Undergraduate Degree Program

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, or microbes. This includes:

• Bacteria
• Archaea
• Viruses
• Fungi
• and other microscopic eukaryotes such as algae and protozoa

Well-known microbes include Escherichia coli, a well-studied laboratory bacterium that can cause disease, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast that makes bread and beer.

Microorganisms are the oldest life forms on earth and impact our lives directly every day. They are critical for the well-being of the planet. Microbiologists study all microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The field of Microbiology has become even more important in recent years, as microbes are involved in current topics such as biofuels and bioenergy, infectious disease and epidemics, bioterrorism, biotechnology, food safety, and environmental biology.

The UW-Madison Microbiology program is designed to prepare students for modern research in microbiology, with a heavy emphasis on practical laboratory experience. You will learn cellular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and physiology of microbes. You will gain an appreciation for current issues in microbiology and biology, learn to critically evaluate scientific data, engage in problem-solving and active approaches to learning, learn to plan and carry out laboratory experiments, gain expertise in common laboratory techniques, learn to communicate scientific information, and develop writing skills.

A degree in microbiology is excellent preparation for many careers, including:

• medical, dental, veterinary and pharmaceutical careers
• advanced biology degrees in any area of biology
• public health
• research in government, private or academic labs
• environmental management
• education
• biotechnology
• forensics
• industrial quality control and testing
• technical service and sales
• science writing

• Microbe World
• American Society for Microbiology
• Microbe Magazine
• Microbial Sciences at UW

Admissions and Requirements

You can declare the Microbiology major at any time in your undergraduate career. You should initially meet with the Student Services Coordinator (Katy France, kfrance@bact.wisc.edu) to discuss the major, the science, and to make a tentative 'road map' for the remainder of your time here at UW-Madison. Please use the WiscCal Scheduling Assistant to schedule an advising appointment with Katy France.
The department encourages you to schedule that meeting as early as possible, for a couple important reasons. Once declared, you will receive emails from the Student Services Coordinator containing information on course offerings, academic announcements, job postings, career preparation activities / events, graduate and professional school preparation information, and more. Additionally, when you become a Microbiology major, you will be assigned an advisor from the department. You should plan to meet with your advisor each semester.

The Microbiology major is offered through both the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Letters and Science. The requirements for the major itself are the same in either college. What differs between the colleges are the general education requirements. Please contact the Student Services Coordinator for a comparison or an explanation of differences between the two colleges.

• Microbiology section of Undergraduate Catalog (CALS / L&S)
• Microbiology Curriculum Sheets (CALS / L&S)
• Microbiology Four Year Plan
• CALS Honors Program
• L & S Honors Program

Activities and Opportunities

Visit our undergraduate research opportunities page to find out more about research opportunities in the department and on campus. You can also do research elsewhere. Opportunities for summer undergraduate research programs elsewhere include the NSF REU Program and the NIH Student Programs.

Undergraduates interested in microbiology activities can participate in the Microbiology Club. Please email Katy France at kfrance@bact.wisc.edu for more information.

• Jack L. Pate Undergraduate Travel Award
• William B. Sarles Scholarships
• William Harmon Wright Scholarship
• Ronald Hinsdill Microbiology High Achievement Award
• Karl Leemkuil Memorial Award
• Philipp and Vera Gerhardt Undergraduate Excellence Award

• Hilldale Undergraduate Research Fellowships
• Holstrom Environmental Fellowships
• University Bookstore Academic Excellence Awards
• Undergraduate Research Scholars
• McNair Scholars
• Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships
• Ruth Bieier Scholarship in the Natural Sciences
• Wisconsin Guide to Undergraduate Scholarships

• ASM Awards
• UNCF-Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards

UW-Madison Microbiology Club

We welcome students from any major to join the Microbiology Club. Our meetings feature talks by UW-Madison researchers in microbiology, biotechnology, and other biological sciences, career panels, and the opportunity to interact with other students and faculty members who share your interests. We offer weekly tutoring for students in introductory microbiology courses; host social events where students have a chance to meet visiting scientists, and tour local companies that use microbiology. Club members organize fundraisers such as a T-shirt sale and sponsor service activities.

2011 marks the 25th anniversary of our affiliation with the American Society for Microbiology as a Student Chapter.

For more information about the Microbiology Club, send an email to Katy France at kfrance@bact.wisc.edu.

• Karen Wassarman, Department of Bacteriology