Applied Microbiology Concentration

• Medical microbiologist can be involved with research, understanding disease processes, how to prevent disease, or to develop policies to related to biomedical products, healthcare and lab research.
• Medical microbiologists can help locate the source of and track outbreaks of disease. In private diagnostic labs they may do research to develop new diagnostic tests and procedures and with more education and experience can manage a lab. They can work in public health laboratories, private diagnostic laboratories and private companies. Researchers in medical microbiology may work at government agencies such as the Center for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health or a university
• An entry level microbiologist can start with a Bachelor's degree. Higher positions many require a Master's Degree or Ph.D.
• Median annual wage = $85,000/ year ($40,000-130,000 depending on education, experience and the position.)
• Predicted growth 7%, which is higher than average     
• More labor statistics for this sector...

Those wanting to work in a hospital lab should consider a WKU-BIOL major in Medical Laboratory Science.

• Industrial microbiologists use microorganisms in manufacturing production processes. This can also include biosafety, the development of new products, and maintaining the quality in industrial processes and laboratories. Duties include insuring that regulatory policies are being followed as well as producing industrial product such as biofuels, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals,vitamins and some plastics, all of which involve microorganisms.           
• Work in a laboratory, but the lab may be housed in an industrial setting. Major pharmaceutical companies (i.e. Pfizer, GSK, Eli Lily, Merck), and companies such as Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson are a couple of examples of possible employers.     
• Entry level may require a B.S., but biosafety officers and lead scientists requires M.S. or Ph.D.s.             
• $85,000 ($49,000-147,000)     
• Predicted growth 7%, which is higher than average

• Food, agricultural and environmental microbiologists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. This may include production of food products such as cheese, wine, beer, bread and yogurt."
• These microbiologists work in the laboratory, an office or in the field. Depending on the job, travel may be required. Government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are agencies that hire microbiologists. Industries such as Great Lakes Cheese Company, Budweiser, and vineyards are examples of places that might employ food microbiologists. Industries also hire Food Safety Microbiologists.            
• Entry level may require a B.S., but food safety officers and lead scientists requires M.S. or Ph.D.s.    
• $85,000 ($49,000-170,000)          
• Predicted growth 8%, which is higher than average