What does it take...?
- SingleSight
- NealC
- SingleSight
- mw6violet
- rfrance
- NealC
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» SingleSight - Things needed to become a microbiologist
my names rich and im new round here. i was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000 and a fungus called rhizonus mucore micosis (not sure on spelling) ate my right eye (and hense the name). following that, i needed a bone marrow transplant. im all better now and now that i can attend school on a regular basis, i want to become a microbiologist. the only thing is, i have no clue what kind of classes i would need to take. im almost certain any doctor needs to know the basic outlay of anatomy, medical terms and whatnot but other than that, im really out of the loop.thanks to those who take the time to answer.
rich
-- posted by SingleSight
» NealC - Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist
In response to Things needed to become a microbiologist posted by SingleSight:I am sort of confused whether you want to be a microbiologist or a physician who happens to specialize in infectious diseases. To become a microbiologist going to a college/university with a major in microbiology is a good start. Unfortunately, to do any sort of either clinical or medical microbiology work requires you also get a Masters or PhD in microbiology. An alternative route would be to go to college/university and major in biology with a concentration in microbiology followed by graduate school work.
Now if you want to be a physician who specializes in infectious diseases you can take a variety of majors at college/university as long as you take the necessary courses required to be admitted to med school (general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, english, other science courses, etc). Make sure you get some clinical experience (emt training, volunteer at hospital/nursing homes, shadow physicians), get involved in some community activities, and do some research while in undergrad (while getting your B.S. degree; good for admission to M.D. schools). Then you will need to take the MCATs (scores of 30-35 will help in getting into M.D. schools; scores of 25-35 will help in getting into D.O. schools) and go to medical school. There are two different types of medical schools in the U.S. that will enable you to get a license to practice medicine (perscibe medications, do surgery, order tests, etc.). They are osteopathic (Doctor of osteopathy; D.O.) and allopathic (Medical Doctor; M.D.) medical schools. The two different types of medical schools have slightly different philosophies on how to practice medicine and there is not enough space to go there here. Following medical school a residency in infectious disease will then qualify you once you pass the medical boards to be an infectious diseases physician. Hope that helps.
-- posted by NealC
» SingleSight - Re: Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist
In response to Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist posted by NealC:Yes! thankyou! this is exactly what i needed! appriciate it very much!
rich
-- posted by SingleSight
» mw6violet - hi,
hi,I'm a ninth grade student and for my biology class, I am doing a report on Microbiologists and microbiology. I was wondering if a microbiologist could tell me what schooling he or she went through and what a "typical" week would look like.
thanks so much
meg
-- posted by mw6violet
» rfrance - Re: Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist
In response to Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist posted by NealC:Good evening sir i'm from the phillipines, i'm a newly graduate of medical technologist i want to pursue my studies in the us and i want to become a microbiologist what are the things that i should do, thank you
-- posted by rfrance
» NealC - Re: Re: Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist
In response to Re: Re: Things needed to become a microbiologist posted by rfrance:You need to get into a graduate program in microbiology. To do microbiology research you will need to get your Ph.D. and then work as a postdoctoral fellow for awhile after your Ph.D. has been completed.
-- posted by NealC
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