The Department of Microbiology, in the Colleges of Science and Agricultural Sciences, is one of the oldest departments at Oregon State University. We explore microbial communities in aquatic environments as diverse as coral reefs and the deep ocean, bacterial communication and how microbiomes evolve and function. We study microbes that are beneficial, as well as those that affect the health of humans, other animals and plants. Through our undergraduate majors in Microbiology and BioHealth Sciences, we graduate over 200 students annually who are prepared for careers in the health fields, research, academia and industry. In addition, we offer a complete graduate curriculum with about 35 students enrolled in Ph.D and Master's degree programs.