The Department of Immunology and Microbiology offers a diversified program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Master of Science degree is available only under special circumstances.
Postdoctoral training is available and is strongly encouraged in the department.
The department s full-time faculty are augmented by adjunct faculty affiliated with the Karmanos Cancer Institute and the hospitals of the Detroit Medical Center . Areas of specialization include mucosal immunity, autoimmunity, immunopathology, bacterial physiology, bacterial genetics, molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, molecular virology, genetic basis of viral pathogenesis, and cancer biology. During the first year, as part of the interdisciplinary biomedical sciences curriculum, most students enroll in basic courses in cellular and molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, and virology. Participation in the journal clubs and seminars and rotation through laboratories provide an opportunity to become familiar with the faculty and other students while earning additional credits. Dissertation research commonly begins during the first summer of graduate study and continues through the remaining years in the program.