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How to Become a Microbiologist: Essential Skills, Courses, and Career Guide

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How to Become a Microbiologist

Introduction

Microbiology courses examine microorganisms and their effects on the environment. The study of unicellular, multicellular, and acellular microbes, as well as their influence and contribution to the environment, is known as microbiology. Medicine, clinical research, agriculture, nanotechnology, chemical technology, diary, and other disciplines are included. Microbiology is the study of how microorganisms interact with their surroundings and their role as necessary components of the ecosystem.

Students can pursue further education in microbiology courses such as BSc Microbiology and MSc Microbiology and MSc Applied Microbiology at the graduate level and postgraduate level, respectively. A Microbiologist’s starting pay in India is between INR 15,000 and 25,000 per month. When a person starts working for a respected company and has more than 5-10 years of experience, he or she may expect a pay raise.

Candidates with a graduate degree in microbiology may be able to find work in a variety of different roles. Aspirants should also be able to comprehend the importance of food security and how microorganisms impact the food production process. This research should be pursued by those who are both passionate and ethical.

Skills Required

Eligibility and Courses

Stream

Graduation

Post-graduation

Ph.D.

To begin, candidates must have finished and passed a recognized class 12 examination.

Candidates must now have a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, such as a B.Sc.

Candidates might also pursue a postgraduate degree to get further expertise in the subject.

Candidates can pursue a Ph.D. in Microbiology if they want.

The candidate should try to maintain at least 50-60% to get admission into the college.

Individuals should attempt to keep a strong GPA to get into a good PG college or placement.

To be admitted into a good Ph.D. college or placement, the individual must maintain a high GPA.

For a successful placement, the candidate should attempt to keep a decent GPA.

In 12th grade, the aspirant should study science or biology.

They can enroll in B.Sc. Microbiology/B.Sc. in Industrial Microbiology courses. After that, they can apply for a postgraduate degree.

They can study courses like M.Sc. in Microbiology/M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology.

They can study Ph.D. in Microbiology.

Popular Microbiology courses in India-

Undergraduate course

Postgraduate course

Ph.D.

B.Sc./ B.Sc. (Hons.) in Microbiology

M.Sc. in Microbiology

Ph.D. in Microbiology

B.Sc. in Industrial Microbiology

Post Graduate Diploma in Microbiology

B.Sc. in Applied Microbiology

M.Sc. in  Applied Microbiology

Course Highlights-B.Sc. in Microbiology-

Course Name

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Duration

3 years

Examination Type

Semester system

Minimum Qualification

Completed class 12th with Science or biology

Admission process

Entrance or merit-based

M.Sc. in Microbiology-

Course Name

Master of Science in Microbiology

Degree Level

Postgraduate

Duration

2 years

Minimum Qualification

B.Sc. in Microbiology

Examination Type

Semester system

Admission process

Entrance or merit-based

Ph.D. in Microbiology-

Course Name

Ph.D. in Microbiology

Degree Level

Doctorate

Duration

3 Years

Minimum Qualification

Post-graduation in Microbiology

Examination Type

Semester System

Admission process

Based on shortlisted candidates’ performance in the round of interviews.

Top Colleges

College name

Location

Vellore Institute of Technology 

Vellore

Fergusson College

Pune

Delhi University (DU)

Delhi

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Banaras

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

Aligarh

Pune University

Pune

Lovely Professional University (LPU)

Jalandhar

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

Delhi

Birla Institute of Technology and Science

Pilani

St. Xavier’s College

Mumbai

Internships for Microbiologists-

Internships with potential companies can also help students obtain useful laboratory experience. Internships are beneficial because they allow students to get experience in the sectors and institutes in which they are interested. Internships assist you in establishing a foundation for your future career. As a result, it’s critical to select internships that are relevant to your interests.

Microbiology internships provide valuable experience and expertise. Internships are advantageous since they provide students with knowledge of the businesses and organizations in which they are interested. Companies are far more likely to recruit someone who has internships and experience than someone who has a generic CV and no experience.

Entrance Exams

Exam name

Conducting Body

Level of Exam

Mode

LPU NEST (Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test)

Lovely Professional University

University Level Exam

Online

AMUEEE (Aligarh Muslim University Engineering Entrance Examination)

Aligarh Muslim University

University Level Exam

Offline

BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)

BITS Pilani

National Level Exam

Computer-based Test

IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, GGSIPU

University Level Exam

Offline

BHU PET ( Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance  Test)

Banaras Hindu University

University-Level

Offline (Pen and Paper-based)

DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test)

National Testing Agency (NTA)

National Level

Computer-Based Mode

JNUEE (Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Exam)

National Testing Agency

University-Level

Online

Work Description

Microbiologists are biological scientists that study microorganisms to learn how they impact our lives and how we may use them to our advantage. They carry out research, record their results, create reports and research articles, and oversee laboratory personnel. They execute the following things regularly. –

Jobs Profiles

Job name

Job description

Industrial Microbiologists

An industrial microbiologist is responsible for all aspects of industrial production, including the application of scientific and technical concepts to microorganisms’ material processing.

Bacteriologist

They research a variety of microorganisms that are always changing and developing. Their primary responsibility is to conduct laboratory research for the government or pharmaceutical corporations.

Environmental Microbiologists

An environmental microbiologist studies the interactions of microbes in the environment. They investigate how microorganisms may be used to clean up biomedical waste and aid agricultural development. Microorganisms that live in artificial environments, such as bioreactors, are the focus of their research.

Virologist

They research different viruses’ growth, development, structure, and features. They isolate and cultivate important viruses in a standard inhibitory medium with environmental variables such as aeration, moisture, temperature, and feeding under control.

Cell Biologists

Cell biologists investigate and analyze the characteristics, relationships, and structure of a cell’s molecules to derive basic principles or to learn about the consequences of cell activity on a specific organism.

Parasitologist

A parasitologist isolates parasite cultures and keeps them alive. Parasite behavior, development, and structure are investigated to understand their interaction with people.

Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemical processes involved in all of life’s basic activities and deal with the chemical makeup of living creatures. They offer us much of the basic information on issues like genetics and inheritance through study and experiments.

Mycologist

They research fungus, which are self-contained organisms that are related to mammals, algae, plants, and bacteria. They research the operations of toxic, edible, and parasitic fungi’s organism-based activities to identify organisms that are useful in medicine, industry, and agriculture.

Clinical Microbiologist

Microorganisms that cause infections are studied by clinical microbiologists. They examine clinical laboratory tests performed on samples. When they study human health, they are known as clinical scientists.

Research Assistant

They are involved in research including microbes, illness causes, disease remedies, and disease therapy, among other things. They help higher-level researchers in a variety of scientific tasks.

Employment sectors for Microbiologists-

Microbiologists are needed in a wide range of scientific fields. A certified microbiologist can work in the following businesses or sectors:

  1. Agriculture Department 
  2. Chemical Industries 
  3. Environmental Agencies 
  4. Private hospitals 
  5. Teaching
  6. Beverage industry 
  7. Food Industry 
  8. Research organizations 
  9. Laboratories 
  10. Universities 
  11. Pharmaceutical industries

Cons

FAQs

Q1: What is the focus of microbiology courses?

A1: Microbiology courses focus on the study of unicellular, multicellular, and acellular microbes, and their influence and contribution to the environment.

Q2: What are the educational opportunities in microbiology?

A2: Students can pursue BSc Microbiology, MSc Microbiology, and MSc Applied Microbiology at the graduate and postgraduate levels.

Q3: What skills are required for a career in microbiology?

A3: Key skills include technical skills, analytical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving, IT skills, data analysis, and communication skills.

Q4: What are the eligibility criteria and courses in microbiology?

A4: Candidates must have finished and passed a recognized class 12 examination. They can then enroll in B.Sc. Microbiology/B.Sc. in Industrial Microbiology courses, followed by postgraduate degrees.

Q5: What job profiles are available for microbiologists?

A5: Job profiles include Industrial Microbiologists, Bacteriologist, Environmental Microbiologists, Virologist, Cell Biologists, Parasitologist, Biochemist, Mycologist, Clinical Microbiologist, and Research Assistant.

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