Programs

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Microbiology and Immunology website.

AdmissionsLink to section

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

Students interested in the MS degree are encouraged to apply early in the calendar year for matriculation in the fall of the same year. (The program does not offer matriculation in the spring semester.) Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in March and are accepted until May 1. Typical applicants have a strong undergraduate background in the biological sciences, including molecular biology, and have demonstrated mastery of relevant courses. Applicants moving to the second stage of review will be contacted by the program director to set up a video interview.

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

Applicants for admission to graduate study in the microbiology and immunology program should have an undergraduate major in biological or physical sciences. The usual minimum requirements are general biology, general chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and at least one year of mathematics and physics. Physical chemistry and biochemistry are desirable. The major goal of the PhD graduate program is to prepare students for a scientific career in one of several areas included in the broad categories of virology, microbiology, and immunology. In the PhD program, selected students receive intensive, advanced training in the allied fields of immunology, microbiology, virology, and biotechnology, with a focus on hands-on research and real-world skills, including critical scientific thinking, scientific communication, group dynamics, problem-solving, data analysis, and instruction in drug discovery. The goals are to reflect the interconnectivity and complexity of biomedical sciences as well as the increasing requirement for teamwork in problem-solving in the workforce.

AcademicsLink to section

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The microbiology and immunology program awards an en passant master of science degree in microbiology-medical to students upon successful completion of their qualifying examination, which must be taken by October 1 of the student’s third year. In addition, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a stand-alone or terminal master’s degree in immunology, microbiology, virology.

To be eligible for the MS degree, students must earn 30 credits consisting of coursework, MS thesis research, and dissertation work as outlined in the MS Student Handbook. Depending on interests, a student’s coursework may be structured to follow one of three course tracks: microbiology, immunology, or virology. In conjunction with that decision, each student should choose a faculty advisor by October 15 of the first year.

Students may also choose from the two options for the MS degree: the laboratory research master’s degree (Plan A) and the library research master’s degree (Plan B). Under Plan A, the student registers for courses as dictated by the chosen track of study. MS research credit will vary each semester and include a summer in residence after the first year, devoted to full-time research. The second year consists of remaining coursework in the fall semester, after which the required 30 credit hours will be met. The spring semester is devoted fully to research and writing, with students registering for dissertation status. At least six credits (but no more than 12) must be earned for MS research. Credit and course requirements for Plan B are similar, except that research credits may not exceed six hours. The library research master’s thesis should be oriented to a specific problem or question, with data and information obtained mainly from the literature. The decision to follow Plan B must be made in conjunction with the advisor before the second year starts.

In all cases, the student and advisor will compose an advisory committee according to graduate education and university guidelines. Students must meet with the advisory committee before the end of the second semester to discuss the proposed research and thesis plan, and at least one additional time before the defense. The dissertation must show independent work based in part on original material. It must present evidence that the candidate possesses the ability to plan the study over a prolonged period and to present the results of the study in a logical, clear, and scientific manner. The dissertation should include evidence that the student is thoroughly acquainted with the literature in the related field. Students write and then orally defend their thesis in the spring semester of the second year.

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The program awards a doctorate of philosophy in microbiology and immunology. The graduate curriculum consists of required core courses, elective courses, and seminars. Students choose to specialize in one of the three major tracks—immunology, microbiology, and virology—and fulfill the course requirements of the selected track. Students may also choose to enroll in concentrations in cancer biology and/or in bioinformatics. Each concentration has a set of required courses and seminar participation. Students interested in either of these concentrations are encouraged to take the required courses/seminars after completing their qualifying exam.

A major component of the graduate curriculum is experimental research. In fact, the PhD degree is awarded only after a student has conducted an independent research project and successfully written and defended a dissertation that demonstrates a high level of research skills, intellectual proficiency, originality, and critical thinking. Students are expected to publish their thesis work in peer-reviewed journals by the time of their defense.

As part of their PhD training, students must (i) serve as teaching assistants at least one semester, (ii) develop an individual career development plan, and (iii) are highly encouraged to present their work at professional conferences.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

• IND 501: Ethics in Research
• IND 431: Foundations in Modern Biology I
• IND 432: Foundations in Modern Biology II
• MBI 414: Microbial Pathogenesis
• MBI 421: Microbial Genetics and Physiology
• MBI 456: Virology
• MBI 473: Immunology
• MBI 501: Microbiology and Immunology Student Seminar
• MBI 507: Laboratory Rotations
• MBI 514: Pathogenesis Seminar
• MBI 515: Advanced Immunology
• MBI 519: Experimental Design and Analysis
• MBI 521: Microbial Genetics and Physiology Seminar
• MBI 540. Advanced Topics in Immunology
• MBI 570. Advanced Topics in Microbiology
• MBI 573: Immunology Seminar
• MBI 580. Immunology Research in Progress
• MBI 588. Virology Research Seminar
• MBI 589. Advanced Topics in Virology