The second year of study comprises required and elective courses in Microbiology and Immunology for a total of at least 24 hours of formal course work toward the Ph.D. degree. The program in microbiology and immunology is designed to provide a broad background in modern virology, molecular and cellular immunology, molecular genetics and pathogenesis, functional genomics, and biotechnology. Research experience in a specific area provides the basis for a dissertation. Emphasis is on basic research aimed at understanding molecular mechanisms of microbial and parasitic infections and the defenses mounted by the immune system. Students whose interests are primarily in diagnostic or taxonomic aspects of microbiology are not encouraged to apply.
Doctoral study is emphasized.
In some cases, students may elect to proceed only to the thesis-only M.S. degree upon the approval of the Graduate Education Committee in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Experimental Methods in Microbiology. Admission to course, hours, and credit by arrangement. Microbes and Immunity. A lecture series on selected topics.