Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, the bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic forms of life that are invisible to the naked eye yet essential to almost every aspect of life on Earth. Microbes cycle nutrients through ecosystems, make food fermentation possible, drive biotechnological processes and cause the infectious diseases that remain among the most significant threats to human and animal health globally. Understanding them is not a niche scientific interest but a fundamental requirement for addressing challenges from antibiotic resistance to pandemic preparedness, from food security to environmental remediation.

At Aberystwyth University you will study for three years full-time, exploring the biology of bacteria, fungi and viruses alongside their roles in infectious disease in humans, animals and plants. You will develop scientific and analytical skills through laboratory work and research-based learning, gaining direct experience of the techniques that microbiologists use in research and applied settings. You will learn how microorganisms influence the food we eat, the air we breathe and the ecosystems that sustain life, building a foundation that is relevant across a wide range of professional and research contexts.

Microbiology graduates work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, NHS microbiology laboratories, public health agencies, food science and environmental testing organisations, veterinary services and research institutions. Clinical microbiology, infection control, drug development, vaccine research, water quality testing and agricultural biotechnology are all fields where microbiology graduates contribute directly. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in microbiology, infectious disease, immunology, biotechnology or environmental science, and the breadth of the discipline means that specialist interests developed during undergraduate study can be pursued across a wide range of research and applied careers.