Microbiology courses and programs give students a basic understanding of microscopic life. From the viruses that make us sick to the beneficial soil bacteria that help our crop plants grow, these organisms have many relevant human applications.

Master-level studies involve specialized study in a field of research or an area of professional practice. Earning a master’s degree demonstrates a higher mastery of the subject. Earning a master’s degree can take anywhere from a year to three or four years. Before you can graduate, you usually must write and defend a thesis, a long paper that is the culmination of your specialized research.