How do I start my education/career in Microbiology/Epidemiology?

[tayrosie]

I am a high school senior and I am very interested in becoming a microbiologist or an epidemiologist. I am applying to colleges now and am looking for suggestions. Here are my main questions:

1. Does anyone know of good undergraduate programs in Microbiology/Epidemiology or schools that offer undergraduate research opportunities?
2. What can I do in high school to be successful in this kind of program?
3. What educational path is best for a research career in Microbiology/Epidemiology? (Medical school? PhD?)

[ajb]

• What can I do in high school to be successful in this kind of program?

Rather generally, I would say that it is important that you do well in your current studies. Good marks at this level will make the next step easier. Other than that I suggest you read what popular science you can to get a feel of what is going on in science. I hope others can give you more subject specific advice.

[Arete]

I currently work in a virology lab in an evolutionary biology department. We don't work specifically on epi, but a lot of what we do has public health implications. I'm primarily a population geneticist/ bioinformaticist, and have worked on fish, reptiles, flies, parasites, bacteria and viruses.

 

1. Depends where you are. Give us an idea of where you would like to go to school.

2. Again, dependent on where you are, build your college entry portfolio (SAT scores, extracurricular activites, etc) and do some basic science at school.

3. It also really depends on where you want to end up; A research lab? Government Department? Clinician? Generally there would be 3 tracks - PhD, MD/PhD or MD.

 

Ultimately, you're probably looking at a long road post high school, and a lot will change along that path. Focus on getting into a decent university program, and let the chips fall into place as you go.