Grand Valley State University

What you'll study

The programme builds from broad biological foundations to specialised topics in microbial and immune-system biology. Early coursework typically covers general biology, chemistry, calculus/statistics and introductory laboratory techniques to ensure students are confident in quantitative and experimental methods.

Core and advanced modules commonly include:

• Microbiology: bacteriology, virology, mycology and microbial ecology, with laboratory sessions on culturing, staining and microscopy.
• Immunology: innate and adaptive immunity, antigen presentation, immune regulation and applications to infectious disease and vaccination.
• Molecular and Cellular Biology: DNA/RNA structure and function, gene expression, recombinant DNA techniques and cell signalling.
• Biochemistry and Genetics: metabolic pathways, enzymology, microbial genetics and population genetics concepts.
• Experimental Skills and Data Analysis: aseptic technique, molecular cloning, PCR, next‑generation sequencing basics, bioinformatics introductions and biostatistics.
• Applied and Ethical Topics: clinical microbiology, public health microbiology, laboratory safety, biosafety and research ethics.
• Capstone/Research Experience: an independent research project or senior capstone that develops experimental design, data analysis and scientific communication—many students complete projects in faculty laboratories.

Elective options enable students to explore related areas such as environmental microbiology, industrial biotechnology, virology, parasitology, computational biology and pathology. Opportunities for internships, summer research and study‑abroad modules are available to complement classroom learning.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a high school diploma or equivalent with a strong background in science and mathematics. Typical preparation includes:

• Biology: at least one year of high‑school biology with laboratory experience.
• Chemistry: one year of high‑school chemistry (two years, including AP/IB chemistry, is recommended for stronger preparedness).
• Mathematics: coursework in algebra and preferably precalculus; an introductory statistics or calculus course is beneficial.
• Additional preparation: coursework or extracurricular experience in physics, computer science or advanced laboratory classes strengthens an application.

Grand Valley State University considers the whole application, including academic record, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Transfer students should check departmental guidance for credit transfer and prerequisite completion.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in Microbiological Sciences and Immunology pursue a wide range of careers across academia, industry and healthcare. Common pathways include:

• Research and laboratory roles: research technician, laboratory technologist in academic, hospital or industrial labs, and roles in contract research organisations.
• Healthcare and clinical laboratory science: with additional certification or training, graduates can work as clinical laboratory scientists, diagnostic technologists or in public health laboratories.
• Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry: positions in quality control/assurance, process development, regulatory affairs and production.
• Further study and professional schools: many students continue to graduate programmes (MS, PhD) in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology or enter professional schools such as medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.
• Public health, education and communication: careers in epidemiology support, science outreach, technical writing and teaching (teacher certification may be required for K–12 roles).

Hands‑on laboratory experience and undergraduate research at Grand Valley strengthens competitiveness for graduate programmes and employer recruitment in the regional life sciences sector.

Why study at Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley provides a strong undergraduate focus with relatively small class sizes and accessible faculty, which supports close mentoring and guided research experiences. The university emphasises experiential learning—students can engage in faculty‑mentored research projects, internships with regional healthcare and industry partners, and laboratory classes that prioritise practical technique development.

Facilities and support include modern teaching and research laboratories, opportunities to present at undergraduate symposia, and student organisations related to microbiology and biomedical sciences that build professional skills. Located in West Michigan, Grand Valley’s students benefit from connections to hospitals, public health agencies and a growing life‑sciences industry, creating pathways for internships and career entry while receiving a broad, research‑oriented education in microbiological sciences and immunology.