General Microbiology
Covers the fundamental principles of microbiology, including microbial cell structure, function, and genetics.
Difficulty
Demanding
Average difficultyBased on 3 students.View review makeupEarly data
3.7/ 5
Share of students at each rating
Class-year breakdown needs more responses.It appears after at least two class years have 5 difficulty ratings each.
What makes this major demanding?
Worth it?
100% would recommend it
No specific student comments are available yet.
Students’ starting certainty
No starting-certainty answers have been shared yet.
No written experiences from students who were very certain are available yet.
Compare majors
Compare with Microbiology
Suggested instead
Alternatives named by students who wouldn’t recommend Microbiology.
No student-suggested alternatives with enough ratings to compare yet.
Student paths
How students switch into and out of Microbiology
Switched out ofMicrobiology
Went to
Share of leaversStudents who left are counted from other majors’ reviews, so they aren’t among these respondents.
Students haven’t shared enough career or study plans yet.
What you will study and do
Curriculum and careers
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Students in this major learn about microbial physiology, genetics, ecology, and the roles these organisms play in health, disease, and the environment.
Core course themes
Microbial Genetics
Focuses on the genetic mechanisms in microorganisms, including gene expression and regulation.
Immunology
Explores the immune system and its interaction with microorganisms, including immune responses and disease prevention.
Pathogenic Microbiology
Studies microorganisms that cause diseases in humans and animals, emphasizing disease mechanisms and control.
Environmental Microbiology
Examines the role of microorganisms in natural and engineered environments, including bioremediation and nutrient cycling.
Virology
Investigates viruses and their biology, including mechanisms of infection and replication.
Common roles
- Microbiologist
- Research Scientist
- Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Biotechnology Technician
- Quality Control Analyst
Why salary figures are not shownSalary data appears only when its source, geography, occupation mapping, and date can be verified.
Microbiology by school
Scores account for sample sizeCommunity
Big questions in Microbiology
Go beyond ratings and ask students about the decisions, tradeoffs, and experiences that matter to you.
Loading community questions…
Student reviews
Courses & teachingPositive
The MIMG major at UCLA goes into deeper detail about microbiology and its relation to immunology and molecular genetics, which are increasingly relevant topics and subjects in industry and research.
Enjoyment & fitPositive
It’s a very specific field and it’s good for if this is the niche you want to study. A lot of overlap with general bio and chemistry. Very fascinating that it’s at the microscopic level.
Enjoyment & fitPositive
I like researching bacteria and I think the idea of learning more about how bacteria and microorganisms work is really interesting
Make the next decision
Compare the evidence—or improve it.
Put Microbiology beside another major, or share the experience future students need.