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Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

SIU Microbiology student taking a sample in lab.

Our program focuses on math and science, preparing students for careers in various fields such as microbiology research, medicine, agriculture, and emerging technologies like bioremediation and synthetic biology. Completing the program provides significant research experience, a chemistry minor, and training in modern microbiological research alongside award-winning faculty in well-equipped labs.

We emphasize practical research, with achievements including awards from NASA and the Musk Foundation, and grants from NIH, USDA, Department of Interior, NOAA, and DOE. It also responded swiftly to Illinois' testing needs during the pandemic.

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Degree Requirements

The Microbiology degree program is accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
  • Microbiology Major Requirements: 63 credit hours
  • Electives: 12 credit hours
  • Additional Biological Sciences Requirements: 63 credit hours

Compass IconCheck out the undergraduate Curricular Guide, which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View all related undergraduate courses.

SIU Microbiology Student working on microscope

Minor

As our approach to Microbiology is interdisciplinary, we offer a minor in microbiology for those whose major interest may be in another discipline, most frequently chemistry or biological sciences.

Students completing this minor are positioned for jobs in pharmaceutical, biotech, and related industries, entry into professional, medical, and dental schools, and for admission to graduate programs in microbiology and other areas of molecular biology.

Undergraduate Research:

At SIU Carbondale, pursuit of your research career begins on day one, led by research-active faculty and focused on grant-funded or other research projects. These research opportunities provide invaluable internship-like experiences.

Juniors and seniors in microbiology may also enroll in Undergraduate Research Participation (MICR 490) to gain experience in the research setting of a faculty member’s laboratory, while earning credit hours towards their degree completion. Opportunities for specialized training in microbial biochemistry, genetics, microbiome symbiosis, ecology and diversity, as well as in immunology, pathogenesis, molecular biology, biotechnology, and synthetic biology are available.

Our active commitment to discovery, scholarly inquiry, and creative achievement are central to the mission of SIU Carbondale and reflected in our modern research laboratories equipped for P2 physical containment, anaerobic culturing, large scale fermentation, cryosectioning, flow cytometry, fluorescent and confocal microscopy, and next generation sequencing, and supporting facilities like SIU’s IMAGE, Fermentation Science, and Laboratory Animal Program.

Additional support and opportunities can be found through the SIU’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

Student Organization

Our community is active: our Microbiology Student Organization, or “Micro Club,” is a registered Student Organization (RSO) open to all students, but primarily composed of microbiology undergraduate majors and majors in other biological sciences. It is governed by member elected officers and is advised by faculty.

Activities of the MSO include special faculty lectures, small group study sessions, tutoring opportunities, and visits to companies in the microbiology business. Trips in the past few years have included visits to Abbot Laboratories, Monsanto Company, and Anheuser-Busch breweries. MSO members sponsor a departmental picnic in the spring and often work in departmental laboratories to gain research experience.

Careers

The bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for microbiologists was $79,260 in May 2021. Employment of microbiologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

Graduates with an undergraduate degree in microbiology degree can expect to find employment in academic, industrial, biotech, pharmaceutical and government sectors in roles as biomedical scientists, laboratory techs, pharmacists, science writers, microbiologists at breweries and distilleries, working for employers like Bayer, Pfizer, Abbot Laboratories, Eli Lilly, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Those pursuing advanced degrees will find our undergraduate program is excellent preparation for medical, dental, or other medically related fields as well as research focused graduate programs.

Scholarships:

The Microbiology program offers several scholarships for outstanding undergraduate students. They include:

  • The Maurice Ogur Memorial Prize
  • The Microbiology Alumni Scholarship
  • The Student Leadership Award
  • The Faculty Scholarship in Microbiology
  • REACH
  • McNair Scholars programs 
SIU Microbiology student examines sample on computer

Contact Information

Kelly Bender
Program Director
Life Science II 106
1125 Lincoln Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-2868
bender@micro.siu.edu

Yvonne Gramenz
Academic Advisor
Neckers 217 K
1145 Lincoln D
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-3080
yvonne12@siu.edu