The Ph.D. in Microbiology provides training and preparation to pursue research and/or teaching careers in multiple areas in microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, mycobacteriology, infectious disease pathogenesis, vector-borne infectious disease, prion biology, immunology, computational microbiology, and science education in microbiology and immunology. This program provides opportunities for graduate training in fundamentals of modern investigative microbiology, immunology, and pathobiology with an emphasis on a multi-disciplinary approach to research problems. It involves research in progressive areas such as emerging infectious diseases, biosecurity, interdisciplinary/systems biology, and translational medicine.
The student's graduate committee guides the student in planning a program of study to meet their goals in their area of specialization and is based on their academic background. Goals for Microbiology Ph.D. students include successful completion of the preliminary exam, presentation of research at local, national and international meetings, publication of dissertation research in peer-reviewed journals, and successful completion and defense of a dissertation.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Design and execute research projects by devising hypotheses specific to the fields of microbiology and immunology.
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of their chosen area of study and how their hypothesis may contribute to the wider field of microbiology and immunology.
- Critique and synthesize findings from scientific literature to enhance and inform their research proposals.
- Interpret and justify their research findings through thorough analysis, discussion, and defense.
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| MIP 700 | Topics in Microbiology 1 | 4 |
| MIP 792A | Seminar: Research/Graduate 2 | 4 |
| MIP 799 | Dissertation | 17 |
| Select one course from the following: | 1 | |
| Ethical Conduct of Research | ||
| Ethical Issues in Big Data Research | ||
| Research Policies and Regulations | ||
| A total of 30 credits can be applied from an MS or DVM degree | 30 | |
| Electives (Select a minimum of 16 credits from the lists below): 3 | 16 | |
| General Electives: | ||
| Graduate Fellowship Proposal Preparation | ||
| Fundamentals of Biosafety and Biosecurity | ||
| Grant Writing for Microbiology/Pathology | ||
| Writing Scientific Manuscripts | ||
| Research Team Mentoring | ||
| Virology Electives: | ||
| Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonoses | ||
| RNA Biology | ||
| Bacteriology Electives: | ||
| Microbial and Molecular Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Bacterial Pathogenesis: Introduction to Mechanisms | ||
| Bacterial Pathogenesis: Mechanisms and Lifestyle | ||
| Bacterial Pathogenesis: Evading Host Defenses | ||
| Vector Biology Electives: | ||
| Vector Collection and Identification Methods | ||
| Molecular and Genomic Approaches Electives: | ||
| RNA Biology | ||
| Microbial Metagenomics/Genomics Data Analysis | ||
| Next Generation Sequencing Platform/Libraries | ||
| Functional Genomics | ||
| Immunology Electives: | ||
| Flow Cytometry for Immunology | ||
| Pillars of Immunology | ||
| Immunobiology | ||
| Principles of Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting | ||
| Pathology Electives: | ||
| Advanced Bioanalytic Pathology | ||
| Comparative Neuropathology | ||
| Cytopathology--Clinical Pathology | ||
| Advanced General Pathology | ||
| Advanced Clinical Pathology | ||
| Pathobiology of Laboratory Animals | ||
| Laboratory Animal Pathology Rotation | ||
| Courses Offered by Other Departments: | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | ||
| Cell and Tissue Engineering | ||
| Mammalian Physiology I | ||
| Mammalian Physiology II | ||
| Linux as a Computational Platform | ||
| Genomics Data Analysis in Python | ||
| RNA-Sequencing Data Analysis | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| R Programming for Research | ||
| Cancer Genetics | ||
| STEM Communication | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
MIP 700 should be taken for a minimum of 4 credits.
- 2
MIP 792A should be taken for a minimum of 4 credits.
- 3
A minimum of 13 credits must be regular courses with the MIP subject code prefix. Regular course work is defined as courses other than independent or group studies, thesis/dissertation credits, supervised college teaching, unique titled courses offered through the Division of Continuing Education, and any courses graded pass/fail.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |