Microbiology being a science subject can be pursued by candidates with
background in science at higher secondary level. B.Sc. and further M.Sc.
courses and Ph.D can be taken up at the institutions and universities
offering these courses. Candidates who have passed 12th or equivalent
with Biology or Mathematics as one of their subjects can opt for under
graduate courses. For post graduate courses the students who have passed
B.Sc with Life Science/Microbiology are eligible.
Micro organisms can be studied from the point of view of taxonomy (Classification
of organisms into groups), morphology (Study of its shape and structure),
bio chemistry (study of the chemical processes within organisms), physiology
(study of functions of cells, tissues & organs), ecology (study of
how organisms interact with their environment), genetics (study of inheritance
and variation in organisms) or other aspects. At the undergraduate and
graduate level studies will touch topics like bacterial genetics and physiology,
inorganic and organic chemistry, immunology, analytical chemistry, genetics
etc. These courses involve many hours of lab work and independent research,
especially in Ph.D. programs. Elective courses in microbiology and related
subjects may vary depending upon the students specific interests. For
instance, if it is agricultural microbiology the student will need to
study botany and plant pathology and if he/she is interested in working
in chemical industries, a course in chemical engineering engineering might
be more suitable.
Personal skill: Microbiology is regarded as a research oriented field that requires
utmost dedication apart from having scientific and analytical temper,
interest in research, observant attitude and determination. So people
with these qualities can opt for this career. Along with this, candidates
must possess diligence, ability to work in a team of professionals, good
communication skills and hard work. Good mathematical and computational
skills are of added advantage.
