NYMC > Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBMS) > GSBMS Academics > Degrees & Programs > Doctor of Philosophy > Microbiology & Immunology

Microbiology & Immunology

Immunology buttonThe Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a vigorous multi-disciplinary training environment leading to the Ph.D. degree. Our program focuses 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.

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 is encouraged through interactions with the Division of Infectious Diseases, Oncology, and the Brander Cancer Research Institute.

The following areas are available for thesis research: bacterial genetics; influenza virus antigens; HIV infection; pathogenesis of infectious disease; monoclonal antibody production; molecular biology of neoplastic disease; oncogenes and growth factors; anti-idiotype therapy of autoimmune and neoplastic diseases; immunological and biological therapy of disease; and cellular immunology.

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 botany or zoology is desirable.

Specific Program Requirements

Students may enter the Ph.D. program in one of three ways: (1) via our Integrated Ph.D. Program (IPP), which does not require a declaration of a major until the second year of study, (2) with advanced standing following the completion of one of the Graduate School’s Master’s programs, or (3) highly motivated and talented students from NYMC’s School of Medicine may be admitted to the dual-degree M.D./Ph.D. program.

For all tracks, enrollment in Departmental Seminar (MCRM 8020) is required each semester while the student is active in the microbiology & immunology program. Students are also required to teach at least two years in the laboratory portion of the Medical Microbiology course. Students who have chosen a dissertation sponsor register for MCRM 9200 each semester until achieving candidacy, and MCRM 9900 each semester thereafter until the dissertation research is complete. A certain number of elective credits (specified in each track) must be earned from advanced courses in microbiology and immunology (catalog # 2000-7999, except for 2010 and 2110). View the course descriptions here

Entry through the Integrated Ph.D. Program or with Advanced Standing

The course requirements for students entering through the Integrated Ph.D. program or with Advanced Standing are the same. Advanced Standing students will add to the courses taken as an NYMC Master's student to complete their Ph.D. degree requirements, but are not required to participate in research rotations.

Entry as an M.D./Ph.D.

The M.D./Ph.D. program overview can be found in the M.D./Ph.D. section of our website.

Contact Us

Program Director:
Raj Tiwari, Ph.D.
Basic Sciences Building - Room 439
raj_tiwari@nymc.edu
(914) 594-4870

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