University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
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Microbiology

Undergraduate Study:  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or Minor in Microbiology.

Website: www.hawaii.edu/microbiology

Academic Program

Microbiology deals with microscopic forms of life and their activities.  Bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses are included in this discipline. The field is diverse and concerns the nature of microorganisms, as well as their interactions—both advantageous and adverse—with other organisms and with the environment.

Entire academic disciplines and commercial enterprises are based on what microorganisms do.  For example, the very forms that may cause infectious diseases and epidemics may also support industries that produce vaccines or antimicrobial agents. Microorganisms play an essential role in the cycling of the limited supply of nutrients available on Earth’s surface by decomposing plant residues and animal remains and by being primary producers of food in the oceans.  Many microorganisms or their products may be eaten, drunk, used as fuel, or carefully disposed of as undesirable.  They may be used to clean up the environment or controlled only with great effort to prevent corrosive, obnoxious, or destructive activities that they may bring about.  Microbiology also deals with the physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology of microorganisms.  Many of the advances in DNA technology are mediated through bacteria, yeasts, and viruses; much of what we know about metabolism in general comes from their study.

Major-Related Skills  

In addition to discipline specific content, microbiology majors have the ability to:

  • apply scientific methodology and use scientific equipment.
  • organize and maintain accurate records.
  • analyze, problem solve, and make analogies proficiently.
  • compute numerically and conduct basic statistical analyses.
  • integrate ideas and concepts across biological disciplines.
  • design, conduct, and interpret scientific research.
  • make critical observations and evaluations, and apply the scientific approach to problems.
  • present results and conclusions verbally and in writing.
  • present information through the design and production of charts and graphs.  


    Declaring Microbiology as a major

    Click here for a form-fillable major declaration form.  Complete the first page of the Declaration of Major form and print two copies. Make an appointment with a faculty advisor in the Microbiology Department to discuss your interests, major requirements, and course selection.  The advisor will complete the second page of the form.  Two copies of the completed form should then be turned in to the service counter ifor Arts & Sciences Student Academic Services.
    Note: Click here if you are adding a second major - you will need to use a declaration of major form that has not been pre-filled to declare microbiology as your first major. Click here for concurrent degree requests (i.e., between A&S and another college or different degree programs within A&S, such as concurrent BA and BS degrees).

    Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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