Majors, minors & more
Medical Technology
College of Veterinary Medicine
- Offered as:
- Specialization track in Microbiology
Overview
Medical technology at WSU is a specialization option in the microbiology major.
The field of medical technology is closely related to microbiology, which is the study of organisms and viruses too small to be seen by the unaided eye. Microbiologists study all aspects of these organisms, including what they are, their lifecycle and metabolic capacity, their distribution in nature, and their relationship to each other and to other living things.
Medical technology uses the techniques of microbiology to diagnose diseases and pathologies related to human-microbe interactions. Medical technologists perform laboratory tests to discover diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and AIDS through the use of microscopes, computers, and complex and precision instruments.
- Strengths of the program
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- Learn research techniques and operate advanced equipment.
- Receive a solid foundation in the basic properties of microorganisms that focuses especially on medically related aspects of microbiology.
- You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
- Individualize your course of study within the School of Molecular Biosciences.
- Undertake a research project of your own under a noted faculty researcher.
- The prestigious STARS program helps ambitious, high-achieving students get an early start on research and earn their Ph.D. in biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, or microbiology up to two years faster.
- Requirements and core courses
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Bachelor of science in microbiology with a specialization in medical technology
An option in medical technology is earned by completing the microbiology requirements and core courses, including Biol 418, Parasitology.
An additional one-year program in an accredited school of medical technology is required after graduation for those interested in becoming certified medical technologists.
Microbiology majors take the following core courses as well as other university, college, and degree requirements.
Biol 106 & 107––Introductory Biology I & II
Chem 105 & 106––Principles of Chemistry I & II
Math 140––Math for Life Sciences
or Math 171--Calculus I
Math 212--Introduction to Statistics
or Stat 412--Statistical Methods in Research
Chem 345––Organic Chemistry I
Phys 101 & 102––General Physics I & IIMBioS 301––General Genetics
MBioS 303––Introductory Biochemistry
MbioS 304--Micro/Molecular Biology Lab
MBioS 305––General Microbiology
MBioS 404--Molecular Biology
MBioS 410––Medical Microbiology
MBioS 411––Diagnostic Medical Bacteriology Laboratory
MBioS 430--Combined Immunology/Virology Lab
MBioS 440––Immunology
MBioS 442––Virology
MBioS 450--Microbial Physiology
MBioS 494––Senior Project
Biol 418––Parasitology
Pre-med students and those interested in advanced degrees should take a year of organic chemistry, which includes Chem 345 and 348.Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For all students at WSU
Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.
Click here for more info about WSU scholarships and financial aid
For medical technology students
Microbiology majors are eligible for scholarships offered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Molecular Biosciences.
- Facilities and technology
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Microbiology students have access to the following outstanding facilities:
- Equipment for ultracentrifugation, recombinant DNA techniques, HPLC, protein analysis and purification, DNA sequencing and synthesizing, and more
- Bioanalytical Laboratory
- Electron Microscopy Center
- Nuclear Radiation Center
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center
- X-ray Crystallography Laboratory
- Owen Science and Engineering Library, the largest of its kind in the Northwest
- Careers
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Medical technologists work in five broad laboratory fields: blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology. Medical technologists work in hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, public health facilities, business, law, industry, and government. Currently, there are many more job openings than there are people trained to fill them.
Other careers open to microbiology majors include research and production positions in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, in private or governmental laboratories, and in nonprofit institutions such as clinical and hospital laboratories and institutes. Graduates are also prepared to pursue advanced degree work in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and other fields.