Microbiology BS

The BS in Microbiology is a hands-on, research-driven program that prepares you for diverse careers in health care, medicine, public health, industrial and biomedical research and beyond.

Why Study Microbiology at ACPHS?

In the BS in Microbiology program at ACPHS, you’ll explore how microscopic organisms impact human health and how we can fight back. From the first day, you’ll be in the lab, working on real-world problems alongside expert faculty in a research-intensive, hands-on environment.

Whether you’re planning to pursue medical school, enroll in graduate school, or launch a career in public health, biotech or the pharmaceutical sciences, this program equips you with the skills and experience to stand out. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art labs, personalized academic and pre-med advising, and rare research opportunities most students don’t see until grad school.

As one of the only colleges in the Northeast offering an undergraduate microbiology degree, ACPHS helps you gain specialized skills that go far beyond a typical biology major. Nearly all of our graduates go on to advanced study or secure positions in health care, pharma or biomedical research.

You’ll also have opportunities to intern or co-op with leading employers in pharmaceutical and health care, like Regeneron, Lilly, Albany Medical Center Hospital and New York State’s Wadsworth Center public-health laboratory, giving you a head start on your career even before graduation.

What is Microbiology?

Microbiology is the study of life at the microscopic level—organisms like bacteria, viruses, algae and fungi that are invisible to the naked eye but have a huge impact on our world. As a microbiologist, you’ll explore how these tiny organisms grow, behave and spread—and most importantly, how to control or harness them to benefit human health and the environment.

From discovering antibiotics to developing vaccines, microbiologists have played key roles in some of the greatest scientific and medical advancements in history. Today, they’re on the front lines of creating life-saving treatments, cleaning up pollution, producing renewable energy and ensuring the safety of our food supply.

Microbiology includes a wide range of specialties. You might study bacteria (bacteriology), viruses (virology) or the immune system (immunology). Medical microbiologists focus on disease-causing microbes and work to stop the spread of illness in humans, animals and plants.

At ACPHS, our BS in Microbiology emphasizes medical, pharmaceutical and public-health microbiology. You’ll gain experience in both basic and translational science, preparing you for high-demand roles in health care, biotech and beyond.

Microbiology Career Opportunities

Microbiologists work in research labs, industrial companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and many other settings.

Graduates of our microbiology program enter the workforce as research scientists, quality-control analysts and research technicians.

Others pursue master’s and PhD programs in a wide range of research areas, including microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and cell biology. Many go on to medical, dental or veterinary school.

Microbiology Salary and Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, microbiologists earn an average salary of $84,400 per year, with earning potential varying by industry. Federal government positions are among the highest paying, with an average salary of $112,940. Careers in research and development follow closely at $108,300, while roles in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing average $73,830.

Job opportunities are especially strong in metropolitan areas of New York and New Jersey, which have some of the highest employment levels for microbiologists in the country—making ACPHS’ location a strategic advantage for launching your career.

Program Details

Microbiology Coursework

At ACPHS, you won’t find a one-size-fits-all biology degree. Our microbiology program is designed to give you specialized training tailored to your goals—whether you’re planning for medical school, pharmaceutical research or a career in environmental health.

You’ll work closely with faculty mentors to customize your coursework and research experiences, building a program that aligns with your interests and gives you a clear edge in the job market or grad school.

Customize Your Degree with a Specialized Concentration

All microbiology students begin with a strong foundation in how infectious diseases develop and spread. From there, you’ll choose one of three concentrations based on your interests and career goals:

• Biomedical Microbiology – Ideal if you’re planning to pursue graduate studies or a career in microbiology, immunology, virology or molecular biology.
• Public Health Microbiology / Infectious Disease Epidemiology – Focuses on how microbes impact public health and prepares you for work in research labs, public health organizations or global health agencies.
• Industrial / Pharmaceutical Microbiology – Learn how to prevent microbial contamination, navigate health-care and manufacturing regulations, and support pharmaceutical production and quality control.

Learning Goals and Outcomes

All graduates of the program are expected to fully integrate the theoretical knowledge and laboratory skills of microbiology along with developing scientific reasoning, critical thinking and communication skills. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be able to:

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of both foundational and emerging areas in microbiology
• Read, interpret and apply findings from scientific literature to your own work
• Solve complex scientific problems by applying and integrating your knowledge
• Develop and test hypotheses using appropriate research methods and tools
• Perform essential laboratory techniques with accuracy, safety and efficiency
• Communicate scientific concepts clearly and effectively, both in writing and presentations
• Collaborate with others and work independently in research and laboratory environments
• Navigate ethical and professional responsibilities while considering the global impact of scientific work

BS Microbiology / MS Molecular Biosciences Dual Degree

Fast-track your education and launch your research career with our five-year dual-degree program, which combines a BS in Microbiology with an MS in Molecular Biosciences. This accelerated pathway takes a full year off the traditional timeline, giving you a competitive edge, whether you’re heading into the workforce, a PhD program or a professional school.

As a dual-degree student, you’ll build a strong foundation in microbiology while deepening your research expertise through advanced graduate-level coursework and lab experience. You’ll apply to the program in your junior year, and if you maintain a GPA above 3.0, the GRE requirement is waived.

Key Program Highlights:

• Earn two degrees in just five years.
• Nine credits can count toward both degrees.
• Choose your undergraduate capstone project in collaboration with faculty to support your master’s thesis.
• Use two summers (between the third and fourth years and between the fourth and fifth years) to focus on independent research or thesis work.
• For MS Molecular Biosciences Thesis Track students, the capstone experience (undergraduate level) and research rotation (graduate level) in the fourth year of undergraduate or first year of graduate study is completed under the guidance of one dedicated faculty mentor.