The Department was established in the year 1989 with two lecturers and 10 students under 3 unit courses for graduation, further upgraded to 6 units in microbiology in the year 2004. The Department has subsequently grown in strength to 7 teaching staff and 116 students, assisted by 1 lab assistant and 2 lab attendants. Out of 7 staff members, 4 have a Ph.D. 3 staff members have acquired their Ph.D. while in service and 2 are Associate Professors while one is an Assistant Professor. One staff member having Ph.D. is on contract basis, while another staff member also having Ph.D. is on lecture basis. Another two members are on lecture basis, of which one is pursuing Ph.D.
Department is actively involved in research activities and staff members have completed 4 minor research projects funded by UGC and one major research project funded by MoES-, bringing a total revenue of Rs. 15,50,000/- to the Department. Faculty members of the Department have presented posters and papers at national, international seminars and symposia and have publications in reputed journals. They have also organized state level seminars. Staff members are also guides for M. Phil. and Co-guides of students for their research work leading to the award of Ph.D. Degree. Students with microbiology (6 Units) have a highly versatile syllabus which gives them the opportunity to venture into different fields like Clinical genetics, Genetic Engineering, Immunology, Forensic Sciences, Food Technology, Environmental Research, Biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Biochemistry etc. Many of our students passing out from the Department have topped at the University examination and have bagged gold medals. The Department provides assistance in placement of students who are directed to pharmaceutical companies, breweries, dairy and food industry, patholabs etc. Many students pursue higher studies and have also completed their PhDs. Employment opportunities are plenty and many industries have a shortfall of microbiology staff. To cope with the demand a new branch offering M.Sc. in Marine Microbiology has been setup by the Department of Microbiology at the Goa University and another new branch offering M.Sc. in Biochemistry is has also been started. Department of Microbiology is well equipped with equipments like laminar air flow, autoclaves, hot air ovens, incubators, deep freezers, electrophoretic units, filter assemblies, UV- vis spectrophotometer, research microscopes, distillation unit, shakers, centrifuges, etc. required for basic research.