Microbiology (B.S.)

ABOUT

Influenza! Plague! Ebola! You've seen them in the movies and on TV - microbes are everywhere. But did you also know that microbes helped in the Gulf oil spill? That one day your car may run on gas produced by microbes? That fungi produces antibiotics that may one day save your life? Microbiology majors take a closer look at all these issues and more. Are you interested in infectious disease? At Clemson, you can pursue a general microbiology degree or you can choose to do a major concentration in biomedicine. If you choose to follow the general microbiology curriculum, you'll take one class in each of these three areas - environmental, food and industrial microbiology. Microbiologists seek to describe and characterize organisms in structure, function and processes of reproduction, growth and death at cellular and molecular levels. They are also interested in the ecology of microbes and the interaction with higher-level organisms. 

FAST FACTS

  • Clemson is home to a world-class, advanced light imaging facility that supports education and research.
  • Undergraduate research opportunities are available in medicine, biofuels, bioremediation and more.
  • Our graduates go on to medical, dental and pharmacy school as well as graduate school for their Ph.D.
  • We offer a concentration in biomedicine, which is great for students planning to pursue a career in the medical field.

WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

With a wide choice of electives, the microbiology curriculum allows you the flexibility to take courses for a minor in a different discipline, which will help you prepare for a career in your specific interest area. Just as important, your course load allows ample time for you to conduct research and pursue internship opportunities. You can choose to pursue a general microbiology degree or you can choose to do a major concentration in biomedicine.

Biomedicine Concentration
Suited for students planning postgraduate studies in medicine, this concentration requires courses in genetics, cell biology, immunology, virology, and carcinogenesis and aging. In addition, you'll be required to take additional biomedical courses that you'll choose from a predetermined list.

Popular Minors

  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Food Science
  • Genetics
  • Legal Studies
  • Modern Languages
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Biology

EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Outside the classroom, microbiology majors participate in various clubs, conduct independent research projects, gain experience in internship positions, and find time to study abroad.

You'll have a chance to conduct research through a wide offering of Creative Inquiry teams. These student teams take on research under the guidance of faculty mentors and often present their findings at conferences or in publications.
Each year a number of students travel to Costa Rica to work under the supervision of physicians and dentists. Students gain hands-on medical and/or dental experience and learn about tropical diseases as well as the country's health care system.
The Clemson Light Imaging Facility is a state-of-the-art light-imaging suite that houses advanced light microscopes equipment from Leica, Nikon and Zeiss.
Clemson's Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta serves students whose intent is to continue on to various health careers. This group serves to prepare and expose interested students to medicine, dentistry and other health care disciplines.

AFTER GRADUATION

Your college decision isn't really about the next four years. We get it. It's about what doors are opened by your degree and whether those opportunities are what you had envisioned for yourself. Here's a snapshot of what life after graduation looks like for some of our most recent students.

RECENT EMPLOYERS

  • Associate Scientist

    Pfizer

  • Technical Associate

    Milliken & Company

  • Laboratory Assistant

    BASF

  • Microbiologist

    S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control

  • Environmental Microbiologist

    Bausch & Lomb

  • Lab Assistant

    LabCorp

  • Environmental Maintenance Technician

    Alcami Corporation

RECENT POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

  • Ph.D. Neuroscience

    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

  • Master of Public Health

    University of Michigan

  • Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences

    Florida State University

  • Pharm.D.

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • J.D.

    University of South Carolina

  • Ph.D. Microbiology and Cellular Sciences

    University of Florida

  • MD

    Medical University of South Carolina

  • Ph.D. Microbiology and Immunology

    Baylor College of Medicine

COMMON CAREER AREAS

    • Research and Development
    • Basic and Applied
    • Quality Control
    • Administration
    • Grant Writing
    • Health Care
    • Medicine
    • Dentistry
    • Optometry
    • Podiatry
    • Pharmacy
    • Veterinary Medicine
    • Allied Health
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Physical Therapy
    • Medical Technology
    • Nuclear Medicine
    • Organismal Biology
    • Botany and Plant Sciences
    • Zoology, Ecology and Wildlife
    • Marine and Aquatic
    • Systematic and Taxonomy
    • Entomology
    • Genetics
    • Education
    • Formal Classroom Teaching
    • Informal Teaching and Outreach

Used with permission from the University of Tennessee.

FIND OUT MORE

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact. If you’d also like to receive general University information from Clemson’s admissions office, please follow the link to the right and sign up to join our mailing list.

Sharetta Bufford

Recruiter
864-656-3296
Email

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