Applied and Environmental Microbiology
The Applied and Environmental Microbiology program is ideal for students who desire a career at the forefront of human and plant health, the pharmaceutical industry, food science and the environment. Graduates will be prepared to be productive team members in a variety of settings including microbial ecology, soil microbiology, environmental microbiology and plant pathology. Likewise, students are prepared for further educational training at the graduate level, or for professional schools including medical, dental and optometry.
Program Admission and Curriculum
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Applied and Environmental Microbiology majors. To earn a bachelor’s degree, all students must complete 128 credit hours including the General Education Curriculum required by the University.
Examples of core courses within the major are general microbiology, environmental microbiology, general plant pathology, principles of genetics, introductory biochemistry, organic chemistry and soil science.
In consultation with an adviser, students have the flexibility to choose several in-depth microbiology or microbiology-related courses from upper-level courses including applied water microbiology, soil microbiology, food microbiology, nematology, environmental sampling, mycology and environmental impact assessment.
Students intending on applying to post-graduate professional programs are encouraged to take additional elective biological science courses such as introductory physiology and cellular and molecular biology.
Complete course listings and descriptions can be found in the current WVU Undergraduate Catalog.
Employment Opportunities
Opportunities for employment include federal and state governmental laboratories, private environmental consulting companies, pharmaceutical industry, food production, food safety and clinical laboratories in the healthcare industry. Beginning salaries range from $30,000 to $40,000.
