Original PowerPoint Created By: Dr. Frank Flanders & Asha Wise Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office - April 2006Modified By: Dr. Frank Flanders & Juliane Monko CTAE Resource Network - 2010

Microbiology

• The branch of biology that studies microorganisms and their effects on humans.

What is Microbiology?

• Microorganisms (microbes) are very small unicellular and multi-cellular life forms. They include algae, bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses (the smallest microbes).

Microorganisms

Microbiologist

• Microbiologists investigate the growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, or fungi.

• They can do everything from researching and teaching to developing new vaccines.

• Scientists are still discovering ways in which microbes, and the functions that they perform, affect our lives.

• We’ve even found ways to use microbes to our advantage, as with the process of bioremediation, which uses specific bacteria to consume and metabolize waste, such as in landfills and oil spills.

• The job of a microbiologist, no matter what specific field they concentrate on, usually consists of three things:

• Research• Development• Prevention

Microbiologist

• Medicine• Agriculture• Military• Food Science• Teaching • Veterinary Science

• Government• Hospitals • Private Companies• Corporations• Research Companies• Military• Schools

Examples of Who Employs Microbiologists

Examples of Where Microbiologists Work

• Independent research• Testing• Working on specific projects• Quality control monitoring• Genetic engineering• Writing grant proposals for

research funding• Presenting the results of an

experiment, either in writing or speaking

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Be able to work both independently and within a team• Express a curiosity and interest in science• Have effective communication skills, both oral and

written• Have a good memory• Be observant• Pay close attention to detail • Have patience when working on long projects• Have tenacity to get the job completed

Qualities & Skills Needed

• Median annual earnings of microbiologists is about $60,000 to $80,000

• Highest 10% earned more than $110,000

Salary

• Good vision for viewing in a microscope

• Excellent hand-eye coordination for handling lab equipment

• Physical stamina for collecting samples in nature

• Strong immune system, if working with dangerous microbes

Physical Requirements

• A Ph.D. is usually necessary for corporate research, industrial research, and college teaching, and for advancement to administrative positions.

• A master’s degree is sufficient for jobs in basic research, applied research or product development, management, or inspection.

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years) is adequate for non-research jobs.

• Many with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools.

Education

• People in the microbiology field can use microbes to develop solutions to a human health or agricultural problem.

• They can also focus on finding a solution to a microbe that causes disease.

Looking To the Future