Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, viruses, microbial pathogens, and the host immune defenses that protect against these organisms.

The Undergraduate Program in Biology and Medicine (UPBM) combines the resources of the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine and Dentistry to offer courses, lectures, laboratory work, specialty seminars, and research experiences to undergraduate students.

UPBM was founded in the early 1980s and serves as a gateway for undergraduates studying biology to gain research opportunities at the Medical Center. Since then the program has been accredited and is now one of the most popular undergraduate programs on campus.

The program provides opportunities to do independent research for credit during the academic year as well as de Kiewiet Summer Research Fellowships, which support summer research by outstanding University of Rochester undergraduate students.