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
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.
WHERE OUR RECENT GRADUATES HAVE GONE
KEY
- 41-100%
- 21-40%
- 11-20%
- 0-10%
RECENT EMPLOYERS
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Microbiology Technician II
Bausch + Lomb
-
Microbiologist
Sealed Air
-
Lab Technician
IEH
-
Laboratory Assistant
South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
-
Research Associate
Bayer
RECENT POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
-
M.D.
Medical University of South Carolina
-
M.S. Health Systems Administration
Georgetown University
-
M.S. Packaging
Michigan State University
-
D.M.D.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
-
M.D.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
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Ph.D. Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis
Emory University
-
J.D.
Berkeley Law
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
ScienceInfo@clemson.edu