What kind of college education is best for preparing for a career in virology?
Many good colleges and universities provide courses and training in virology. Most virologists attend college and major in the sciences. Biology and chemistry tend to be the most popular undergraduate majors. Since the biology of viruses is so tightly intertwined with the biology of cells, a good background in biochemistry and cell biology will be essential. Because virology also impacts on human health, epidemiology, behavior and sociological considerations, virologists also should be well grounded in the humanities; a broad approach to undergraduate education will be most useful. Following completion of college, most virologists go on to pursue an MD or PhD degree. Again, there are many excellent medical schools and graduate schools to complete this training. Many MDs pursue virology research in the context of human health and become clinical investigators in infectious disease or epidemiology. Most PhDs pursue more basic questions, although the divisions are not absolute, and cross-
