Microbiology and Immunology
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Dalhousie University offers the only program of its kind in the Maritimes, providing students with the skills they need to become excellent biomedical researchers. Complete your undergraduate degree as a major, or consider completing an honours or co-op degree and/or earning one or more certificates if certain courses are taken as part of the program.
Your Major Map: Microbiology and Immunology
The Microbiology and Immunology Major Map highlights academic and co-curricular opportunities and provides an overview of how students can customize their degree. Students are encouraged to connect with advising supports at Dalhousie and use the Academic Calendar and Timetable to create their course plan.
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Complete required introductory courses in Biology and Chemistry: BIOL 1010/101, CHEM 1011/1012, and in other subjects. See the first-year course planner worksheet for more information
- At the end of your first year, you can declare your major and register for second-year courses
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- You will start taking more core courses* in MICI, BIOL, BIOC and CHEM, gaining knowledge and lab experience: MICI 2100, MICI 2400, BIOL 2020, BIOL 2030, BIOC 2300, BIOC 2610, CHEM 2401 & 2402
- Consider combining your degree with another subject with a double major, minor, or certificate
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- Aim to take 4-6 MICI courses*. Make sure you're on track with course requirements using DARS
- Looking for a hands-on learning experience? there are experiential learning and directed research courses offered by the department
- Apply for an honours degree ahead of your fourth year if you are considering graduate studies
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
- In your final year, you should be taking 4-6 MICI* courses
- Complete any remaining requirements for a certificate or minor and check your degree audit to ensure you are on track to graduate
- Apply to graduate by Dec 1 for spring convocation and July 2 for fall convocation
*Note that not all courses are offered each semester or year and that course requirements may vary according to your degree type (major, double major, minor, honours). Be sure to keep track of these by consulting the academic calendar.
*After declaring your major, we strongly encourage you to connect with program advisors for course planning and any other questions related to your program.
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Build connections by enrolling in a first-year interest group (FIGS) like Health and Medicine, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Science, and Neuroscience and the Brain
- Sign up to be mentored by an upper-year student
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Explore the myCareer portal to browse through work and volunteer opportunities on and off campus
- Combine academic study and paid career-related work experience by enrolling in co-op
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- There are 70 Faculty-coordinated summer research awards available each year that you can apply for on a competitive basis
- Other opportunities include science communication internships, science innovation and entrepreneurship through SURGE, and student society leadership roles
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
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< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Attend the Dal Science Welcome Party
- Attend the Faculty of Science Program Fair for help planning your next steps
- Consider joining SIMS – Society of Immunology and Microbiology Students! Meet other like-minded students and participate in fun events
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Reach out to the Department's many world-class researchers and faculty to join a research lab as a volunteer
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- Consider running for a position with the Dal Science Society's Executive or with your student society
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
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< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
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30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Explore career paths and industries that spark your interest by attending an alumni panel discussion
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- See which scholarships and prizes might be available to you through the department, on a competitive basis
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
- Time to celebrate your achievements and graduate!
- Connect with the Bissett Student Success Success Centre career supports to get prepared for interviews, and more as your prepare to head out on the job hunt or to apply for graduate school
For any questions about your major, enrolling in a minor or certificate, summer research, or honours, speak with a program advisor!
Where your degree can take you
A BSc degree in Microbiology and Immunology provides great preparation for a variety of careers. The skills and knowledge acquired through this program can be applied, but are not limited to career paths in:
Biomedical and environmental research, biotechnology, industrial microbiology, pharmaceuticals, vaccine development, probiotics, genomics, applied genetics, environmental monitoring, food quality and safety, law, government policy, education and specific health care fields such as dentistry, medicine and pharmacy, among many more.
Core competencies gained
Discipline-level skills:
- An understanding of the disease-causing potential of bacteria and viruses, and how the immune system responds to those kinds of threats
- Knowledge of the processes, structure, and functioning of human, animal, and plant tissues and cells
- Usage of technical instruments such as light and fluorescent microscopes
- Application of laboratory techniques such as staining, plasmid isolation, cloning and screening, western blots, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy
Transferable skills:
- Academic writing and presentation skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Numeracy skills
- Time management
- Leadership and teamwork
- Basic statistical analyses
- Research skills
- Laboratory techniques
Possible careers and employment
Microbiology and Immunology Alumni can be employed within a variety of industries and have multiple career path options. These are influenced by the student's elective courses, experiential learning choices, and certificates. Some of the options below will typically require additional or graduate-level training*, while some can be pursued following the completion of the baccalaureate program only.
- Allergist
- Bioinformatician*
- Clinical immunologist*
- Clinical research associate
- Environmental scientist*
- Epidemiologist*
- Food and drug inspector
- Geneticist*
- Immunologist*
- Infectious disease specialist*
- Laboratory technician
- Medical laboratory technologist*
- Microbiologist*
- Patent Agent
- Pathologist*
- Public health inspector
- Quality control technician
- Regulatory affairs expert
- Teacher/Professor*
- Technical Writer
- Virologist*
