The Department of Microbiology at St. Xavier’s College Mapusa, was started in June 1983, and was affiliated at that time to Bombay University. It was the first and only College in Goa to offer the subject at the B.Sc. level until 1989. Since June 1988, the Department is affiliated to Goa University and again was the first college in Goa to start and offer 6 Units in Microbiology at the undergraduate level.

In June 2017, the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) was implemented by Goa University; under this system, Honours Programme in Microbiology was offered at the third year of under graduate studies. Since June 2022 under the National Education Policy (NEP), the option for a three-year Degree Programme or a four-year Honours/Honours with Research Programme is available.

In 2021, the Department received a grant under the DBT STAR COLLEGE SCHEME.

In 2023, three faculty members of the Department were awarded recognition as PhD Guides by Goa University.

The Department of Microbiology is always buzzing with activity. All round formation of students is ensured through specially designed extra-curricular events. Hands on Training Workshops, Certificate Courses, Internship Programme, Study/Field Trips, Quiz, Peer Support Groups, Consultancy/Extension Services, Inter Collegiate Festival – Proteus, Outreach Programmes, Seminars/Webinars, Career Guidance talks, Mini Research Projects funded by GIPARD (Goa Institute of Public and Rural development) and Journal Club are some of the regularly conducted activities of the department. An e newsletter: Microscope – See the Unseen released annually by the department documents all the activities.

After B. Sc. in Microbiology students can pursue Masters degree in Microbiology, Marine Microbiology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, Marine Science, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Applied Genetics, Bioinformatics, Agricultural Microbiology, Veterinary Microbiology, Forensic Science, Integrated course for a Masters and Post Doctorate degree, Masters degree in Business Administration, Masters Degree in Hospital Administration, Masters degree in Nutrition & Dietetics Diploma in Medical Laboratory Techniques.

Students of Microbiology can seek employment as Executives in quality control in Food and Beverage based industries and Pharmaceutical based companies, Production Managers in Microbiology and Biotechnology based companies, Analysts in Pathology Laboratories and hospitals, Good Manufacturing Practice Auditors in industries, teachers/ professors in schools and colleges, Project Assistants in National Research Institutes, Officers in Pollution Control Board, Treatment Plants, Agriculture Departments and Environmental Agencies. Microbiologists can start up food processing units, biogas plants, waste management units, mushroom cultivation units, diagnostic centers and other small agro based industries.