Program Curriculum
Master of Science Program
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0411)
Plan A: A minimum of 30 course credits, including a one-credit Master’s Literature Review, is required. Degree candidates must complete at least 9 credits from the “core” curriculum (MICRO 2000 - 2999), as well as the other specified required courses. A maximum of 6 credits from “Techniques” courses (MICRO 9100 - 9190) may be used to fulfill elective credit requirements. Other elective credits may be earned from advanced Microbiology and Immunology courses (MICRO 3000 - 7999) or, with the approval of the program director, courses in other disciplines. “Core” credits earned beyond the 9-credit minimum may also be applied towards the elective credit requirement.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I or II (BIOC 1010 or 1020) | 4 credits |
| General Microbiology (MICRO 1010) | 4 credits |
| Master’s Literature Review (MICRO 9750) | 1 credit |
Core Courses |
(minimum of 9 credits) |
| Basic Immunology (MICRO 2010) | 2 credits |
| Advanced Immunology (MICRO 2020) | 2 credits |
| Virology (MICRO 2110) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Genetics (MICRO 2120) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Pathogenicity (MICRO 2140) | 2 credits |
| Molecular Biology (MICRO 2210) | 3 credits |
| Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (MICRO 2310) | 2 credits |
Electives |
|
| Techniques Courses (MICRO 9100 - 9190) | up to 6 credits |
| Didactic Courses | 6 - 12 credits |
TOTAL |
30 credits |
Plan B: A minimum of 30 credits is required, including a one-credit Master’s Thesis. Degree candidates must complete at least 9 credits from the “core” curriculum (MICRO 2000 - 2999), as well as the other specified required courses. A maximum of 6 credits from “Techniques” courses (MICRO 9110 - 9190) may be used to fulfill elective credit requirements. In addition, up to 5 credits for Master’s Thesis Research (MICRO 9800) may be used towards the 30-credit requirement. Other elective credits may be earned from advanced Microbiology and Immunology courses (MICRO 3000 - 7999) or, with the approval of the program director, courses in other disciplines. “Core” credits earned beyond the 9-credit minimum may also be applied towards the elective credit requirement.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I or II (BIOC 1010 or 1020) | 4 credits |
| General Microbiology (MICRO 1010) | 4 credits |
| Master’s Thesis (MICRO 9850) | 1 credit |
Core Courses |
(minimum of 9 credits) |
| Basic Immunology (MICRO 2010) | 2 credits |
| Advanced Immunology (MICRO 2020) | 2 credits |
| Virology (MICRO 2110) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Genetics (MICRO 2120) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Pathogenicity (MICRO 2140) | 2 credits |
| Molecular Biology (MICRO 2210) | 3 credits |
| Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (MICRO 2310) | 2 credits |
Electives |
|
| Techniques Courses (MICRO 9100 - 9190) | up to 6 credits |
| Master’s Thesis Research (MICRO 9800) | up to 5 credits |
| Didactic Courses | 1 - 12 credits |
TOTAL |
30 credits |
Doctor of Philosophy
Specific Program Requirements (Hegis Code 0411)
A minimum of 45 course credits plus 15 dissertation research credits is required. A program of study for each student will be designed in consultation with the graduate program director, but it will follow the general guidelines listed below. A maximum of six technique course credits (MICRO 9100 - 9190) may be counted toward the degree requirements. The student is required to enroll in the Departmental Seminar (MICRO 8020) each semester but only four credits can be counted toward the degree requirements. Students are expected to teach at least two years in the Medical Microbiology laboratory after passing the course themselves.
| Required Courses | |
| General Biochemistry I or II (BIOC 1010 or 1020) | 4 credits |
| Cell Biology (CELL 1360) | 3 credits |
| Medical Microbiology (MICRO 1410) | 8 credits |
| Departmental Seminar (MICRO 8020) | 4 credits |
Core Courses |
(minimum of 9 credits) |
| Basic Immunology (MICRO 2010) | 2 credits |
| Advanced Immunology (MICRO 2020) | 2 credits |
| Virology (MICRO 2110) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Genetics (MICRO 2120) | 3 credits |
| Microbial Pathogenicity (MICRO 2140) | 2 credits |
| Molecular Biology (MICRO 2210) | 3 credits |
| Molecular Biology & Immunology of Tumor Cells (MICRO 2310) | 2 credits |
| Electives | |
| Techniques courses (MICRO 9100 9190) | up to 6 credits |
| Didactic Courses | 11-17 credits |
| Subtotal, course credits | 45 credits |
| Doctoral Dissertation Research (MICRO 9900) | 15 credits |
| TOTAL | 60 credits |
Qualifying Examination
Students in good academic standing can take the Qualifying Examination after completing 30 credits of didactic coursework, including Medical Microbiology (MICRO 1410), with the approval of the faculty. The examination consists of a written research proposal, using the model of a fellowship application, that serves as the basis for an oral examination by the program faculty.
Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee consists of at least five members including the student’s sponsor, the Department Chairman or his appointed representative, and one member of the graduate faculty from outside the department. The committee may include a qualified scientist from outside the College. The sponsor serves as the chair of the committee.