Microbiology is the branch of biology that studies the smallest living things: bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. It also studies immunology—how higher organisms respond to foreign substances.

This is an excellent major for undergraduate students who want a good general education with an emphasis on an important and interesting branch of biology. It also is an excellent major for students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, or another health profession.

Iowa’s microbiology program has a solid national reputation. One of the department’s strengths is the large number of research opportunities it offers to undergraduates. If students major in microbiology, they will arrange research through faculty members and they will conduct it in the department’s laboratories. Besides being fun and interesting, research experience will give students an advantage if they apply for science positions in industry or to graduate programs in the sciences.