Study

Why study microbiology?
People all over the world study microbiology and become microbiologists for many reasons. Here are just a few:

• Because microbes are essential. Without them, Earth would quickly become a dead rock.
• Because they play a role in global warming.
• Because they are important to Aotearoa New Zealand.  For instance, all our cows and sheep would starve without them, but they are also attacking our crops, like kiwifruit, and kill our native Kauri trees unless microbiologists stop them. 
• Because microbes can make (ie produce) or break (ie spoil) a wide range of foods and beverages, including wine, beer, cheese, yogurt and salami.  Microbiologists have helped to make the NZ wine industry one of the country’s fasting growing industries.
• Because they can cause terrible diseases but also help us cure them.
• Because there are more microbial cells in our body than human ones – and our microbes have a surprisingly large effect on not only our physical but also on our mental health.
• Because it is exciting to be part of the discovery of new microbes in the strangest places… like the unexplored depths of the ocean or on the surface of Mars. Some of these newly discovered microbes can help us make novel antibacterial drugs, which are in short supply as deadly bacteria become more resistant to our current arsenal of antibiotics.

Being a microbiologist is not necessarily about looking through a microscope in a lab all day….

Where can you study microbiology in Aotearoa New Zealand? 
Degree Courses in Microbiology.The following Universities offer degree courses in Microbiology. Following the link to their respective webpages will provide you with information on course structure, pre-requisites and other information to help you choose and/or tailor a course to your requirements.

• The University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau
• The University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
• Massey University | Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
• The University of Otago | Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou

​Degree Courses in Medical and Laboratory Sciences.Medical Laboratory Scientists are specialised health professionals whose role is to provide essential diagnostic information about a patients state of health. The following Universities offer degree courses in Medical and Laboratory Sciences, and incorporate considerable training in Microbiology into the course.

• Auckland University of Technology | Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau
• The University of Otago | Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou

Courses, including Certificate of Laboratory Science, Certificate of Laboratory Technology and Diploma in Applied Science, are available through many Tertiary Institutes (Polytechnics) and one private provider (Real World Education www.real.ac.nz). These courses incorporate Microbiology in their teaching curricula.

Postgraduate Study in Microbiology.For those already trained in Microbiology, post-graduate study can offer an exciting opportunity to extend your understanding of microbiology. A number of University Departments, Crown Research Institutes and Research Institutions offer post-graduate training opportunities in Microbiology.

• The University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau
• The University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
• Massey University | Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
• The University of Otago | Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou
• Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka

Career prospects. Have  a look at current information on career prospects in Aotearoa New Zealand (applied microbiologists are in especially high demand) and globally. Have a look at current job openings for microbiologists in Aotearoa New Zealand on SEEK and TRADE ME or at current job openings overseas.