Study Microbiology

Why study microbiology?
New Zealanders study microbiology and become microbiologists for many reasons:
Here are just a few:

Click on the images for more information.

Because microbes are very important. Without them, Earth would quickly become a dead rock.
Because they play a role in global warming.
Because they are important to 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 treesunless 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. Microbiologist 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 not only on 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 depth of the ocean or on Mars. Some of these newly discovered microbes that can help us make new antibacterial drugs, much needed as deadly bacteria become more resistant to our current arsenal of antibacterial drugs.
Career prospects. Have a look at current information on career prospects in New Zealand (applied microbiologists are in especially high demand) and globally. Have a look at current job openings for microbiologists in New Zealand on SEEK and TRADE ME or at current job openings overseas.

Image: Kevin M. Gill

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

Have a look at the story of world-travelling microbiologist Els Maas.

Listen to an interview with NASA astro-microbiologist Mitch Schulte and Hari Mogosanu from the New Zealand astrobiology network.

Where can you study microbiology in 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.

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.

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.

Study Microbiology in NZ