A university degree that allows you to explore this great invisible world and that, in addition, has many professional opportunities.
There are many students who each year face thedifficult task of choosing which university career to study. Sometimes, people with a strong vocation towards a specific field, have it easier: they may know in advance what studies to pursue to feel fulfilled and be able to carve out a professional future.
However, there are others who are not so clear and investigate what studying can end up becoming an exhausting exercise. And it is not surprising, because the offer of university degrees today is very wide. In addition, it is worth noting that often people who enter university are very young. At these ages one can feel a little “lost” with which it can make this choice even more difficult.
To choose a university career it is very useful to know which branch of human knowledge interests us most. If biology is your thing, you are in front of a highly branched science. So, we suggest you do a little research so you can findthe bioscience that best suits you.
As we want to make it a little easier today we will talk about microbiology, a science that arises from biology and which you can study at university. Do you dare to know some of the reasons why to study this interesting career?
What is microbiology?
Microbiology as a science emerged approximately from the second half of the nineteenth century, although there are many previous appearances in the writings of ancient civilizations or in the books of great scholars. For example, in the eighteenth century, the researcher Eugenio Espejo published a greatwork about smallpox, which would become the first scientific text that referred to the existence of microorganisms.
The milestone that led to the emergence of this science came from the hand ofLuis Pasteur: he showed that any decomposition process was due to the presence of microorganisms which meant a paradigm shift and propelled the study of these small agents.
Today, Microbiology, this science that studies microorganisms, is a very rich and extensive science with many implications in other areas. And it is not uncommon, since today we know that we live in a world plagued by microscopic forms of life, which although they make up a small invisible world, areintimately related to every living being and natural environment.
Its implications in the field of medicine are irrefutable: without microbiology it would be impossible to understand why the human body gets sick when they suffer an infection, nor would we know infectious diseases so well. This fact also applies to all infectious diseases that animals and plants may suffer.
The same could be said of the food industry: without it, today food preservation would not be so advanced nor would there be large organisms that ensure the food safety of all those products we eat.
Microbiology is also responsible for conducting diversity studies and plays an important role in all ecosystems around the world. Microscopic forms are those found at the base of trophic chains (for example marine seedling) but also those that are responsible for decomposing organic matter.
It seems, therefore, that it is a science with multiple applications that extend to a wide variety of areas, such ashealth, agri-food, environmental and biotechnology.
- We recommend you read: “What are antibiotic-resistant bacteria?”
Why choose the University Degree in Microbiology?
Now that we know this science a little better, let’s see some of the reasons why to study a career as interesting and enriching as this.
1. You will understand the world from a new perspective
By being aware of the existence of this big small world, your perception of the planet will change. Wherever you look you will know that there will be the footprint of microorganisms performing their functions. You will understand that without them theworld would not be the sameand you will see that without them, life on Earth would be impossible.
In addition, it will allow you to understand the origin of life, because microorganisms were the first forms of life on our planet and from their primitive forms come all existing life forms.
There will be many who will tell you that you will become somewhat scrupulous, but it is just the opposite, you will know that although there are pathogenic microorganisms, the vast majority are harmless to humans and others that can be very beneficial.
2. It will allow you to have a better cure for your health
Once you have studied the role they play in our health, you will learn that in your body they house a large number of beneficial microorganisms and you will know how to take care of them, or rather not alter them, so that they continue to exercise their protective and metabolic functions.
Also, and as a result of the study of the nature of infectious diseases, you will know how pathogens are transmitted and you will be much more aware of the importance of preventing their contagion. In turn, you will be able to distinguish which infections may be more trivial and which may not, and you will be able to protect yourself from those that may be more harmful.
- We recommend you read: “The 3 functions of the microbiome in our body”
3. You will be able to work in the health field
If your vocation is clinical microbiology, you will be able to play your role in the healthcare world Once you graduate, you will be able to work inhospital laboratoriesperforming infection detection tasks. In the same way, you can work in institutions that perform infectious disease prevention tasks, either by monitoring infectious diseases of the population or by providing solutions or preventive measures.
4. It will allow you to work in the veterinary sector
If, on the other hand, you are more passionate about animal health, you can also work in veterinary laboratories. As with human health, you can alsoact as a consultant on farmsand large animal housing facilities that require strict control of infectious diseases.
5. You’ll be able to work in big industries
This career also teaches industrial microbiology, which will allow you to know and discover new production processes in which microorganisms intervene.
In addition, you can control and improve the efficiency of other industrial processes that require high hygienic measures and ensure the safety and quality of the products that are made, whether in thefood, cosmetic, agriculturalindustry and a long etcetera.
6. It will open the doors of the pharmaceutical world
If you like the pharmaceutical world, you can perform several functions, either in the sterility control of its production rooms or in quality analysis. You can also be part of theirantibiotic and vaccine research and development teams.
7. You will be able to work in food industries
Continuing with industrial issues, if you are passionate about the food industry, with microbiology you can make a place. Microbiologists are highly valued in this industry, since a good conservation of all the products that are made is key to a good economic performance. You will also be able to work onthe development of new foods.
8. You can take care of the environment
While microorganisms play important roles in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, they have shown great promise in decontamination efforts. For this reason, you will be able to supervise and work on bioremediation tasks, waste management among others.
Whetherit’s degrading plastics in the seaor helping to reduce an oil spill, our little friends can still teach us more. There are researchers who believe they may have an important role in mitigating climate change.
9. You can be part of the world of communication
If you are passionate about the world of communication, you can rest assured: microbiology also requires dual professionals. Either adapting texts to make them more understandable for everyone or working hand in hand with research centers to help them become known. Likewise, you can also act as a disseminator and facilitate theconnection between science and societyto ensure a good transmission of knowledge to all people.
10. You will be able to work in research teams
If your thing is to investigate and you do not imagine yourself without the attire of a white coat, microbiology is also your place. Studying this career opens the doors in this world and will allow you to be incutting-edge research groups. Research is a fundamental pillar of microbiology and many other sciences, so you can publish scientific articles and, who knows, maybe the cure for HIV is hidden in you and you still do not know it.
11. You can help developing countries
Thanks to the knowledge about infectious diseases, sanitary measures, as well as water sanitation, you can contribute your grain of sand to those developing countries. You can work as a volunteer in those regions affected by an infectious disease, guiding the populationwith good preventive measures. In the same way, you will be able to exercise important tasks of education and awareness towards those most vulnerable groups.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.