Investigate the invisible life forms that sustain ecosystems, advance medicine, and drive scientific discovery.
The Bachelor of Science program in Microbial Biology in the Rausser College of Natural Resources investigates interactions between microorganisms and the environment to determine the role microbes play in maintaining the health of our biosphere. This includes how microbes can help combat environmental pollutants, facilitate energy production, and influence the progress of medical research on infectious diseases. The major program is offered by the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology.
Microbial Biology is a pivotal field of study because small life forms such as bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi make up the majority of planetary biomass. Microbes play fundamental roles in maintaining biosphere health: they degrade environmental pollutants; they supply essential nutrients and chemicals directly to multicellular organisms, and they engage in numerous beneficial symbioses with higher organisms.
Highlights
- Get involved with the Microbial Sciences Association.
- Tailor your studies with one of four major concentrations.
- Find research opportunities and funding through SPUR.
Curriculum
Classes for the Microbial Biology major range in content and include Virology, Biology of Funghi, Bacterial Pathogenesis, and Modern Applications of Plant Biotechnology. Students will have a solid foundation of math, chemistry, physics, statistics, and biology prior to beginning their upper division coursework. Upper division requirements focus on biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology (14 units), with an additional six courses chosen from the electives list. Electives in the major are organized into four concentrations: 1) Host-Pathogen Interactions, 2) Ecology and Environmental Microbiology, 3) Evolution/Computational Genomics, and 4) Microbial Biotechnology. Many students do one semester or more of research in a lab, and some pursue the Honors Program or participate in mentored research through SPUR.
Learn more at nature.berkeley.edu/advising/majors/microbial-biology
About PMB
The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology is committed to the University of California’s mission of dedicated research and to providing a superior education in plant biology, microbiology, and related life sciences. It consistently ranks among the top institutions worldwide for research and training in plant biology and microbiology. Fast-changing technology and developments are integrated into research while collaborative partnerships are developed with other scientists and research institutions at UC Berkeley and around the world.
Declaring the Major
First-year and transfer students accepted to UC Berkeley and who selected Microbial Biology on their undergraduate admissions application will be admitted directly to the Rausser College of Natural Resources and the MB major (no declaration required).
If you are currently a Rausser student and wish to declare a new major within the college, you must meet with the advisor for your intended major after completing the requirements to declare. If you are a UC Berkeley student in another college, you must meet the requirements to change into Rausser and declare a new major.
The Microbial Biology major offers outstanding preparation for students interested in graduate education in the biological, medical, or other health sciences. The major is also well suited for students who intend to pursue careers involving technical research in government, academia, or industry, including biotechnology. Graduates can also pursue a range of careers that go beyond the scope of the discipline in areas such as health or environmental consulting, science teaching, or technical writing and editing.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Microbial Biology. Rausser College partners with Berkeley Career Engagement to help students access resources, events, and professional opportunities related to their studies. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career counseling, professional and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Academic Researcher
- Biotech Industry Researcher
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Medical Lab Technician
- Medical Scribe
- Pharmacist
- Research Management
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Biotechnology
- Dental Medicine
- Medicine
- Microbial Ecology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Nursing
Shreya, class of 2026
Shreya Jariwala is a Microbial Biology and Public Health alumna, and served as a Peer Advising Leader for Rausser. On the Microbial Biology side of her UC Berkeley experience, she worked in the Seed Lab and was the Senior Financial Advisor for iGEM. Her undergraduate research focused on evolutionary biology and paleontology, which she pursued via URAP, L&S SURF, and SPUR.
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Familiarize yourself with the MB major; check out the Major Snapshot and Sample Degree Plans.
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Begin lower division chemistry and calculus; enroll in NATRES 76 How to Be a Rausser CNR Scientist.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Rausser Student Resource Center and Virtual Bulletin Board.
- Join a Rausser student group like the Microbial Sciences Association.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Find support from the Student Learning Center and Biology Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Live and learn in the Global Environment Theme House.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out the MB Career Snapshot.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start using Handshake to connect with career events and opportunities.
- Look into UC LEADS, MARC, and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on lower division chemistry, biology, and physics; complete the statistics and breadth requirement if needed.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options in Biology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Science, Technology, and Society.
- Decide on your major concentration.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend seminars and other events from Rausser and PMB; see Biology Weekly Seminars in the MB Living Doc.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities from Rausser and OURS; apply to SPUR or URAP to work on a faculty project.
- Explore programs from the Student Environmental Resource Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into QB3 for biotech and apply for the Rausser Summer Internship Grant.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE; meet with Health Careers Counseling if pre-health.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division courses for core requirements (PLANTBI C112 + 112L, MCELLBI 102) and your major concentration; work on lower division requirements if needed.
- Review your degree progress with your college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or a field program at Gump Station or UC Nature reserve.
- Consider applying to the Rausser College Honors Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Help other students as a Rausser Peer Advisor.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Get involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Society for Microbiology or Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups like the PMB Alumni Network and Rausser Alumni.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all requirements including upper division coursework for your major concentration, core electives, and core courses (PLANTBI C148).
- Enroll in PLANTBI/ESPM/MBN/ENVECON H196 if doing the Rausser College Honors Program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Present at a Rausser Research Showcase or outside conference with the Conference Travel Grant.
- Get published! Submit your work to Perennial, Cell Mates, or the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; consider the Hertz Fellowship or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs like the Nonprofit, Environment and Public Service Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on lower division degree requirements through Summer Sessions.
- Learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185 Science Writing.
- Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad.
- Participate in Amgen Scholars, an NSF research experience, or DOE lab internship.
- Conduct research with support from SPUR or UC Nature.
- Learn about health science with the UCSF Summer Research Training Program, Summer Student Research Program, or Undergraduate Research Internship.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal.
- Familiarize yourself with the MB major and Major Snapshot and Sample Degree Plans.
- Meet with your college advisor to discuss your academic plans and intended major concentration.
- Begin upper division core courses (PLANTBI C112); work on lower division requirements if needed.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Explore the Rausser Student Resource Center and Virtual Bulletin Board.
- Join a Rausser student group like the Microbial Sciences Association.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Find support from the Student Learning Center and Biology Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out the MB Career Snapshot.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Look into UC LEADS, MARC, and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division core courses (MCELLBI 102 and PLANTBI C112L); take courses toward your major concentration.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options in Biology abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as CalTeach or Science, Technology, and Society.
- Consider applying to the Rausser College Honors Program; look into Haas Scholars.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend seminars and other events from Rausser and PMB; see Biology Weekly Seminars in the MB Living Doc.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities from Rausser and OURS; apply to SPUR or URAP to work on a faculty project.
- Browse programs from the Student Environmental Resource Center.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into QB3 for biotech and apply for the Rausser Summer Internship Grant.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE; meet with Health Careers Counseling if pre-health.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division coursework for your major concentration and core electives; complete lower division physics if needed.
- Review your degree progress with your college advisor.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or a field program at Gump Station or UC Nature reserve.
- Enroll in PLANTBI/ESPM/MBN/ENVECON H196 if doing the Rausser College Honors Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Help other students as a Rausser Peer Advisor or Transfer Student Center Leader.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Get involved with the Lawrence Hall of Science or Berkeley Natural History Museums.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Society for Microbiology or Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.
- Interested in public service careers? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, and Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; consider the Hertz Fellowship or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish upper division coursework, including courses for your major concentration, core electives, and core courses (PLANTBI C148).
- Continue enrolling in PLANTBI/ESPM/MBN/ENVECON H196 if doing the Rausser College Honors Program; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Present at a Rausser Research Showcase or outside conference with the Conference Travel Grant.
- Get published! Submit your work to Perennial, Cell Mates, or the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Connect with alumni groups like the PMB Alumni Network and Rausser Alumni.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs like the Nonprofit, Environment and Public Service Career Fair.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on upper division core degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as PLANTBI C112 or MCELLBI 102.
- Learn the art of STEM communication in ENGIN 185 Science Writing.
-
Go abroad through UCEAP or Berkeley Study Abroad.
-
Participate in Amgen Scholars, an NSF research experience or DOE lab internship.
-
Learn about health science with the UCSF Summer Research Training Program, Summer Student Research Program, or Undergraduate Research Internship.
-
Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Microbial Biology or the Rausser College of Natural Resources?
Rausser College provides undergraduate advising to prospective and current undergraduate students. College Advisors are available on a drop-in and appointment basis to assist students with course enrollment and academic planning, explain college and university policies and procedures, and connect students to faculty and other campus student resources. Peer Advising Leaders are trained in understanding college and University requirements, policies, and procedures, and offer personal viewpoints and experiences to current and prospective students.
Advising services are available in 260 Mulford Hall in the Office of Instruction and Student Affairs. For advising hours and contacts, visit nature.berkeley.edu/advising/undergraduate-advising or email advising.rcnr@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
Looking for programs similar to Microbial Biology? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs:
