Education · 1 of 4

The path

A four-year degree opens the lab door. Graduate school decides if you run the lab.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology and chemistry are the must-haves. Add math and physics if you can.

2. 2

   Bachelor of Science in microbiology

   4 years

   Four years. Many schools start you in general biology and let you specialize in second year. Aim for a co-op or honours thesis stream.

3. 3

   First lab job

   1 to 2 years

   Quality control, testing or research assistant work. You learn sterile technique properly here, not in class.

4. 4

   Master's or PhD, if you want to lead

   2 to 6 years

   Needed for research scientist roles and for directing a clinical lab.

5. 5

   Clinical fellowship, if you want a hospital lab

   2 years

   Two years of supervised hospital training after a PhD, then a certifying exam in medical microbiology.