Career Details :: Microbiologists
Description
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks
- Studies growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms.
- Conducts chemical analyses of substances, such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.
- Prepares technical reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes.
- Researches use of bacteria and microorganisms to develop vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, grain alcohol, sugars, and polymers.
- Isolates and makes cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Examines physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify microorganisms.
- Observes action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.
- Studies growth structure and development of viruses and rickettsiae.
Related Careers
- Biochemists
- Biologists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Food Science Technicians
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Processing Information
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Indoors
- Frustrating Circumstances
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Bio-Organic Chemistry |  [ add ] |
| Biochemical Pharmacology | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry/Biophysics | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry/Cell Biology | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry/Microbiology/Molecular Biology | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry/Molecular Biology | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Cell Biology | [ add ] |
| Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics | [ add ] |
| Biological Sciences/Molecular Biology/Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Biology/Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Biology/Cellular/Molecular | [ add ] |
| Cell Biology | [ add ] |
| Cell Biology/Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Cell/Developmental Biology | [ add ] |
| Cell/Molecular Biology | [ add ] |
| Cellular Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Cellular/Integrative Biology | [ add ] |
| Industrial Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Infectious Diseases/Microbiology | [ add ] |
| Medical Biology | [ add ] |
| Medical Microbiology | [ add ] |
| Microbiology | [ add ] |
| Microbiology/Bacteriology | [ add ] |
| Microbiology/Biotechnology | [ add ] |
| Microbiology/Immunology | [ add ] |
| Molecular Biology/Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Molecular Biophysics/Biochemistry | [ add ] |
| Molecular Virology/Microbiology | [ add ] |
| Molecular/Cell Biology | [ add ] |
| Molecular/Cellular/Developmental Biology | [ add ] |
| Virology | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.