Programs of Study

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers graduate programs leading to an M.S., Ph.D., and Ph.D./M.D. degree. Graduate study is available in a number of disciplines including cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbial physiology, and molecular biology. The goals of the program are to provide scientific training and experience for careers in research and teaching in universities, clinical and research laboratories and in fields of related employment. Additional background is available in disciplines such as biochemistry, computer sciences, and statistics in other departments in the School of Medicine and the University.

Students rotate through each faculty member's laboratory in their first semester of graduate study. Subsequent to this experience the student and his/her advisor are expected to choose a specific research program.

Core requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees include courses in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, and graduate seminars. The scholarly tool requirement for Ph.D. students consists of a minimum of six credits of statistics and/or computer science. For both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees students are expected to carry out original research suitable for publication in a professional journal.

Master's degree candidates are required to write a thesis and defend their research in a final oral examination. Doctoral candidates are required to successfully complete both a written and oral comprehensive examination as well as to write a dissertation and defend their research in a final oral examination.