
What does a public health microbiologist do in a laboratory?
In a public health laboratory, PHM’s perform analyses on specimens from humans, as well as from water supplies, food and the environment. They provide laboratory support for the surveillance, control and prevention of communicable diseases and other health hazards in the community. What are the requirements to become a Public Health Microbiologist?
What degree do I need to become a medical microbiologist?
Bachelors or higher degree in medical or public health microbiology from an accredited college or university.
What can you do with a microbiology degree?
Getting a bachelors degree in microbiology is a great way to jump-start a career. From there, microbiologists can continue their education in medicine, veterinary studies, or numerous other graduate and post-graduate positions in the science. Read about environmental microbiology degrees. GO!
How do I get public health microbiologist (PHM) certification?
A passing score on the examination is required to be eligible to obtain Public Health Microbiologist Certification. AAB exams for PHM Certification are typically offered twice a year.

How long does it take to become a microbiologist?
Upon successful completion of the 6-month training program* you will be approved to sit for the Public Health Microbiologist Certification exam administered by the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB). A passing score on the examination is required to be eligible to obtain Public Health Microbiologist Certification.
How often is the PHM exam offered?
AAB exams for PHM Certification are typically offered twice a year.
What courses should include a laboratory component?
Courses in microbiology (bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, immunology, and serology) should include a laboratory component.
How long does it take to become a PHM?
LFS approved PHM trainees must undergo 6 months of training in an approved State or local Public Health laboratory
What is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in biology?
Bachelors degree in a biological, chemical, physical or laboratory science may be considered equivalent if the transcript shows completion of 24 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) in the following subjects: m icrobiology, cellular or molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, physics, microtechnique, instrumentation, epidemiology, or other related courses.
What is a PHM?
In a public health laboratory, PHM’s perform analyses on specimens from humans, as well as from water supplies, food and the environment. They provide laboratory support for the surveillance, control and prevention of communicable diseases and other health hazards in the community.
What is a microbial disease concentration?
This concentration prepares students for technical work or graduate school in microbial disease systems using polymerase chain reaction, other molecular diagnostic tools, as well as environmental and industrial applications of microbial systems.
What is lab research?
A study of cells and their function. Lab includes designing an experiment on cancer cell lines to look for compounds that promote or deter cancerous cell growth.
What percentage of students do research with faculty members?
Nearly 20 percent of students do research with a faculty member and many go on to publish papers and travel to conferences. Faculty currently have grants from National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Alabama State Department of Education. Many students find local employment with the State Health Lab.
Is a Degree in Public Health and Microbiology right for me?
Check out our Career Discovery Board on this page to begin exploring your options. Contact us for a personal conversation or send us an email, so we can get the answers you need.
What is the role of microbiology in public health?
They offer an opportunity to participate in clinical decision making by providing critical information to healthcare teams. Microbiologists also contribute to public health by providing information important for the detection and characterization ...
What is the difference between clinical microbiology and public health microbiology?
Clinical microbiology: investigates microorganisms that cause infectious diseases.
How long does it take to become a postdoc in microbiology?
Postdoc through ASM’s Committee on Postgraduate Education Programs (CPEP) (optional but desirable), or informal training for 3 years in a clinical microbiology lab, or M.D. clinical microbiology postgraduate fellowship.
What is the role of reporting results to healthcare providers caring for patients in a clear, concise and clinically-relevant?
Report results to healthcare providers caring for patients in a clear, concise and clinically-relevant manner. Work with healthcare teams, including public health officials, to improve processes to diagnose and control infectious diseases, with a strong emphasis on effective communication at all levels.
What is the acronym for American Board of Medical Microbiology?
Certified through the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM).
Is a microbiology certification required?
Certification as clinical microbiologist recognized by public health, but not mandatory for most laboratories. Requirements vary by state and by type of public health microbiology testing being performed . Note: To perform testing regulated by CLIA in a public health laboratory, educational requirements are the same as for a clinical microbiologist.
Can you work in public health with a microbiology degree?
Individuals trained in clinical microbiology are generally qualified to work in public health laboratories as well.
Studying Public and Environmental Health at Weber State
The microbiology program’s emphasis in public and environmental health gives you a strong foundation in microbiology with a focus on public health concerns.
Public and Environmental Health Highlights
You will receive hands-on training in the laboratory, working with professors on research projects that explore how microbes impact public and environmental health. You will gain in-depth knowledge about how to prevent the spread of microbial diseases through public action and education.
What You Can Do After Weber
Graduates with a public health emphasis can pursue a variety of careers and are well prepared to pursue graduate studies in public health. Job titles include:
Who introduced the microbiology society?
After the opening speeches took place, Dr Sessou introduced the Microbiology Society and highlighted five reasons for joining the Society. Following this, an inaugural lecture was given by Persson Andrianasitera. Her lecture, titled 'International Foundation for Science (IFS) and its support of young researchers in microbiology ...
What is predictive microbiology?
Next, participants were treated to a plenary lecture by Dr Sylvain Dabade on ‘Predictive microbiology and food quality management in Africa’. Dr Dabade emphasised that Predictive Microbiology (PM) is the branch of food microbiology that quantitatively evaluates the behaviour of micro-organisms in foods in order to derive adequate mathematical models, which describe the behaviour of micro-organisms in terms of their growth, inactivation and ability to produce toxins and germinate. He then pointed out that PM offers an alternative to the traditional microbiological assessment of food quality, such as shelf-life tests and challenge tests. These models are used to support food quality management decisions and can be applied throughout the supply chain to determine what can happen in many different scenarios. According to the speaker, PM is based on the assumption that the responses of micro-organisms to environmental factors are reproducible and, therefore, past observations can be used to predict future responses of micro-organisms to environmental factors. There are three types of models in PM: 1 Primary models that describe changes in a microbial population as a function of time under given environmental conditions 2 Secondary models that describe changes in kinetic parameters (e.g. growth rates) as a function of environmental factors (e.g. temperature) 3 Tertiary models that contain both primary and secondary models in user-friendly decision support systems that are software.

Clinical Microbiology
Public Health Microbiology
- What do public health microbiologists do?
Public health microbiologists have similar responsibilities as medical microbiologists, and may also do the following: 1. Develop and perform diagnostic, outbreak and surveillance testing for infectious diseases in humans. 2. Provide lab testing for a range of environmental and animal sa… - Where do public health microbiologists work?
1. Local, state or national public health laboratories (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)). 2. Academic laboratories. 3. Newborn and genetic diseases laboratories. 4. Environmental laboratories.
Is A Career in Clinical Or Public Health Microbiology For You?
- Are you fascinated by all kinds of “germs” and their DNA/RNA?
- Do you prefer to stay “behind the scenes” rather than work directly with patients?
- Do you like to perform a variety of tasks?
- Do you like to watch things (e.g., microbes) grow?