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 Microbes have been in existence for countless number of years. When this fact was discovered in 1676 by a textile technologist who was doing research work on the quality of fibres tripped on this organism, viewing through his microscope and submitted his papers to the London Royal Society and this discovery made many eyebrows to rise up in surprise. The field enlarged itself with the invention and improvement of newer kinds of microscopes.
It was in 1665 that Robert Hook published the first book on this subject with the title 'Micrographia' and he is known as the father of microbiology. And then this was followed by the Viennese doctor, Ignatius who strongly believed that the alarming number of deaths that occurred in the hospitals especially during delivery, was due to the unhygienic practices of doctors who attend on the women in the labour ward. He earned the displeasure of all the doctors and had to lose his job for having expressed this opinion. But the passage of time convinced doctors about the validity of his opinion and they listened to his suggestions. The death rate reduced dramatically. As fate would have it, Ignatius died due to infection.
The wonderful truth of life germinating from lifeless forms and the fact that countless millions of living organisms surround us all the time has brought a sea-change in the world of medicine and researchers have not exhausted the scope and range as yet. And for a long time to come, they cannot.
 Louis Pasteur is known as the father of modern microbiology. His researches in the 1850s brought to light several new facts about the micro bodies. He was responsible for the development of antidotes for rabies, anthrax, chicken cholera, etc. His researches opened up many new vistas in the field of microbiology.
The learning spectrum
There are a total number of 84 institutions in India that teach microbiology at the Bachelor's Degree level. The aspirant should have studied Science as his main subject in his schooling.
The following institutions offer Master's degree in microbiology. The minimum requirement for joining this course is a degree in Microbiology/Laboratory Technology/Veterinary Science/Biology/Botany/ Agriculture.
Names of institutions:
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Adhi Parasakthi College of Science, Kalavai, Kancheepuram 632 506
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AVVM Arts and Science College, Poondi, 613 503
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JJ Arts and Science College, Pudukkotai 622 404
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Maharaja College for Women, Erode 638 052
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PSG Arts and Sicence College, Coimbatore 641 014
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Sivandhi Adithanar College, Pillayarpuram
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Sri Parama Kalyani College, Azhwarkurichi 627 412
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Professor Dhanapalan Science College for Women, Kelambakkam 603 103
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Sri Saradha Niketan Science College, Karur 639 005
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VHN Sendhilkumaran Nadal College, Virudhu Nagar 627 001
The value for a degree in microbiology has increased today and job opportunities are on the increase and it is expected that more number of institutions would come forward to teach this valuable field of education.
For job opportunities in the US for microbiologists:
http://microbiol.org/jobs.HTM
Transcript by Hari Krihsnan
harikrishnan@vsnl.net
Published on 29th
April 2002
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