Students interested in Microbiology and Immunology are encouraged to select the elective offered by the department in the first semester. Masters students complete all course requirements during their first year of study. In the second year of study doctoral students undertake advanced and elective courses in microbiology and immunology. All students must complete an original investigation indicating knowledge of research methods and demonstrating an ability to conduct scientific research on an independent basis. Faculty members in the department who have M.D.'s also have appointments in various clinical departments, thus permitting direct access to patients of interest.
Departmental graduates have a strong record of continuing academic appointments.
Research Facilities Facilities of the department include approximately 15,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in the Basic Sciences-College of Dental Medicine Building. Students and faculty have access to various university resources including a fluorescence-activated cell sorter facility, DNA and protein sequencing facility, peptide synthesis facility, transgenic mouse facility, and mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance facility. Subsequently, all doctoral students receive assistantships that are funded by their mentor's research projects. Living and Housing Costs Off-campus rooms and apartments are available at a wide range of costs for students attending the Medical University of South Carolina. The majority of the University's student body is native to South Carolina, although students come from many other states and countries.