Examine microscopic life to develop medical, veterinary, industrial and environmental applications.
As a microbiologist you could be employed in federal, state, territory and local government organisations, including research organisations and hospitals.
You will also find positions in the private sector in a wide range of industries, such as agriculture, food production and pharmaceuticals.
Microbiologists:
- develop products, such as antibiotics, detergents or cosmetics, that either combat diseases caused by pathogenic micro-organisms or harness the positive capabilities of micro-organisms
- identify the microbes that cause illness, examining their susceptibility to antibiotics and giving advice on appropriate treatment
- prevent and control the spread of harmful microbes
- advise on public health policies
- examine natural products for their ability to inhibit the growth of dangerous microbes and apply their findings to the medical and food industries
- investigate the potential of microbes to improve human and animal health through nutrition
- develop and improve fermented drinks and foods
- research the microbiology of plants and use microbes to control pests, weeds and animal diseases
- study DNA and the use of bacteria to introduce specially engineered genes into an organism in order to fight disease or to change a specific feature of the organism
- use their knowledge of microbiology to minimise the environmental impact of production and aid the clean-up of existing pollution
- investigate the ways in which micro-organisms can be used to improve and enhance products that impact on quality of life, such as food and beverages
Source: myFuture
Disclaimer: This page provides study pathway and career options as a guide only. You should contact the Admissions Centre, International Centre or relevant Faculties for full details.
Study pathways
The following study pathway shows the most common and direct route for a UWA student to pursue this career.
Undergraduate
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This course is required to pursue this career.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biomedical Science (double major)
- Chemistry
- Genetics
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Population Health
- Quantitative Methods
- Zoology
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Postgraduate
Postgraduate study is not required for this occupation, but may be helpful for career advancement.
Relevant postgraduate courses include:
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Research
Research study is not required for this occupation, but may be helpful for career advancement.
Relevant research courses include:
Other relevant majors include:
Graduate profile
- Darryl D'Souza
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Research Assistant, TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health.
I originally planned to do medicine, but I stayed with science in microbiology, my favourite subject at UWA.
I started working at the TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health one month after completing my thesis. I find it particularly rewarding to be involved in a research field where the objective is the treatment of children's ailments, in particular childhood leukaemia and primordial neuroectodermal tumours in children.
My work requires a diverse knowledge of experimental procedures, the ability to work as a team member, and practical and mental skills to achieve fulfilling results in a very competitive and complex field of research. I find the lab skills and fundamentals of immunology and biochemistry that I learnt at UWA invaluable in my career.