Career Opportunities And Job Prospects of Microbiology In Nigeria

Introduction to Microbiology

Microbiology as a discipline deals with study of living things, too small to be noticed by our normal eyes.
Microbiology is the study of microscopic life, or microorganisms and other associated microscopic nonliving biological particles which interacts with other living things.These forms of living things are called "microorganisms" or microbes.

Microorganisms are diverse in nature, they include the viruses, bacteria, protists, archaea, viruses, microscopic fungi and algae.

The scientific history of Microbial life dates back to over three hundred years ago  with many members of which are yet to be discovered.

Microbiology has a wide array of sub-disciplines which includes virology, parasitology, bacteriology, mycology, phycology etc.

Many diseases in plants and animals (including humans) and plants are caused by different microorganisms.

They  also various medical and economic importance e. g some Bacteria are important in probiotics , they are used in fermentation or food production (e.g. yoghurt and cheese), decay of organic matters, genetic engineering, pest control etc.

Although the microbial life were impossible to be seen with the naked eye, they have a great impact towards each and every other living thing on earth.

What Does a Microbiologist Do?

Having understood the meaning of microbiology in general, it is important for us to understand who is a microbiologist and what does a microbiologist do.

A microbiologist is someone who studies the science of microscopic creatures such as the algae, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi etc.

Often times, microbiologist focuses on organisms that cause disease and environmental damage.

However others focus on those microbes that are of industrial or agricultural interest.

As a microbiologist, you also study the characteristics of nonliving pathogens which includes the well known viruses and prions.

Microbiologists often use tools such as the micro-visual aiding tool known as the microscope, culture medium, centrifugal machine (centrifuge), incubator,  cutting-edge techniques  and sophisticated machineries in relation with genetics and biotechnology, with other related fields to perform their Microbiological studies.

Microbiologists that are opportuned to  work within the realm of environmental sciences are often pursued on the forefront in the fight against climatic change and other in relation to other environmental effects which arises to wastage of the natural earthly resources by increasing pollution.

A large population of microbiological scientists work in ecological departments, their duties include  monitoring and evaluation of environmental health issues as well as public health.

Where Does Microbiologists Work?

Having discussed a little about what a microbiologist do, i guess your anticipation to know where a microbiologist work has been built.

Well, if you're a microbiologist, you can work in or in collaboration with other scientists from varieties of fields.

Microbiologists can work in varieties of industries if no in every industry to carry out vast range of different assignments and responsibilities.

Depending on the kind of duty assigned to you as your specified job role or situation, you may be required to execute more than one task in your organisation.

Job Roles Specific to Microbiologists

Bacteriologist: As a Bacteriologist, your objective is to Seek out  detailed reports about bacterial growth, morphology, virulence, physiology, it's metabolism, evolution and diversity.

Virologists:
These study everything about viruses right from its morphology, virulence factors, controversy and other medical importance.

Mycologist:
These are simply microbiologists that study the morphology, physiology and importance of fungi. This includes fungi useful for industrial fermentation and pharmaceutical industries to other pathogenic one that causes  fungal infections and food spoilage or organic decay.

Parasitologists:
These are those that investigate complex life cycles of particular parasites of other living organisms.

Biochemist: From the word Biochemist being a jib role specifically for Biochemistry practitioners also gives a perfectly befitting chance to be practicalised by microbiologist. Your job specification here is study how living organisms obtain their energy, how they consume nutrients obtained and their methods of reproduction.

Cell Biologists:
As a cell biologist your Microbiology knowledge does you favour by equipping you with the knowledge to explore the actions of different molecules and organelles in the cell. These ranges from the human blood cells, skin cells and other cells in the body, other multicellular cells to other unicellular cells of microorganisms.

Clinical Microbiologist:
Clinical Microbiology deals with the causes of microbial infections in humans and other animals with the quest of specific antimicrobials effective for the treatment of the diagnosed diseases.
As a clinical Microbiologist you ought to play a key role in the detection and isolation of discovered pathogenic microbes.

Environmental Microbiologist:
Here you explore /investigate and study the effects of different microbial activities of environmental concerns to the biological, chemical, and geophysical factors of the surroundings.
These studies results in obtaining the required information relevant  for the survival or adaptation of mankind to environmental hazards.

Biotechnologist: These microbiologist have the role of genetic modification which arises through the Manipulation of genes with the aim of modifying abilities of microorganisms to carry out required functions.
These is a vast field with great potential to modern day scientists as microorganisms subjected for the role of genetic manipulation and recombinant DNA technology are used as producers of many biological products Useful for mankind. These products includes: insulin, drugs, grocery store items etc.

Microbial Geneticists:
These are microbiologists that deals with the study of heredity and variations in microbes.
Their duty often relates to genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology. However a microbiologist also has business with genetics in higher animals in relation to genetically acquired traits.

Immunologists:
As an immunologist your role will be to investigate the body's defence against different disease known as immunity. This includes both the innate and adaptive immune systems of animals and how pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria destroy the immune systems of higher living things.

Science Writers and Researchers:
You can write articles, books, papers, journals related to scientific investigations and publish on your own as a Microbiology freelancers
or as an employee of renowned Microbiology research centers.

Teachers or lecturers:
This is where you tend to pass your knowledge of microbiology to other junior scientists.

One with a Bachelors degree in Microbiology may be also qualified to work in medical school laboratory as a technician or scientist, food and beverage industries, public and global health institutions, forensic science, pharmaceutical industries, quality assurance technologists in local agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, and international firms. Medical laboratory scientists in hospitals(although these requires a licence in some countries like Nigeria from which is not obtainable as a microbiologist in the country), vaccines production and their quality control, antibiotics and antiseptics production companies.

Hint

Combining microbiology with another discipline, has been such a path many microbiologists in Nigeria venture into. As you're nevertheless restricted from your area of study of specialisation, other microbiologists derail into various jobs such as education, business, accounting and finances, journalism, entrepreneurship provides an even wider range of career options.

As a microbiology graduate you also have the option to advance your career by pursuing post graduate courses, professional and certificate courses, pursue medical courses such as MBBs, Nursing etc. A Phd in this field also grants you advanced research opportunities.

Admission Requirements To Study Microbiology In Nigeria
As a Microbiology aspirant applying to study Microbiology at any if the Nigerian Universities you need to obtain
Five O'level credit passes in the following subjects as WAEC, NECO, GCE, or other approved examinations.
English language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

JAMB UTME  or Post Utme Course Combinations to Study Microbiology in Nigeria
The Subject combination includes :
English language, physics, chemistry and biology.

Conclusion

Institutions To Apply for Microbiology in Nigeria
As popular as Microbiology, a course loved and aspired by all (with me inclusive ; that's what i studied in the University), you've got not to panic about choosing the university with Microbiology students. All that is required by you is to choose a university of your interest which offers the most in terms of practicals, learning conditions and experienced staffs in terms of Microbiology amongst others.

Inspiration
As a Microbiologist, the sky is your starting point, so Read Microbiology, Live Microbiolgy.
Proudly Microbiologist.

Drop your comments below if you have any question regarding Microbiology. To chat live with a microbiologist.