Career as a Microbiologist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Skills, Benefits, Salary

Microbiologists study microorganisms to understand their behaviour and impact on health and environment, and to develop various applications. To become a microbiologist, candidates are required to clear class 12 with PCB from a recognised board and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related field. They can apply for entry-level jobs with a bachelor’s degree but a master’s degree can better career opportunities with higher positions.

The Salary of Microbiologists varies according to the experience and expertise that they develop by working for years. The average salary of a microbiologist in India is INR 4.40 LPA. The starting salary of a microbiologist is around INR 2.40 LPA with the highest salary being INR 19.60 LPA.

Candidates can become microbiologists by pursuing different Microbiology Courses. Some of the top courses include BSc Microbiology, BTech Industrial Microbiology, MSc Microbiology and MSc Industrial Microbiology. There are also short-term diploma and certificate courses for students who do not wish to enrol in full-time courses. Microbiology courses are offered by many colleges in India. MCC, St. Xavier’s College and Fergusson College are some of the best colleges for microbiology education. GATE, AMUEEE and BITSAT are some of the exams for admission into top colleges for microbiology education.

How to Become a Microbiologist: Quick Facts

Eligibility to Become a Microbiologist

Candidates are required to fulfil certain eligibility criteria and education to become a microbiologist in India. The standard eligibility criteria are as follows.

• For admission into a bachelor’s degree, the candidates are required to have class 12 cleared with PCB as subjects from a recognised board. They should score a minimum of 50% marks.
• For admission into master’s degrees, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field from a recognised university with 50% marks.
• Many colleges also take admission on the basis of entrance exams.
• A strong understanding of microbiology concepts, laboratory techniques, research and methodology can also be helpful in getting microbiologist jobs.

Qualifications to Become a Microbiologist

To become a microbiologist in India, candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. Some general qualifications that are required for microbiologists include.

• Education - A bachelor’s degree in microbiology is the minimum qualification required to become a microbiologist in India. Candidates with degrees from related fields and specialisation in microbiology are also accepted in many cases.
• Entrance Exam - Many colleges give admission on the basis of entrance exams. GATE, CSIR NET and UGC NET are some of the commonly accepted exams.

Steps to Become a Microbiologist

Becoming a microbiologist is a multi-step process in India which starts from class 12. The general steps are explained in the following points.

• Clear class 12: Candidates should clear class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board. They should have PCB as their main subject.
• Earn a bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s degree in microbiology is the minimum qualification required to become a microbiologist in India. Candidates can also pursue a bachelor’s degree in related fields like biotechnology, molecular biology and biochemistry. A bachelor’s degree makes candidates eligible for entry-level positions.
• Earn a master’s degree: A master’s degree is highly recommended for better career growth and advancement. Most of the research positions ask applicants to have a master’s degree. Candidates can pursue a master’s in general microbiology or they can go for specialisation like industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology and agricultural microbiology.
• Enrol in an internship: Candidates get to learn and understand the proper working of a laboratory and its processes through an internship. Internship teaches valuable skills and makes candidates job ready. Candidates can apply for internships at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
• Qualify for entrance exams: Though admissions for most colleges are done on the basis of merit, there are many top colleges that take admissions through entrance exams. Candidates targeting top colleges should qualify for exams like GATE and NET for admissions. These exams also help in securing research positions in research institutes.

Microbiology Courses

There are many general and specialised microbiology courses that can be pursued by candidates aspiring to become microbiologists in India. BSc Microbiology, BTech Industrial Microbiology, MSc Microbiology and MSc Industrial Microbiology are some of the top courses.

The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams

There are many entrance exams for candidates aspiring to be microbiologists in India. GATE, AMUEEE, LPUNEST and BITSAT are some of the most popular exams. The details for some of the top exams are mentioned in the following table.

Top Microbiology Colleges

There are many colleges in India that offer courses in microbiology. MCC, St. Xavier’s College and Fergusson College are some of the best colleges for microbiology. The details for top microbiology colleges are mentioned n the table below.

Skills Required to Become a Microbiologist

Microbiologists are required to have a specific set of skills to excel in research, laboratory work and other aspects of the field. Some of the top skills that a microbiologist should have are tabulated below.

Benefits of Becoming a Microbiologist

Becoming a microbiologist can offer several benefits for candidates interested in the field. Some of the top benefits include.

• Contribution to science and healthcare - By conducting research and making new discoveries, microbiologists contribute to the development of new treatments, vaccines and diagnostic tools.
• Diverse Opportunities - Microbiology has many sub-fields allowing candidates a range of career opportunities in academia, research, government institutions, pharma companies, biotechnology firms, food industries and healthcare facilities.
• Global Impact - Microbiologists can contribute to global challenges like climate change, tackling diseases, sustainable agriculture practices and antimicrobial resistance.
• Good compensation - Microbiology is still in the developing phase in India and thus provides candidates with opportunities to grab positions with good pay.
• Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Work - Microbiologists often collaborate with professionals from different fields leading to new breakthroughs and opportunities for professional growth.

Salary of a Microbiologist

The average annual salary of a microbiologist in India is INR 2.4 LPA. The highest salary that a microbiologist is earning in India is INR 4.6 LPA with the starting salary being INR 1 LPA. The salaries for different microbiology designations are mentioned in the following table.