Microbiological Sciences

Welcome to Microbiological Sciences

Microbiology is a fundamental biological science concerned with the study of microbes, which are microscopic organisms such as bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Despite being unseen, microbes are critical to all life on earth. As microbiologists, we seek to harness the awesome power of microbes to enhance humanity while controlling their negative impacts as agents of disease, spoilage, and decomposition.

Microbiology covers a wide spectrum of specialized interest areas in human and animal health; food, energy, and water security; the environment; and biotechnology. Technological innovations have made microbiology one of the fastest moving and important scientific disciplines in the 21st century, impacting virtually all other scientific disciplines. Since 1910, approximately one-third of the Nobel Prizes in medicine and physiology have been awarded to microbiologists.

Our faculty offer expertise in nearly all areas of microbiological study, and take part in active research programs in their fields. We pride ourselves on a well-rounded faculty, who engage routinely in internal and external collaborations at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as with private industry. In addition, our faculty contribute regularly to a rich and innovative body of peer-reviewed research, publishing in internationally renowned journals and speaking at conferences around the world. They also provide fulsome mentoring experiences at all levels of study, with opportunities for students to take part in cutting-edge research in nationally-funded laboratories.

We empower our students to discover and communicate microbiological solutions to local, national, and global challenges.

Our students find careers in a range of industries, including health sciences, biomedical industries, biotechnology, agricultural biosystems, food industries, pharmaceutical industries, and government agencies. The relevance of microbiology to many fields only continues to grow, and graduates with a background in microbiology can look forward to using their knowledge in employment as teachers, professors, public health professionals, researchers, veterinarians, and many other positions. Within each of these realms, numerous career options exist for students with a microbiology degree.

We are excited to have you visit us and see for yourself all the opportunities at NDSU.

John McEvoy
Chair, Microbiological Sciences