Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
Focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. Covers microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 9 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Microbiology, General
- Focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. Covers microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
- Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- Focuses on the scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that are significant factors in causing or facilitating human disease. Covers the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases, bacterial genetics and physiology, bacterial anatomy and structure, antigens, bacterial reproduction, bacterial adhesion, phagocytes, and the identification of new or mutated bacteria and bacterial agents.
- Virology
- Focuses on the scientific study of subcellular pieces of genetic material, called viruses, that inhabit living cells in parasitical relationships and their role in disease. Covers virus taxonomy and systematics, viral structures, viral genetics, prions, virus/host cell interaction, viral pathogenesis, and applications to specific topics such as cancer biology.
- Parasitology
- Focuses on the scientific study of biological organisms living in ecologically exploitative and competitive relationships with host organisms, and the role of parasites in causing injury, disease, and environmental damage. Covers vector biology, immunoparasitology, medical parasitology, molecular biology of parasitical associations, veterinary and comparative parasitology, chemotherapeutics, and ecological and systematic parasitology.
- Mycology
- Focuses on the scientific study of fungi, lichenous plants, eukaryotic microorganisms, myxomycetes, and plasmodiophorales and their relationship to diseases in higher plants, animals, and human beings as well as to pharmacologically useful products. Covers cell and molecular biology; histopathology; fungal growth and behavior; environmental mycology; antifungal sensitivity; mycoses; pathogens and pathogenesis; pharmacological properties; and computer and laboratory research methods.
- Immunology
- Focuses on scientific study of the biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of disease, host-pathogen interactions, and host response to disease. Covers antigen and antibody structure and function, effector mechanisms, receptors, histocompatibility, host-pathogen recognition, disease modeling, autoimmune systems, antibody formation, cytotoxic responses, regulation of immune response, virulence determinants, intercellular signaling, immunosuppression, immunotherapy, immunogenetics, disease markers, transplantation, antibody humanization, and microbial pathogenesis.
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them. Covers microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, pathogenic bacteriology, disease mechanisms, immunology, immunogenetics, autoimmunity, and bioinformatics.
- Infectious Disease and Global Health
- Focuses on the biological, social, and behavioral factors contributing to the cause and spread of infectious diseases. Covers research design and evaluation, infectious disease epidemiology, international health policy and management, microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, disease mechanisms, antimicrobial resistance, immunology, and bioterrorism.
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other
- The microbiological sciences and immunology not listed above.
Also called Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.2%
- Job openings a year
- 9,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastMedical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Median pay
- $103,410
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.6%
- Job openings a year
- 10,500
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastMedical and Health Services Managers
- Median pay
- $123,860
- Hiring change through 2035
- 24.2%
- Job openings a year
- 62,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $84,620
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.3%
- Job openings a year
- 4,700
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyBiological Scientists, All Other
- Median pay
- $98,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.7%
- Job openings a year
- 4,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Technicians
- Median pay
- $57,510
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 9,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $107,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- 17.9%
- Job openings a year
- 24,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingMicrobiologists
- Median pay
- $87,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.2%
- Job openings a year
- 1,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFood Science Technicians
- Median pay
- $52,130
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.8%
- Job openings a year
- 3,000
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career Growing fastEpidemiologists
- Median pay
- $87,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 18.7%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $32,924 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
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Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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