What is microbiology? Why would any student enroll in microbiology? Most students in health-related science programs must complete microbiology; therefore, if you plan to be a nurse, a respiratory care practitioner, medical laboratory technician, an EMT, a surgical technician, etc. microbiology is part of your course of study. Other students pursuing careers in animal science and dietary may be required to complete microbiology. In addition, microbiology might be used as a natural science elective for any college student.

Now that you were told to take microbiology or now that you selected microbiology; it is important that you know what to expect. Microbiology is the study of or science of (-logy) small (micro) life (bios). Biology was first used in 1802 and termed the "study of life." Small living organisms include animals like ticks, flukes, and lice; plants like pondweed or Lemna; fungi like ringworm and yeast; protists including Ameba, Paramecium, and many algae; bacteria which include E. coli, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus; and viruses. The primary emphasis of this microbiology course will be bacteria because bacteria are (1) very common and easy to locate and (2) quite easy to grow on most food or media.