or medical, dental and pharmacy school).
Microbiologists' expertise in bacteria, viruses and parasites serves to address environmental, medical and molecular biological problems. Work is typically performed either in a lab or in the field, so research skills are a must when it comes to microbiology careers.
Want to know more about what microbiologists do? Check out research happening right here at OSU. Our work covers the following realms:
OSU microbiology students study with and conduct research alongside faculty renowned for their pioneering work on virology and immunology. You'll have extensive opportunities to engage in undergraduate research, international study programs and internships. You will also have opportunities to conduct field studies spanning environmental sciences, human and animal health, ocean ecosystems and medicine. The microbiology major even has a built-in chemistry minor to provide a background in the physical sciences and enhance your skills as a scientist.
Fun fact: Our medical school acceptance rate was 74% in 2024, well above the national average of 40%!
As a microbiology major, you may elect to complete one of the transcript-visible degree options below, although an option is not required:
The pre-medicine option in microbiology will help prepare a student for taking the standardized test required for medical school application (MCAT), as well as provide an additional perspective in the humanities that is valued by medical programs.
The aquatic microbiology option is for students with an interest in the microbiology of water habitats. Students will gain foundational knowledge of stream, estuarine and marine ecosystems and their microbial processes by taking core oceanography and aquatic systems courses.
Wondering what kind of classes you'll take? Your microbiology major includes in-depth curriculum, including courses like
Want to know more about coursework requirements? Use the OSU Catalog to learn more about:
What does your four-year course load look like as a microbiology major? Check out this sample plan for one example of how to map out your academic journey.
Meet Jai, a microbiology major and transfer student. Jai shares her experiences that include fascinating microbiology labs, working with advisors and faculty, prepping for a rewarding career and more.
What makes a microbiology degree from Oregon State better? One big reason: Our hands-on learning experiences! Science is often a competitive career field — these experiences give you the real-world skills to support your future goals.
This is your chance to see up close what it means to be a scientist. Don’t just study science in the classroom — get in a lab and contribute to it, working alongside world-class faculty!
Practice your science in a professional setting. An internship with a real-world employer is the perfect opportunity to experience what your future career in science could look like.
Our students’ work spans the globe! Immerse yourself in another culture to gain a global perspective in your studies.
Here’s your chance to discover like-minded communities of peers who share your interests! Come together and engage in meaningful ways.
Team Science is here to help you thrive. Our student support is another reason we always say, "science is better at Oregon State." You'll have access to a huge array of support services and resources designed to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Here are some places to get started:
At OSU, support comes in a LOT of forms — here's where to start. From our Science Success Center to health and wellness resources, connect with the support you need to thrive as a college student.
Love learning in smaller, collaborative group settings? Our Learning Assistant Program combines small-school attention with big-school resources. Your LA group replaces traditional lecture formats with active learning strategies, maximizing the way you engage with your STEM courses.
Our tutoring centers are welcoming, friendly spaces where peer and faculty mentors offer guidance and share study techniques to help you grasp course materials and improve your academic performance.
Microbiology advisors aim to work in partnership with you and help you to tend to the logistics of getting your degree, maximize your educational experience and set the stage for life after you graduate. They'll help with selecting courses, getting engaged in campus and academic culture and finding learning experiences outside of the classroom.
And of course, you can always reach out to our student Peer Advisors at sciencesuccess@oregonstate.edu with questions, as well! Our Peer Advisor team is friendly, helpful and can share their first-hand knowledge of the Oregon State experience.
With a microbiology degree from OSU, you’ll be able to embark on a number of career paths.
Here are just several examples of career pathways our microbiology alumni have followed:
Catherine Sterrett has always been called to medicine, but when she found herself as a patient, compassion became her greatest motivation. Now a graduating senior, she looks forward to where her career will take her.
College of Science Ph.D. student Kelly Shannon has been selected as Oregon’s young ambassador for the American Society for Microbiology. With only one candidate chosen for each state, he has joined the ranks of distinctly remarkable up-and-coming microbiologists.
Oregon State's College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) made all the difference in engaging microbiology major Bruno Salas Garcia in his college experience. A first-generation student, he is on track to dental school and plans to serve rural communities similar to where he grew up.
Lice: creepy, crawly, but to a young Amelia Noall, fascinating. “There was an outbreak at my school, and of course I got it. But I started looking at the bugs through my microscope and thinking, ‘Wow, these are so interesting!’” she recalled. As she followed her curiosity, picking leaves from the ground and examining their hidden structures through the microscope lens, she unknowingly paved the way toward her time as a microbiology major — and now senior — at Oregon State.
Kendra Krebs's interest in science started when she worked as a hair stylist in a salon. Now, this microbiology senior has her sights set on medical school.