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Studies & Degrees in Pathobiology

Pathobiology is the study of disease as a biological process: what causes it, how it develops in cells, tissues and organs, and how the body responds. It sits between biology and medicine. Where a medical or veterinary degree trains people to treat patients, pathobiology trains them to understand and investigate the disease itself, in humans and in animals.

The subject is closely tied to the One Health idea, which treats human, animal and environmental health as connected. The University of Connecticut (UConn), for example, describes its pathobiology students as focusing on human and animal diseases and their relationship to people and the environment.

What students learn

Programmes build on general biology and chemistry and then add the sciences of disease. The course list of UConn's Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science gives a good picture of the content:

  • anatomy and physiology of animals
  • medical microbiology, covering pathogenic bacteria and fungi
  • systems pathophysiology, an organ-based study of human and animal diseases
  • emerging infectious diseases and pandemics
  • biochemistry, genetics, immunology and cell biology

Laboratory work is a large part of the degree. Several of these courses include weekly lab sessions, and students can add independent study or undergraduate research. The department's teaching and research centre on pathology and infectious diseases of humans, farm animals, companion animals, laboratory animals and wildlife.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. Pathobiology is rarely offered as a first degree. UConn is one of the universities that has a Bachelor of Science (BS) major in it. It is a four-year degree, and the department recommends an average of 15 credits per semester. Students choose a focus: pre-professional health sciences (pre-medicine, pre-dental, physician assistant or pre-veterinary), medical biotechnology, global health and One Health, or preparation for graduate school.
  • Master's degree. In Europe the subject is usually studied at master's level under related names. Uppsala Universitet offers a Master's Programme in Infection Biology of 120 credits, taught in English over two academic years, which leads to a Master of Medical Science. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, pharmacy or veterinary medicine, and laboratory experience.
  • Research degrees. In the United States, pathobiology is mainly a graduate field, often based in veterinary colleges. Purdue University's Department of Comparative Pathobiology offers Master of Science (thesis or non-thesis) and PhD degrees to veterinarians and to graduates with thorough training in the biological sciences. Its areas of study include cancer biology, infectious diseases, bacteriology, epidemiology and immunology. At Auburn University, the Department of Pathobiology is the academic home for graduate students and pathology residents in its biomedical sciences graduate programme.

Where to study it

The SpainExchange directory lists 4 schools for pathobiology: 2 in the United States, 1 in Sweden and 1 in Ethiopia. They include the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Uppsala Universitet and Addis Ababa University. Teaching at UConn and in the Uppsala master's programme is in English.

Because few programmes carry the exact name, it helps to search under related titles as well: infection biology, biomedical sciences, pathology, comparative medicine or veterinary pathobiology. Check which species a programme covers (human, animal or both), how much laboratory and research time it includes, and whether it is a taught or a research degree.

Careers

A bachelor's degree in pathobiology is often a step towards further study. UConn designs its curriculum for students who plan to enter medical, dental, physician assistant, veterinary or graduate school, and for careers in global health, medical biotechnology and the biomedical sciences. Uppsala reports that graduates of its infection biology master's work as academic and biotech researchers, PhD students, hospital microbiologists and investigators at public health authorities.

Official US figures show the level of training that research jobs require. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical scientists typically have a PhD, usually in biology or a related life science. There were 181,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035. Microbiologists typically need a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a related field; the Bureau counted 20,100 jobs in 2025 and projects growth of 6 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between pathology and pathobiology?

Pathology is usually a medical or veterinary speciality that diagnoses disease in patients. Pathobiology is the science behind it: it studies the mechanisms of disease and is taught as a science degree, not as clinical training.

Can I become a doctor or a veterinarian with a pathobiology degree?

Not directly. In the United States it is a preparatory route: UConn designs its major for students who go on to medical, dental, veterinary or graduate school. The professional degree comes afterwards.

Do I need a PhD to work in this field?

It depends on the job. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical scientists typically have a PhD, while microbiologists typically need a bachelor's degree. For microbiologists, it adds that some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or PhD.

Is pathobiology taught in English in Europe?

Related master's programmes are. The Master's Programme in Infection Biology at Uppsala Universitet in Sweden is taught in English and has 120 credits.