Biochemistry and Microbiology are branches of science that study organisms from two different angles. They are closely related yet have their specific differences. Biochemistry studies the chemical process of biomolecular organisms within the body whereas; microbiology studies how these biomolecular organisms affect the rest of the body.

Biochemistry Course and Opportunities

Biochemistry is that branch of science that deals with the study of chemical processes occurring in living organisms. It deals with the study of structures and functions of important biological molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, etc. A B.Sc course in Biochemistry is a six semester course. The first and second semesters will have papers on bio-organic chemistry. The third and fourth semesters will deal with biophysical and biochemical techniques. Enzymes and intermediary metabolism will be covered in the fifth semester. Human physiology, nutritional biochemistry, clinical biochemistry and immunology will be dealt with in the final semester. After degree, you can either try for M Sc and after that a PhD. Biochemists are employed by pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, forensic departments, chemical manufacturing companies, etc. There is also a huge demand in R&D departments of private and public research organizations.

Microbiology Course and Opportunities

Microbiology is the study of micro organisms, that is, those organisms that are invisible to the naked eye. Microbiology is used in areas like immunology, virology, mycology, etc. A degree course in microbiology is a six semester course. Most universities have papers on general microbiology in the first semester and deal with microbial physiology in the second. The course becomes a little more detailed when it start dealing with immunology and microbial genetics during the third and the fourth semesters. It goes deeper in the fifth semester when it deals with bacteriology, mycology, virology, etc. The final semester deals with those areas where microbiology is applied like environmental and agricultural microbiology, food and dairy microbiology, and industrial, medical and applied microbiology. After your degree, you could think about M Sc followed by PhD. Major Specializations are Applied Microbiology, Immunology, Mycology, Genetics, Bacteriology, Virology, agricultural microbiology, industrial microbiology, etc. There are many research opportunities like identifying disease causing micro organisms in water, air, dairy products etc and quality of vaccines, antiseptics, etc. Another choice after B Sc is MBA Biotechnology. Most pharmaceutical companies look for such MBA graduates since they would have an edge over other MBA graduates because of their knowledge in their subject. Other branches that need microbiologists are R&D labs in hospitals and research organizations and in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, chemical and food and beverages industry.

Key difference between Biochemistry and Microbiology

Key difference is in the areas covered under these courses and career opportunities associated with them. A degree course in microbiology is very detailed and mainly focuses on only the subject itself and its various branches whereas a course in biochemistry is a broad spectrum. If you are interested in research after your degree, this course would give you a fair idea on various options available to you. Even though the departments that require biochemists and microbiologists are almost the same, their job profile is very different.