Can a microbiologist become a doctor?

In Nigeria, not everyone gets to study the course of their choice. Sometimes students apply to study a course like medicine for example but do not meet the cut off mark. Such students might decide to study other courses like microbiology.

This is understandable. But speaking of microbiology many prospective students might have questions about the course. That is why I am writing this article.

If you are interested in knowing more about studying microbiology in Nigeria, this article would reveal all you need to know about this unique course of study. 

What is microbiology all about?

Microbiology is the study of micro organisms which are organisms that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. It has other subdisciplines such as virology, bacteriology, immunology, parasitology, and protistology.

Some famous microbiologist are Joseph Lister and Louis pasteur. In Nigeria some famous microbiologists include Akin abayomi and Uche Veronica Amazigo

While this course might sound abstract, it has many practical applications that bring real economic benefits. Microbiology has led to production of drugs, vaccines, industrial production of chemicals, industrial fermentation used in the production of alcohol and other benefits.

The course is far from useless, however, understanding how to take advantage of your knowledge of this subject to build a successful career is key.

Can a microbiologist become a doctor?

Yes. A microbiologist can indeed become a doctor. If you are actually passionate about studying medicine then you have a shot even if you started with a degree in microbiology.

How?

There are two ways;

• You can change your department from Microbiology to Medicine and Surgery. This would work well if you have maintained good grades while studying microbiology. You need to have a first class CGPA to be certain. Note that every university has their own requirement for switching over to medicine so ensure that the university you gain admission into allows students from microbiology to transfer to medicine.

• A second method is to graduate with your microbiology degree and then apply for direct entry admission to study medicine. If granted, you would start from your second year as a medical student in Nigeria. If you have the resources or a willing sponsor, you can apply to foreign medical schools in countries like the United States. In the United States, you would only have to study for four years to become a medical doctor as opposed to the six years that is normal in Nigeria if you were to be admitted through UTME.

Is microbiology worth studying in Nigeria?

Admittedly, getting a job as a microbiologist in Nigeria can be challenging but there are some hidden benefits especially for those who would go into research.

There are scholarship opportunities for microbiologists that can give you the opportunity to study outside the country. To get these scholarships you have to perform excellently in your studies and finsh with exceptional grades.

Nigeria also has one of the world’s largest disease burdens. A creative and entrepreneurial mind can use their knowledge of microbiology to develop domestic solutions to these diseases and earn a fortune in the process.

The combination of microbiology, health and business acumen especially in the area of raising funds can create wealth for graduates of this course.

How many years does it take to study microbiology in Nigeria

A microbiology degree programme takes four years in Nigeria for UTME students and three years for direct entry students in Nigeria.

What will I do after studying microbiology?

There are different jobs microbiology graduates can do in Nigeria.

I will outline some jobs for microbiologists below;

1. Clinical microbiologist

As a microbiology graduate, you can work with hospitals and healthcare professionals to diagnose illnesses by studying the micro organisms that cause diseases. 

You can also help develop cures for such diseases by identifying, studying and characterizing these micro organisms.

2. Pharmaceutical microbiologist

As a pharmaceutical microbiologist in Nigeria, you would work with pharmaceutical companies to ensure that the drugs or vaccines produced are free from micro organisms that could harm the health of users. 

You would work in the quality control department of pharmaceutical companies where you would monitor things like the raw materials and environment used to produce drugs and medical devices.

Also read: Difference between Pharmacy and Pharmacology

3. Quality assurance officer

As a quality assurance officer, you would use your skills and knowledge to work in manufacturing plants to ensure that the processes and final products meet health standards.

It would be your job to identify potential health complications that can be caused by the presence of micro organisms in the final products.

In order to achieve this, you would participate in planning production processes, inspect production processes, and ensure that quality issues are recorded.

4. Research assistant

As a microbiologist, you can work as a research assistant at the various research institutes in Nigeria like the National Institute of Oceanography and Marine research (NIOMR), National Institute of medical research (NIMR), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) amongst others.

As a research assistant, you would support more senior scientists in conducting research, collecting and analyzing data from experiments as well as other functions that support the research work being conducted by those scientists.

5. Medical sales representative

If you have sold anything before and enjoyed every bit of it then this job might be your thing.

 As a microbiologist you can enter the exciting world of sales when you work as a medical sales representative. In this field, you would have the opportunity to promote health related products to doctors, pharmacists, nurses and the medical establishment.

6. Food microbiologist

Food microbiologist work with food processing and farming companies to ensure that food produced by such corporations are free from pathogens which are dangerous to human health.

They can achieve this through research, product development and quality control. You would also ensure compliance with standards set by regulatory bodies such as  NAFDAC etc

This role would require research ability, analytical skills and attention to detail. 

7. Clinical laboratory technician

As a clinical laboratory technician, you would work with healthcare professionals to conduct useful tests on patients.

You would examine things like blood, urine and other body fluids for micro organisms that might reveal give an idea about the health condition of patients. This information is then shared with physicians.

8. Lecturing and research

If you have a flair for teaching, you can delve into the world of academia after obtaining your microbiology degree. 

Lecturers impart microbiology knowledge to students and inspire them to pursue careers in the field- or at least that is what they are meant to do.

To become an academic you would have to proceed to postgraduate school after your first degree.

A masters degree in microbiology takes about two years in Nigeria while a PhD may take as little as three years or as much as five.

Conclusion

A degree in microbiology can open a pathway to an exciting career for students who love biology, research and an interest in scientific study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a clinical microbiologist earn in Nigeria

A clinical Microbiologist can anywhere between N70,000 to N300,000 per month. Earnings can vary depending on the years of experience and the kind of clinic where the microbiologist works

Is microbiology better than nursing?

Both Microbiology and Nursing are both good careers. It is possible to build a career with either of them in Nigeria. 

If you are interested in working in the healthcare sector then Nursing is the better choice but if you enjoy the world of scientific research more then microbiology is a better choice.

Which course is best: microbiology or pharmacy?

Both microbiology and pharmacy are good courses.

 However in terms of how rigorous the academic programme is pharmacy can be more demanding. Pharmacy also provides more job and business opportunities once you are fully registered.

Is microbiology harder than biochemistry?

Microbiology involves the study of specific micro organisms which can be very demanding but biochemistry might not demand as much detail. However, biochemistry also has its own formulas as it combines knowledge of both chemistry and biology