How to Become a Virologist
A virologist is a professional who works closely with viruses. They are responsible for knowing how viruses work, how they impact life forms and how they can be controlled. Virologists are employed in a number of fields including disease control, medicine, agriculture and veterinary medicine. If you are interested in a research based career then virology may be the right career for you.
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Instructions
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Develop a broad base of knowledge by completing your undergraduate degree in biology, biochemistry or chemistry. Some of the courses that will help you become a virologist include calculus, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, genetics, physics, microbiology and biology. During your undergraduate degree program you will want to also gain experience in the laboratory. To do this you will need to sign up for summer internships and programs that deal with virology.
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Take your GRE, graduate record exam. This is a requirement if you plan on continuing your education. It is recommended that you study for the GRE in advance, or take a test prep course to prepare for the rigors of the test.
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Expand your field of expertise by completing your master's degree in virology. The coursework that is commonly associated with this degree program include: animal viruses, biochemistry, general virology, genetics, immunology, molecular microbiology, viral pathogenesis, bacteriology, epidemiology, labs, human viruses, infectious diseases and research methodologies.
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Gain as much practical and laboratory experience as possible, during your graduate studies. Take advantage of internship opportunities and research assistant positions that are offered by your university. If you know what area of virology you want to work in, then you will want to fine tune your curriculum to reflect your interests.
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Find a job as a virologist. Start with large organizations like the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. They will have the most openings for virologists. You can also check out job posting at the American Society for Virology (see Resources below). Finally, check out job openings offered by local labs, hospitals and university research departments.
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