Microbiology & Immunology- Graduate Program

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a rigorous multi-disciplinary training environment leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Our programs focus on the comprehensive study of bacteriology, virology and immunology with emphasis on mechanisms of human disease caused by pathogens at the cellular and molecular level.

Graduates with an M.S. degree in Microbiology and Immunology are prepared for research, technical, and supervisory positions in scientific laboratories in academia, industry, government and the health care field. Within the M.S. program, emphasis may be placed on bacteriology, virology or immunology. Doctoral candidates are prepared to engage in advanced research for the prevention and cure of infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Active collaborations with clinical researchers through interactions with the Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Rheumatology, Oncology and the Brander Cancer Research Institute may be available.

The following areas are available for thesis research: pathogenesis of infectious disease; bacterial genetics; influenza virus antigens and vaccine development; HIV infection; molecular biology of neoplastic disease; and immunological and biological therapy of disease. Microbial pathogens currently under study in the department include Borrelia burgdorferi, Group A streptococcus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Toxoplasma gondii, Influenza virus, Hepatitis C virus, and HIV.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology does not specify prerequisite undergraduate courses, but a background in chemistry (qualitative and quantitative analysis, physical, and organic), physics, mathematics (including calculus) and zoology is desirable.