The multidisciplinary Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program offers education and training leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The faculty in this program have diverse research interests ranging from studying the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of infectious agents to the effect of aging on the immune function. In the first year, students spend most of their time in completing required courses in the core curriculum, and in completing the research laboratory rotation requirements.

Program Requirements

All students must successfully complete the core curriculum before advancing to the specific program requirements for their degree. The core curriculum is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program of study for all first year master's and doctoral students in the Biomedical Graduate Programs. The goal of the core curriculum is to provide a broad foundation in biomedical sciences and serve as a framework for advanced study in more specialized areas.

All students must pass a preliminary examination at the end of the first year, while also attending student seminars and journal clubs. Advanced level courses in immunology, genetics, microbial physiology, molecular biology, microbial pathogenesis, mycology, and parasitology are offered to interested students in the second year.

Ph.D. candidates must pass a qualifying examination in the middle of their third year and also submit a minimum of two manuscripts (publications from their research) during the course of the program. The average amount of time required to complete the Ph.D. requirements is five years.

Required Courses for Program

MIIM-502 – Microbiology & Immunology Journal Club
MIIM-504 – Microbiology & Immunology 1st Lab Research Rotation
MIIM-505 – Microbiology & Immunology 2nd Lab Research Rotation
MIIM-506 – Microbiology & Immunology 3rd Lab Research Rotation
MIIM-507 – Microbiology & Immunology Student Seminar Series
MIIM-508 – Immunology I
MIIM-512 – Molecular Pathogenesis I
MIIM-513 – Molecular Pathogenesis II
MIIM-600 – Microbiology & Immunology Thesis Research
MIIM-606 – Microbiology & Immunology Seminar

Suggested Electives

MIIM-555 – Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
MIIM-604 – Special Topics in Virology
MIIM-607 – Immunology II
MIIM-612 – Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Pathogenesis
MIIM-613 – Emerging Infectious Diseases
MIIM-615 – Experimental Therapeutics
MIIM-630 – Advanced Molecular Biology

Required for Biomedical Graduate Studies

IDPT-500 – Scientific Integrity and Ethics
IDPT-501 – Biostatistics I

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines describe the academic policies and procedures pertaining to graduate study in the Microbiology and Immunology program. The document contains current standards that are revised periodically by faculty in the Microbiology and Immunology program, procedures and general rules of the Office of Biomedical Graduate Studies. The booklet is currently under revision and will be made available soon.

The department offers or participates in several graduate and medical education programs. Please check this site again for more information as it becomes available.