What is Microbiology?: Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

The most well-suited course in the Microbiology stream is the BSc Microbiology program. It is an undergraduate degree programme that focuses on the study of microorganisms, including viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and other microscopic life forms.  
A BSc in Microbiology frequently involves a lot of lab work. Students receive practical experience in methods like DNA analysis, biochemical assays, microscopy, and the culture of microorganisms.

Microbiology is a branch of Biology that deals with the study of microorganisms. The microbiology course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the microscopic world, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The Microbiology course covers the fundamental principles and concepts of Microbiology, including microbial growth, metabolism, genetics, and ecology.

The Microbiology course also covers the interaction between microorganisms and their environment, including their relationship with other organisms and their impact on human health. Students will learn about the different types of microorganisms and their structures, functions, and roles in the environment.

Due to the increasing demand for microbiology in almost every sector, advanced technologies are evolving through research. These are helping lives day-to-day solving life-threatening diseases and problems in the food industry. Clinical laboratory tests are progressing precisely because of recent inventions. Some new technologies in microbiology are:

• Molecular Methods- Molecular techniques used in microbiology involve the manipulation and analysis of DNA, RNA, protein, and lipids. The benefits of molecular methods are improved sensitivity of detection, specificity of identification, and reduced turnaround time.
• Nucleic Acid Sequencing- Nucleic acid sequencing is the method to determine the sequential arrangement of nucleic acid bases. This allows researchers to identify changes in genes, links with diseases, and identify potential drug targets.
• Digital PCR- Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction methods are used to directly expand and amplify nucleic acid strands like DNA, cDNA, or RNA. Some of its applications are liquid biopsy, rare sequence detection, and gene expression.

Students pave the way for new approaches to fight diseases. All programmes in microbiology studies contain laboratory equipment. Internships provide quality experiences and win jobs from potential employers. Microbiologists specialise in understanding the characteristics and behaviour of microorganisms. Sometimes, they deal with harmful organisms for their research, and it tends to be hazardous. The required skill set to pursue a PG Diploma in Microbiology is:

• Abundant knowledge of science,
• Analytical, interpersonal, mathematical, speaking, and writing proficiency,
• Knowledge about how to use equipment like gas chromatography and electron microscopes,
• Laboratory skill,
• Critical thinking.

Some of the top career scopes after a microbiology course are mentioned in the table below, along with their average salary packages. Please note that the salary brackets highly depend on the job level, individual experience, and company status.

BSc Microbiology admission is done on a merit basis for most colleges/universities. However, for admission to various top institutions, there are various BSc Microbiology entrance exams such as CUET, AMUEEE, IISER IAT, and so on. Candidates with a minimum of 55 - 60% in 10+2 are eligible to apply for BSc Microbiology.

Yes, there are many common entrance exams to get admitted to Microbiology Colleges in India; below mentioned are some of them:

• CUET: Common University Entrance Test is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission in various fields in UG and PG level.
• CPGET: Common Post Graduate Entrance Test is a state-level entrance exam conducted by Osmania University for admission to various PG, PGDM courses and five-year integrated courses in State Universities of Telangana.
• ICAR AIEEA: Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission is a National level entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency for admission to Bachelors and Masters degree programmes in Agriculture and Allied Sector.
• UGC NET: University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test is a national-level entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for determining eligibility of candidates for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship in Indian Universities and Colleges.
• NEET MDS: National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Masters in Dental Surgery is a national level entrance exam conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE) for admission to postgraduate dental courses.

Microbiology courses exams can range from medium to advanced in terms of their difficulty level. The difficulty level of such exams are broadly based on several other factors like: Individual capabilitites, Prior knowledge of the concepts, Syllabus for a particular exam as well as the time frame dedicated towards the preparation.

It is important for the candidates to understand the syllabus properly in order to keep their preparation on point and save their time and efforts for topics with more weightage and importance. Also, the candidate population estimated to take that particular exam plays a major role in determining your rank and chances in the competition to get into the top colleges of the country.

Since board exams are equally important in one's academic journey, make sure you have a grip on your board syllabus first, and then you can also prioritize the entrance exam preparation for microbiology courses for various top institutes. 

Try to study the common topics of boards and entrance exams from the same sources to save time and effort.

Make sure you do not neglect one over the other; students need to be certain if they can handle both things simultaneously. 

Take breaks in between your sessions to avoid burnout.

Stay consistent, committed, and calm throughout your journey. Please take care of your health also.

Microbiology courses are in high demand due to the recent increase in the complexities of diseases caused by microbes, with the global pandemic being one of the most recent examples. The core Microbiology study includes disciplines such as Mycology, Industrial Microbiology, Biostatistics, and others, providing students with the abilities required by candidates to work in the business.

The Microbiologist course can lead to employment chances for persons with diverse backgrounds such as bacteriologists, virologists, cell biologists, mycologists, and many others.

After BSc Microbiology, candidates can continue their studies by enrolling in MSc programs such as MSc Microbiology, MSc Applied Microbiology, MSc Medical Microbiology, and MSc Microbial Genetics and Bioinformatics. A postgraduate degree in a Microbiology course improves candidates' job prospects. Similarly, after finishing their PG, applicants might pursue PhD programs.

The fact that many microorganisms rapidly change their genomic architecture leads to more research scope. Microbiology course graduates are always studying microbes to better understand the next wave of infectious diseases, the environmental impact of bacteria, the effect of microbes on food products, and so on.

India has almost 264 Government Microbiology Colleges and below mentioned are some of the top Government Microbiology Colleges in India:

Given below are some of the top Microbiology Colleges in India in accordance to their NIRF University Ranking 2023:

Here are some of the top Microbiology college options providing the best placement options in India:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

The Microbiology salary in India can vary depending on experience, education, location, and the type of industry or organization. However, the average salary of a Microbiologist in India is:
•    Entry-Level: INR 2.5 - 4 LPA
•    Mid-Level: INR 4 - 6 LPA
•    Senior-Level: INR 6 - 10 LPA

With a degree in microbiology, you can get opportunities in various fields like: Healthcare organizations, Forensic science laboratories, Environmental organizations, Higher education institutions, Food and drink, Publicly funded research organizations,  Pharmaceuticals and many other industries. In the medicine and health care field, your work is usually associated with prevention and treatment of illnesses linked with microbes. There are various universities and institutions employ microbiologists as teachers and researchers. All the best.

Here are some of the top job profiles under Microbiology field:

Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Microbiology and Biotechnology are two distinct fields of study within the broader scope of Life Sciences. Both fields deal with living organisms, but Microbiology is primarily concerned with the study of microorganisms, while Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or their products to create useful products or technologies. 

Candidates can check the table below to know the comparison between the two.

Fundamentally, Microbiology courses impart knowledge on basic activities, living, and effects of microorganisms. The organisms include fungi, viruses, prions, prokaryotes, and protists. The immune system and immunology are studied in detail to know how diseases attack the human body.

Theoretical, as well as practical training, is imparted to candidates. This helps them to perform well in-patient care and prevent infectious diseases that bother society. Basic research is introduced to them in postgraduate studies so that they conduct fundamental and applied research.

Also, planning, executing, and teaching medical Microbiology is done. Postgraduate programmes are mostly self-directed and focus on clinical and academic work. A thesis is required to complete post-graduation.