Microbiology has generated a lot of buzz from the past few years leading to a rush in the number of students who are looking to pursue career in this field.
“Microbiology is the study of micro-organisms.”
What are Microorganisms?
Microorganisms are those organisms which are very small can’t be seen with the naked eyes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Is simple words, microbiology is a broad discipline of biology which works with the function, structure, uses, and the existence of the microscopic organism.
You can also see the example of bacteria in “Yogurt”. Bacterial cell helps the milk to change into yogurt using fermentation process.
Microbiology overlaps various other degree areas of biology like molecular biology, genetics & immunology.
The scope of Microbiology is huge because of the involvement of microbiology in various fields such as Pharmacy, Medicine, clinical research, agriculture, dairy industry, water industry, nanotechnology & chemical technology.
Who are Microbiologists?
A person who specializes in this field is called as “Microbiologists”.
Microbiologists are the scientists, those study organisms & infectious agents which cannot be seen with the unprotected eye.
They study the interactions of microorganisms with other organisms & humans, which exist & affect our lives.
The role of Microbiologists is to ensure our food is safe or not, developing green technologies, treating and preventing disease or tracking the role of microbes in the climate change.
Microbiology deals with microbes whose adaptability allows them to be used in fields as diverse as the development of life-saving medicines, production of biofuels, clean-up of pollutants, and production and processing of food and beverages.
Microbiologists work in many different job areas, in a variety of different job roles. Microbiologists can make careers in research and non-research fields.
How did it all begin?
A famous German biologist “Louis Pasteur” is one of the founders of microbiology. He performed various tests to discover why wine and dairy products become sour.
Not sure what to do after 12th?
Learn About – Top Courses and Career Options in 2025
Microbiology Courses
Thinking about to pursue courses in this field?
Many bachelors, masters and Ph.D. courses are available to pursue in this field. Students can start the courses from bachelor level to doctoral courses. Here are some most sought courses in this field:
Bachelor Courses
Below is the list of courses that one can pursue in the field of microbiology. The duration of these courses is three years.
- Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Microbiology
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Microbiology
- Bachelor of Science in Food Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Clinical Microbiology
Master Courses
The master courses in this field are of two years:
- Master of Science in Microbiology
- Master of Science in Applied Microbiology
- Master of Science in Medical Microbiology
- Master of Science in Microbial Genetics and Bioinformatics
Specializations in Microbiology
- Agricultural Microbiology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Evolutionary Microbiology
- Nano Microbiology
- Cellular Microbiology
- Soil Microbiology
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Generation Microbiology
- Microbial
- Water Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Microbial Genetics
- Environmental Microbiology
Also Check – Courses After 12th Science
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for pursuing a Microbiology courses, candidates have to meet the eligibility criteria as given below:
For UG Courses
- Candidates should have completed 10+2 with Biology as a compulsory subject.
- The candidates should have scored atleast 50%–60% aggregate marks in 12th standard (varies with university).
For PG Courses
- A Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related life sciences.
- A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in bachelor’s courses.
Admission Process
The admission process in UG courses is done on the basis of entrance exams conducted at, national, state or university level.
CUET UG is one such popular entrance exam, for admission in the courses offered by the participating central universites, state universities and private universities.
After qualifying the entrance exam, Candidates can participate in the counselling process.
For admission to PG courses, it is necessary to hold a bachelors degree (B.Sc.) in the related field. Some universities organize their own entrance exams for screening candidates for admissions.
Below is the list of popular entrance exams:
Top Colleges in India
Here is a list of best colleges to pursue Microbiology courses are:
- Fergusson College, Pune
- St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
- Madras Christian College, Chennai
- Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Presidency College, Chennai
- Ramjas College, Delhi University
- Loyola College, Chennai
- Miranda House, Delhi University
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
- St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata
- Hansraj College, Delhi University
- Fergusson College, Pune
- Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
Skills Required for a Microbiologist:
- Clear and logical thinking
- Good problem-solving skills
- Team leadership ability
- Good writing and communication skills
- Excellent level of accuracy
- Ability to work with statistics and relevant computer packages.
Career Scope & Job Opportunities
“Job outlook for Microbiologist is positive.”
At present, the scientific, analytical and problem-solving skills developed by microbiology graduates are high in demand by employers.
There are various job options available to you after completing a degree in Microbiology or related discipline.
Candidates can work in both governments as well as in private sectors. Microbiologists are mostly demanded in the UK, US, France, Australia, and Germany.
With a degree in microbiology, you can get opportunities in various fields like healthcare organizations, forensic science laboratories, environmental organizations, higher education institutions, food and drink, publicly funded research organizations, pharmaceuticals and many other industries.
In the medicine and healthcare field, your work will be usually associated with prevention & treatment of illnesses linked with microbes.
Candidates can also work as a teacher/professor in universities & colleges after completing their master degree or Ph.D. in microbiology.
Job Profiles
- Research Assistant
- Food, Industrial or Environmental Microbiologists
- Quality Assurance Technologists
- Sales or Technical Representative
- Clinical and Veterinary Microbiologists
- Medical Technologists
- Biomedical Scientist
- Clinical Research Associate
- Microbiologist
- Pharmacologist
- Food Technologist
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Physician Associate
- Research Scientist (life sciences)
Employment Areas
- Pharmaceutical Industries
- Universities
- Laboratories
- Private Hospitals
- Research Organizations
- Environmental Agencies
- Food Industry
- Beverage Industry
- Chemical Industries
- Agriculture Department
Top Recruiters
Top recruiter of Microbiology graduates are:
- Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
- Biocon
- Cipla
- Serum Institute of India
- Bharat Biotech
- Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)
- Nestlé India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- National Institute of Virology (NIV)
- CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
- Amul
- Dabur
- Ranbaxy Laboratories
Salary
How much a Microbiology degree holder earns?
In India, the average salary of a Microbiologist is between INR 6 to 9 lakhs per year. The salary depends on candidates educational qualifications, experience, organization and job profile.
If you are working with a government organization or a top MNC, you will get handsome salary along with the various perks & benefits.
Professionals having 5-8 years of experience and working in a senior roles like a research scientist, R&D Manager, Project Lead in Biotech/Pharma firms can earn in the range INR 12 to 18 lakhs per year.
An experienced Microbiologist with masters or Ph.D. degree can work as a researcher or as an academician.
Books & Study Materials
Here we have listed some of the best books to study microbiology:
- Microbiology: An Introduction, 12th Edition by Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell
- Brock Biology of Microorganisms by Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko
- Foundations in Microbiology by Kathleen Park Talaro
- Garden of microbial delights by Dorion Sagan
- Jawetz Melnick & Adelbergs Medical Microbiology by Geo. Brooks, Karen C. Carroll
FAQ’s
For more information regarding career in Microbiology, feel free to ask your queries below.
Short term certificate course related to microbiology in germany?
Average starting salary of an microbiologist ??
It depends on a lot of factors, but typically it could be around INR 4-6 LPA.
For the master level at what percentage can be acceptable for this course…
60% in UG is accepted by most of the universities.
Requesting for masters program
Looking for a job in Microbiology
Gm sir pls I want to know the best school to study clinical microbiology
I am doing Bsc micro biology after completion of my course any jobs please
Is it possible that as an SLT student u can study microbiology in HN level?
I want to know how to be a pharmacologist after bsc in microbiology , I mean which entrance exam can I give for being a pharmacologist and how much salary can I get for being a pharmacologist
You can pursue M.Sc. Pharmacology, the admission in private university is done on basis of university specific entrance exam or CUET PG for central universities.
I’m a microbiologist and i already completed my masters in microbiology and worked on govt hospital for a year as Lab technician and now i’m looking for a job vaccancy can you please informe me if there is any related vaccancy for me
Im starting my studies in bsc microbiology can I continue with this or can I take another corse
Main apna BSc microbiology pura kar raha hun iske bad mujhe kya Karna chahie
Hello sir .. I have done my m.sc. microbiology how I get a job in my field . Where i could apply
Sir I am completing my msc microbiology and how can I get my job
Medical microbiology course benefits and get a job. please tell me .. Microbiology job opportunity please suggest for me …
Dear Sir
I need to take my furthur education in foreign countries after completion of my B Sc in microbiology. How can i go?
Sir, i am doing bsc in microbiology 4nd sem now is any job opportunities that where I should apply for job
Sir, i am doing bsc in microbiology 2nd sem now is any job opportunities after completion of bsc
After completion of b.sc I’m microbiology what are the jobs can be chooses and what is the salary
Now I’m doing MSc in microbiology.what can I do after completing my MSC course to get a good job except lectureship? As I don’t like lectureship I’m very confused to what to do after that.If
there are any other scope for getting a job PLZZ suggest me?
Sir plz suggest after bsc microbiology any coaching job purpose
I’m recently finished bsc microbiology any courses in job coaching plz suggest me
I am undergoing Bsc Microbiology and currently in 2nd year of course . I want to pursue PG in Virology . Pl advise Best Institute from where I can get the admission and formalities for completing the same .
Hey
Sir.. Now I’m studying B.Sc final year Microbiology…
What is the best next step to do..
Sir, can i do PhD in microbiology & genetic engineering after my Bsc hons in microbiology and Msc in genetic engineering?
Iam doing biochemistry and industrial Microsoft can i have the eligibility to do Msc forensic science
Hii I am doing bsc in microbiology can I get a good salary if I don’t do MSc and would do a job after bsc.
Sir, I have done m.sc in microbiology…how I get a job in my field , where I could apply
sir, I’m from Maharashtra I have been completed my P.G in microbiology.plzz suggest for jobs
I want to know about the job market in india after p.h.d in this field and salary and also ,”is this better than other general line courses like physics, chemistry?”
I m doing bsc in environmental science ,bt m more interested in microbiology . So i want to do my masters in micro. I want to know about job opportunities after msc in micro
What is the 1st coarse should be done after completion of 12th to purse microbiology
B.Sc with Microbiology.
Is there any sort of entrance test for this?