What is Microbiology?
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms and other microscopic life that exists. Microbiology is the science that covers bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses, prions, and other nonliving biological particles.
A microbiologist is a scientist who studies the characteristics of microscopic organisms including bacteria, algae, viruses, prions and fungi and is a popular resource if you are looking for Nurse Coach Job Opportunities. Microbiologists are important because they study organisms that cause diseases and damage to the environment and are an important aspect of health preservation in any society.
In Nigeria, Microbiology is a course under the sciences and takes a duration of four years for completion. The services of Microbiologists are needed in various fields such as Agriculture, medicine, academia, government ministries, non-profits, food and drink industries, etc. Many people think this course is not as lucrative as other science courses. However, this article provides information on careers a graduate of Microbiology can take up.
Careers in Microbiology in Nigeria
Read on below:
Microbiology as a course
Microbiology as a course relates to other science fields such as biotechnology, genetics and uses knowledge from these other fields in performing their duties.
Careers in Microbiology in Nigeria
There are various sectors where a Microbiologist can work in Nigeria. These are:
Microbiologists can work in the field of environmental sciences. Here, they are involved in issues that relate to climate change, pollution, waste, green energy, heat and other processes that affect the environment directly.
Environmental Health/Public health
Microbiologists attempt to explain and monitor environmental health and other phenomena that cause diseases. Many microbiologists work in hospitals, medical schools, clinical laboratories and other health industries.
The roles/responsibilities of Microbiologists in Public health include:
- Analyzing samples collected on patients or the local population which includes bodily fluids for experiments or test.
- Identifying harmful pathogenic microbes that attack the human body
- Culturing and examining different types of samples
- Presenting reports on findings
- Assisting nurses, doctors and other health care personnel in patient care.
Microbiologists also function outside laboratories. These ones work by collecting samples outside of the laboratory in order to study microorganisms, so as to help in improving public health and track diseases.
Microbiologists also work in industrial settings such as in fields of engineering etc.
Academic work in Higher education institutions
A microbiologist can work in the academic field as a lecturer or researcher. In the academic field, microbiologists spend time conducting experiments, analysing results, writing articles and making publications. Many times these experiments and processes take years to conclude. The work of a microbiologist working in the academia also includes educating the public on facts that would help improve their lives.
Medicine/ Pharmaceutical companies
Pharmaceutical companies work to produce medicines that help in the prevention and cure of diseases. The services of a microbiologist is needed to help with the analysis of microorganisms that cause diseases and components to be included in the drugs and vaccines
Clinics and veterinary hospitals
Microbiologists can work as clinical and veterinary Microbiologists in order to identify disease-causing microorganisms (microbes) in humans and animals.
Healthcare organisations Government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON etc.
Here, a Microbiologist is involved in regulatory affairs and is meant to ensure the quality and safety of vitamins, vaccines, antibiotics, toiletries and antiseptics. Microbiologists also identify harmful microorganisms in water, food, dairy, pharmaceutical and products used by the public
- Public health organisations such as the World Health Organization
- Environmental organisations
- Food and drink industries: These include restaurants where microbiologists are employed in order to verify the quality of the products they are using
- Forensic science laboratories
- Publicly funded research organisations: A degree in Microbiology will help qualify you for research and technical positions
- Research Assistant
Microbiologists provide technical support in a research by working in a team with other scientists or as a research director. Researchers work in various fields such as the university, laboratories or organizations.
Sales or Technical Representatives
Microbiologists can provide information on scientific products such as medicines to prospective consumers.
A graduate of Microbiology can take up a career in Journalism wherein he or she investigates issues that pertain to diseases and their causes and other environmental conditions.
- Sales: A graduate of microbiologist can be involved in the sales of scientific equipments ad business
- Science writing for the general public: A microbiologist can write science related articles via blogs and websites.
- Petroleum industry: The services of microbiologists are needed in the petroleum industry for roles such as:
- Monitoring and studying oilfield microorganisms that cause corrosion of oil/gas pipeline and other oil production installments
- Using microorganisms to recover oil from spent reservoirs
- Using microorganisms to convert crude oil to natural gas
- Bio-remediation: Thisis a process of treating contaminated materials such as water, soil and other subsurface materials. This is done by altering environmental conditions to stimulate growth of microorganisms and wear down other pollutants. In Nigeria, Bio-remediation is another area of exploits for a Microbiologist. This is due to widespread oil pollution. Hence, microbiologists are involved in the process of using microorganisms to clean-up oil-polluted areas and oily wastes.
Microbiology also provides one with the necessary foundation so as to be able to advance their education in other scientific fields such as medicine, veterinary, or dentistry. One can further broaden his/her career choices by advancing his degree in Microbiology via masters or Doctorate degree. A doctorate degree qualifies one for higher positions in the academic field and other sciences.
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Careers of a Microbiologist in other science fields
Microbiology is interwoven with other science courses such as Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Immunology. Therefore, many career opportunities are available to microbiologists in other science fields. These include:
- Biomedical sciences
- Clinical research
- Clinical sciences/immunology
- Food technology
- Medicinal chemistry
- Technical brewer : These ones ensure beer produced at a brewery meets the specific standards including beer quality.
- Product quality sciences
- Environmental engineering
- Forensic sciences
- Marine biology