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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Offered By: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Onsite | Full-Time | 5 years

• MAS Application Fee Waiver Requirements
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About the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Program

Through a departmental core curriculum as well as research area-specific courses, laboratory rotations, qualifying examinations, mentored research, and professional development, all MMI PhD students are prepared to engage in cutting edge research and scholarship that advances knowledge. MMI PhD students hone their scholarship, research and professional skills. Course and laboratory work can address problems in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, disease transmission, and diseases related to malaria, mosquito and arboviral biology.

Students can choose to complete the traditional MMI PhD program or the MMI PhD program concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R 3 IM). The concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R 3 IM) conveys a broad background in immunology and infectious diseases research, with a special emphasis on critical thinking, logic, ethics, and written and oral skills to help graduates become communicators of complex scientific concepts and agents of change in their workplaces and communities.

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Molecular Microbiology And Immunology?

Sample careers.

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate
• Science Communicator or Writer
• Scientist (academia, industry)
• Specialist in Science Regulatory Affairs
• Faculty, Professor
• Science Advocate (nonprofit agencies)
• Public Health Service (NIH, CDC, FDA)
• Science Policy Fellow

Curriculum for the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Current students can view the MMI student handbook on the MMI portal site.

Topic Areas

MMI faculty are recognized experts in a wide variety of infectious diseases research areas, allowing our PhD students to study the biology of disease based on their research interests and career goals. Our PhD students gain a comprehensive understanding of infectious diseases that provides a foundation to launch careers that directly tackle critical public health challenges.  

Topic Areas include: 

• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Cell biology 
• Fungal pathogenesis 
• Medical entomology/Disease ecology
• Parasite pathogenesis 
• Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice
• Tick-borne diseases
• Vaccine development 
• Vector biology
• Viral pathogenesis

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are  optional  for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2023. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2023 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

All full-time PhD students will receive the following support for all years of the program: stipend, full tuition, individual health insurance, University Health Services clinic fee, vision insurance, and dental insurance.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU  starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Alex Kim , Senior Academic Program Coordinator  Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 615 North Wolfe Street, Room E5014 Baltimore, Maryland 21205 Fax: (410) 955-0105

Microbiology, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Microbiology

The PhD program in microbiology offers a dynamic research environment; a broad range of basic, translational and use-inspired research areas; advanced transdisciplinary training; and opportunities to work with world-class faculty and collaborative research partners committed to training scientific leaders with skills necessary for addressing significant global microbiological problems and challenges.

This program focuses on the smallest of living things and immunology. Students can tailor the program around their interests and gain skills in contemporary approaches used in microbiology, biomedicine and biotechnology. They train in a broad array of fields, including microbial ecology and evolution, geomicrobiology, bacterial physiology and genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, metabolic engineering, immunology and vaccine development, and cancer biology.

Faculty members are associated with the School of Life Sciences, The Biodesign Institute, The Translational Genomics Institute, Barrow Neurological Institute, and other area hospitals and research centers.

Interdisciplinary partners within ASU

Participating faculty members and researchers come from many departments, colleges, centers and institutes across the university.

• ASU School of Life Sciences
• ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• ASU The Biodesign Institute
• ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
• ASU School for Energy, Material and Transport Engineering

Interdisciplinary parters outside ASU

• St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center/Barrow Neurological Institute
• Carl T. Hayden Veteran's Administration Medical Center
• Mayo Clinic in Arizona
• Translational Genomics Research Institute
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
• Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Program Faculty   PhD Students

Courses and electives

Elective courses (6 - 24 credit hours).

• MIC 791 Seminar: Virology Journal Club
• MIC 598  Special Topics: Immun: Molecular and Cell Foundations
• MIC 598 Special Topics: Advanced Immunology
• MCB 791  Seminar: Molecular Virology Journal Club 
• BIO 611 Topics Resp Conduct Research: Emerging Technologies Life Science
• MIC 598: Immunology: Molecular & Cellular Foundations
• MIC 598: General Virology
• MIC 598: Advanced Immunology
• MIC 598: Bacterial Diversity and Systematics
• MIC 598: Novel Models for Host-Microbe Interactions
• MIC 598: Bioinformatic Analysis of High-throughput DNA Data
• MIC 598: Bacterial Pathogenesis
• MIC 598: Geomicrobiology
• MIC 598: Microbial Ecology and Evolution
• MIC 598: Viromics 

Application and admission information

How to apply.

Applications open September 1 for admission in Fall of the following year. The application deadline is December 1. We accept applications for Fall semesters only. We cannot guarantee that applications received after the December 1 deadline will be considered for admission.

All applicants must apply by filling out ASU's Graduate Admissions application. All application materials must be submitted through the application or to Graduate Admissions directly. Please do not mail or email any documents to the School of Life Sciences. 

• Required materials and information include the following:
• 1-2 page personal statement
• An up to date CV or resume
• The names of relevant SOLS faculty you have been in touch with who you might be interested in being supervised by
• Unofficial transcripts and English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
• The names and emails of at least 3 recommenders to write you letters of recommendation

Application review process and timeline

Following the December 1 deadline, faculty will begin reviewing applications. Applicants should monitor their My ASU priority tasks to ensure there are no missing materials in their application.

Faculty will decide which applicants they would like to invite to our Graduate Recruitment Weekends (GRWs), typically held in February. Applicants will hear from the School of Life Sciences in January if they are invited to participate in the GRWs.

Admission decisions will begin after the GRWs, and applicants typically receive final decisions by April 1.

Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission include the following:

• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• There are other ways to demonstrate English proficiency beyond the tests, so please refer to ASU's English proficiency webpage to review how you might satisfy requirements

Desired qualifications typically seen in competitive candidates:

• Research experience and a letter of recommendation from a faculty research supervisor
• English proficiency scores that meet these teaching assistant language proficiency requirements

Please note that the GRE is not required.

Students offered admission to a PhD program in the School of Life Sciences will typically receive a funding offer as well. While individual funding offers may differ to some degree, they typically include teaching assistant and/or research assistant positions each semester (summer optional) for 5 years. These positions provide financial coverage through the following:

• A standard salary stipend paid biweekly
• Tuition remission covering enrollment in 6-18 credit hours for fall and spring semesters and 1-14 credit hours for summer semesters
• Health insurance coverage

To discover more, check out the ASU Graduate College's funding opportunities !

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (4 credit hours) BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research in Life Sciences (1) MIC 501 Foundations in Microbiology (3)

Electives or Research (68 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MIC 799 Dissertation (12)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in the biological sciences, biochemistry or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants must submit the following:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• academic record form
• personal statement
• curriculum vitae or resume
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Prior research experience is a desired qualification for admission.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, learning outcomes.

• Able to review the scholarly literature associated with research questions in microbiology.
• Able to design and execute a research plan in an area of microbiology under advisement of their mentors.
• Able to communicate science effectively, both orally and in writing.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program's intense and interactive educational and research training are prepared for advanced careers in research and education, specifically in bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology and oncology.

Career possibilities are diverse, with opportunities in academic organizations, research and development industries, government service and other professional organizations. Examples include:

• instructors in universities and colleges
• principal investigators in government labs and nonprofit organizations
• professors in universities and colleges
• research associates in universities
• research scientists in industry

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-1768

Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Programs in America

1-25 of 148 results

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, CA •

Stanford University •

Graduate School

• • Rating 5 out of 5   3 reviews

Doctoral Student: I begin in the Fall of 2023--Based on my interview, and pre-classes I have taken this program is amazing. It is very student-centered. ... Read 3 reviews

Stanford University ,

Graduate School ,

STANFORD, CA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says I begin in the Fall of 2023--Based on my interview, and pre-classes I have taken this program is amazing. It is very student-centered. .

Read 3 reviews.

Yale School of Medicine

New Haven, CT •

Yale University •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: So far, the interactions I have had with the administration are all positive. Administrators are very responsive and knowledgeable and helpful. ... Read 5 reviews

Yale University ,

NEW HAVEN, CT ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says So far, the interactions I have had with the administration are all positive. Administrators are very responsive and knowledgeable and helpful. .

Read 5 reviews.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Boston, MA •

Harvard University •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   11 reviews

Current Master's student: It is a place where there is no lack for exciting opportunities. The classes are intellectually stimulating and challenging. ... Read 11 reviews

Harvard University ,

BOSTON, MA ,

11 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says It is a place where there is no lack for exciting opportunities. The classes are intellectually stimulating and challenging. .

Read 11 reviews.

Mississippi State University

Graduate School •

MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS

• • Rating 4.51 out of 5   49

Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

University of Pittsburgh •

PITTSBURGH, PA

University of Pittsburgh

• • Rating 4.43 out of 5   74

Harvard Medical School

• • Rating 4.94 out of 5   16 reviews

Other: Harvard is my dream school. Next year I will graduate the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Then I will applying to Harvard Medical School. If I accepted by this school, I will try my best of the best….. ... Read 16 reviews

16 Niche users give it an average review of 4.9 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Harvard is my dream school. Next year I will graduate the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Then I will applying to Harvard Medical School. If I accepted by this school, I will try... .

Read 16 reviews.

Duke University School of Medicine

Durham, NC •

Duke University •

• • Rating 4.76 out of 5   17 reviews

Doctoral Student: Professors are incredible, always willing to go the extra mile to help students succeed. Curriculum is designed to prepare students to be successful therapists. This program is truly incredible. ... Read 17 reviews

Duke University ,

DURHAM, NC ,

17 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says Professors are incredible, always willing to go the extra mile to help students succeed. Curriculum is designed to prepare students to be successful therapists. This program is truly incredible. .

Read 17 reviews.

Perelman School of Medicine

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: I am a first year, but I love Penn and my MPH program so much! I've never been surrounded by so many like-minded individuals before in my life. ... Read 5 reviews

University of Pennsylvania ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am a first year, but I love Penn and my MPH program so much! I've never been surrounded by so many like-minded individuals before in my life. .

• Find college scholarships

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Nashville, TN •

Vanderbilt University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Graduate Student: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Loved my experience! Great teachers, easy to access, clear cut goals in class, great clinical experiences. ... Read 2 reviews

Vanderbilt University ,

NASHVILLE, TN ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Loved my experience! Great teachers, easy to access, clear cut goals in class, great clinical experiences. .

Read 2 reviews.

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

St. Louis, MO •

Washington University in St. Louis •

• • Rating 4.73 out of 5   15 reviews

Doctoral Student: So far, my experience had been amazing! The drive and parking are not the best, but the students and staff are very good. ... Read 15 reviews

Washington University in St. Louis ,

ST. LOUIS, MO ,

15 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says So far, my experience had been amazing! The drive and parking are not the best, but the students and staff are very good. .

Read 15 reviews.

Geisel School of Medicine

Hanover, NH •

Dartmouth College •

Current Doctoral student: Geisel is an incredible school with very passionate faculty who go out of their way to help every student find success, which is extremely rare among medical schools. Whether it be research, residency, or clinicals, I have never encountered a group of individuals so committed by default to students they may not have even met before. The match list speaks for itself; most students depart to their top choice hospitals across the country every year. On top of it all, the Upper Valley is one of the nicest areas to live in the Northeast. It has an abundance of natural beauty, is within a couple of hours of many ski mountains, two hours from Boston, and a lot of growth in the past decade has led to the creation of many cute little locally owned businesses, restaurants, and bars that are frequented by Dartmouth students. I chose Geisel of a number of other schools and have never regretted my decision once. ... Read 3 reviews

Dartmouth College ,

HANOVER, NH ,

Featured Review: Current Doctoral student says Geisel is an incredible school with very passionate faculty who go out of their way to help every student find success, which is extremely rare among medical schools. Whether it be research,... .

Division of Biology and Biological Engineering - California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA •

California Institute of Technology •

California Institute of Technology ,

PASADENA, CA ,

Biological Sciences Division - University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

University of Chicago •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Master's Student: So far so good. Nothing out of the ordinary. Professors are knowledgeable. I would say to ensure that you know your interests and work closely with the advisors to pick suitable classes. ... Read 1 review

University of Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says So far so good. Nothing out of the ordinary. Professors are knowledgeable. I would say to ensure that you know your interests and work closely with the advisors to pick suitable classes. .

Read 1 reviews.

Keck School of Medicine

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   7 reviews

Current Master's student: The Keck School of Medicine's Translational Genomics Program is a rigorous and comprehensive program that provides students with a strong foundation in genomics research and its applications. The program offers excellent resources and facilities for students, including state-of-the-art laboratories and access to cutting-edge technology. The faculty are knowledgeable and supportive, and the curriculum is well-structured and challenging. there are some areas where the program could be improved. One concern is the safety of the area surrounding the campus, which can be a bit dangerous. It would be beneficial for the program to improve security measures in order to ensure the safety of students and faculty. In addition, the program currently does not offer on-campus job opportunities, which can be challenging for international students who are not eligible to work off-campus. ... Read 7 reviews

University of Southern California ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

7 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The Keck School of Medicine's Translational Genomics Program is a rigorous and comprehensive program that provides students with a strong foundation in genomics research and its applications. The... In addition, the program currently does not offer on-campus job opportunities, which can be challenging for international students who are not eligible to work off-campus. .

Read 7 reviews.

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Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Ithaca, NY •

Cornell University •

Cornell University ,

ITHACA, NY ,

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

• • Rating 4 out of 5   4 reviews

Graduate Student: Incredibly difficult, rigorous program, with not much sympathy from the educators or admin regarding the heavy workload and pressure. However, the wellbeing situation is improving, and the college has the right attitude towards improving conditions for its students. The school's name comes with heavy weight in the working world, and I feel privileged to be a student here, though could do without the crazy stress! The campus, faculty, and facilities are top-notch, and not needing to purchase textbooks due to there always being copies on reserve in the library is a huge bonus. The Ithaca area is an expensive place to live, but Cornell vet has a dedicated financial aid person and registrar and it's very easy to communicate with them and student services to get the support you need. The Dean's office is heavily involved with the student body and makes a point to reach out personally to struggling students. ... Read 4 reviews

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Incredibly difficult, rigorous program, with not much sympathy from the educators or admin regarding the heavy workload and pressure. However, the wellbeing situation is improving, and the college... The campus, faculty, and facilities are top-notch, and not needing to purchase textbooks due to there always being copies on reserve in the library is a huge bonus. The Ithaca area is an expensive... The Dean's office is heavily involved with the student body and makes a point to reach out personally to struggling students. .

Read 4 reviews.

Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences

New York, NY •

• • Rating 4.75 out of 5   4 reviews

Doctoral Student: The coursework was relevant, a little disjointed but good. There could be a wider range of courses that would be great, but it’s nice that we can take courses from other universities. ... Read 4 reviews

NEW YORK, NY ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The coursework was relevant, a little disjointed but good. There could be a wider range of courses that would be great, but it’s nice that we can take courses from other universities. .

University of Michigan Medical School

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

Current Doctoral student: University of Michigan Medical School offers an exceptional medical education experience. What is unique about Michigan medical school is the innovative focus they have on their curriculum and culture of continuous improvement. The pre-clinical curriculum is only 12 months, which allows students to start their core clinical rotations in their second year. This affords students the opportunity to gain and improve upon clinical skills early, have more time to do research and cultivate career interests, and builds a foundation of knowledge that makes the students some of the best clinically trained in the country. Not only is the student body full of people with diverse, impressive accomplishments and experiences, but the culture is one where students genuinely value and support each other. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

Featured Review: Current Doctoral student says University of Michigan Medical School offers an exceptional medical education experience. What is unique about Michigan medical school is the innovative focus they have on their curriculum and... .

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Nw Washington, DC •

Georgetown University •

Doctoral Student: Compressed pre-clinical work. Administration has been working on finding better and better educators, as well as hiring more learning specialists for the student body. Could have more focus on Step 1 and Step 2 preparation. ... Read 4 reviews

Georgetown University ,

NW WASHINGTON, DC ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says Compressed pre-clinical work. Administration has been working on finding better and better educators, as well as hiring more learning specialists for the student body. Could have more focus on Step 1... .

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - Tufts University

Tufts University •

Tufts University ,

David Geffen School of Medicine

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Alum: It was excellent. Opportunities were bountiful. I had the opportunity to rotate at sites that included RRMC, VA, Oliveview County Hospital, Harbor County Hospital, and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. I was to develop deep and rewarding relationships with mentors which helped me to match at my first choice program for residency. Training in SoCal is also a plus. Fortunately, the school provided subsidized student housing which made living in West LA very affordable. ... Read 1 review

University of California - Los Angeles ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says It was excellent. Opportunities were bountiful. I had the opportunity to rotate at sites that included RRMC, VA, Oliveview County Hospital, Harbor County Hospital, and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. I... .

University of Virginia School of Medicine

Charlottesville, VA •

University of Virginia •

University of Virginia ,

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA ,

UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources

Berkeley, CA •

University of California - Berkeley •

Blue checkmark.

University of California - Berkeley ,

BERKELEY, CA ,

School of Medicine - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC •

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Graduate Student: UNC is a great school and has a wonderful public health program. Gillings is a very collaborative environment and the faculty are very engaged with students. ... Read 2 reviews

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ,

CHAPEL HILL, NC ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says UNC is a great school and has a wonderful public health program. Gillings is a very collaborative environment and the faculty are very engaged with students. .

NYU School of Medicine

New York University •

New York University ,

College of Natural Sciences

Austin, TX •

University of Texas - Austin •

University of Texas - Austin ,

AUSTIN, TX ,

UF College of Medicine

Gainesville, FL •

University of Florida •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   8 reviews

Doctoral Student: The Academics are strong at UFCOM and graduates are very well-trained and tend to do well in residency. Some professors are elite and well-renowned. Specifically, human anatomy lab is very strong at UFCOM. Some lectures can be improved, and especially exams in the first two years, as sometimes the tested material was subjective and poorly written. The exam questions were all written by the lecturers based on their lectures, rather than including NBME-style questions to better prepare us for our boards exams. Clinical rotations are strong at UF Health and we get wide clinical exposure. ... Read 8 reviews

University of Florida ,

GAINESVILLE, FL ,

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The Academics are strong at UFCOM and graduates are very well-trained and tend to do well in residency. Some professors are elite and well-renowned. Specifically, human anatomy lab is very strong at... .

Read 8 reviews.

Tulane University

NEW ORLEANS, LA

• • Rating 4.17 out of 5   35

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - Graduate Studies

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1

Miami University - College of Arts and Sciences

Miami University •

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• Microbiology

The Graduate Program in Microbiology is a multidepartmental, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in training and research in the study of microorganisms and their effects on their hosts. The faculty of the program share the view that understanding the biology of microorganisms requires a multidisciplinary approach; therefore, the Microbiology graduate program emphasizes the need for strong multidisciplinary training. The program is designed to provide individualized education in modern microbiology and to prepare students for independent careers in research and teaching. Students can specialize in various areas, including bacteriology, virology, microbe-host interactions, microbial pathogenesis, cell biology and immunobiology of microbial infections, microbial genetics and physiology, structural biology, parasitology, microbiome, and microbial ecology and evolution.

• Programs of Study
• PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
• Department of Microbial Pathogenesis

Director of Graduate Studies

• [email protected]

Jennifer Atchley

Departmental Registrar (on leave February - August 2024)

• [email protected]
• 203-737-1087

Marneshia Bullock

Departmental Registrar (Temporary, February - August 2024)

• [email protected]

Admission Requirements

Standardized testing requirements.

GRE is not accepted.

English Language Requirement

TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English. BBS requires a score of at least 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based exam, and 100 on the internet-based exam. Please take the test no later than November and no earlier than 24 months prior to submitting your application. Use institution code 3987 when reporting your scores; you may enter any department code.

You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.

Admission Information

Microbiology participates in the Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) , and applicants interested in pursuing a degree in cell biology should apply to the Microbiology Track within BBS.

Academic Information

Program Advising Guidelines

GSAS Advising Guidelines

Academic Resources

Academic calendar.

The Graduate School's academic calendar lists important dates and deadlines related to coursework, registration, financial processes, and milestone events such as graduation.

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Registration Information and Dates

https://registration.yale.edu/

Students must register every term in which they are enrolled in the Graduate School. Registration for a given term takes place the semester prior, and so it's important to stay on top of your academic plan. The University Registrar's Office oversees the systems that students use to register. Instructions about how to use those systems and the dates during which registration occurs can be found on their registration website.

Financial Information

Phd stipend & funding.

PhD students at Yale are normally full-funded for a minimum of five years. During that time, our students receive a twelve-month stipend to cover living expenses and a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and student healthcare.

• PhD Student Funding Overview
• Graduate Financial Aid Office
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Alumni Insights

Below you will find alumni placement data for our departments and programs.

Graduate Program

The Microbiology Graduate PhD Program is an MIT-wide program that is designed to provide students with broad exposure to modern areas of microbiology and depth in the chosen area of thesis work.

There are more than 50 faculty in 10 different departments and divisions that study microbes. Graduate students admitted to the program will join a vibrant, thriving microbiology community on the MIT campus and will receive training in a broad range of areas in microbiology.

The major components of the training program are described in in this section, along with information on life as a graduate student at MIT.

“Is the MIT Microbiology Graduate Program the right program for me?”

This is a question we often hear, especially if applicants are considering or applying to other departments within MIT.  As you can see from our website, we have over 60 faculty from over 10 different departments participating in the Microbiology Graduate Program.

One way to help you decide where best to apply is for you to determine whether all, or almost all, of the faculty in whose research you are interested are in one department.  If that is the case, applying to that individual department would be more appropriate.  If you are equally interested in faculty and labs from different departments, then a program like MIT Microbiology can provide you the flexibility to bridge different departments and disciplines, both in your coursework and your research.

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Ph.D. in Microbiology

• M.S. in Microbiology
• Master’s of Microbiology (M.M.)
• Master of Microbial Biotechnology (M.M.B.)
• Graduate Minor in Microbiology
• Research Areas
• Research Facilities
• Research Awards
• Microbiomes and Complex Microbial Cluster
• BeeMORE Program

Student Resources

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest degree offered by the Microbiology Graduate Program (MGP). The goal of our doctoral program is to provide students with the foundation necessary to pursue a career in a university, industry or research institute setting.

Students in our doctoral program are trained to recognize significant biological problems, design experimental approaches for solving these problems and communicate their results to the scientific community and the public.

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Review Our Admission Requirements and Apply Now! 

The requirements listed below are the minimum requirements to be met by all students in our Ph.D. program. A student’s advisory committee may recommend additional requirements as deemed appropriate, based on a student’s background and research plans.

Curriculum and Courses

The Microbiology Graduate Programs at NC State are interdisciplinary. Our Ph.D. students take many courses taught by MGP faculty, as well as elective courses offered in numerous disciplines and departments across campus, including Biochemistry , Biotechnology , Animal Science , Food Science and Genetics . Our Ph.D. curriculum allows for flexibility Doctoral students will have completed at least 72 credits by the end of their fourth year in the program.

All microbiology graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP; tuition and health benefits) also requires continuous enrollment, meaning all graduate students must enroll for a minimum of nine credits in each Fall and Spring semester to qualify. After the first year, most of these are Research credits.

Required Course Credits for a Ph.D. in Microbiology

Required courses.

As listed above, students are required to register for the following:

MB 500s-700s – Microbiology Courses

Students are required to take 12 graduate-level, letter-graded microbiology (MB) credits. Courses are 3 credits each.

MGP students are able to take courses that focus on the various specialized disciplines of microbiology, including bacterial physiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics and virology. Prior experience can impact which courses a student can enroll in.

Prerequisites in biochemistry are required for many of these courses, so we recommend that all microbiology graduate students have the equivalent of introductory biochemistry ( BCH 553 ) at NC State early in the curriculum.

An example of courses that fit into two of many different microbiology “tracks” or concentrations:

Mb 870 – laboratory research rotations.

Doctoral students supported by a teaching or research assistantship are required to participate in a minimum of two research rotations , allowing them to experience the types of research performed in MGP faculty member’s laboratories and choose a research area of high interest to them. An additional rotation is possible, with approval from the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) and the respective faculty.

Research rotations take place each year from July through the end of the Fall semester. Students earn 1 credit (MB 870) for both laboratory rotations, and their performance is formally evaluated by the principal investigator of the laboratory. Students must also provide a written or oral report about their rotation experience. Following their last research rotation, students may choose a laboratory for their dissertation research.

Although doctoral students supported by a stipend funded from a faculty grant or other source are not required to participate in the research rotations, they may choose to do so with approval from the principal investigators. We encourage all students to review MGP  faculty pages and meet with faculty before deciding upon a specific lab for their rotation.

MB 886 – Teaching Experience

A minimum teaching responsibility is part of the requirements for a Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from NC State. Students must serve as a laboratory teaching assistant for at least one semester in an NCSU on-campus course. Prior teaching experience in an M.S. program will be considered to fulfill this requirement. One credit of MB 886 is provided for each semester the student teaches.

The teaching requirement should be fulfilled at the earliest possible time in the graduate program. Example courses approved for fulfilling the teaching requirement are: MB 352, MB 412, MB 452 and BIO 181. Specific tools for enhancing teaching effectiveness are provided for teaching assistants, including workshops and constructive evaluation by the instructor and the students.

MB 801 – Seminar in Microbiology

The MGP requires all graduate students to attend Microbiology seminars throughout their degree program. All Ph.D. students must register for at least two semesters (two credits) of seminar.

MB 893/895 – Microbiology Research

MB 893 and MB 895 provide credit for research students perform in our Ph.D. program.  Students register for MB 893 prior to passing their Preliminary Exam , after which they may sign-up for a variable number of MB 895 credits each semester. A minimum of six credits is required for the Ph.D. degree. However, this is a research-intensive degree, so many credits will end up being for research (MB 895 Microbiology Research).

Other Professional Development

All our graduate students are required to attend either the Microbiology course in Professional Development and Responsible Conduct of Research, or a similar module offered in related programs (BIT, GN, etc.). One credit hour is required.

Elective Graduate Courses

Doctoral students can choose to take other courses offered by departments and programs throughout NC State (Biochemistry, Genetics, Statistics, etc.). Selection of elective courses is done by the student, in consultation with and approval by the advisory committee. Letter graded or satisfactory/unsatisfactory course formats can be used.

Below are examples of elective courses available. The graduate catalog  should be consulted for the current comprehensive listing.

• BAE 525 – Industrial Microbiology & Bioprocessing
• BCH 553 – Biochemistry of Gene Expression
• BCH 701 – Macromolecular Structure
• BCH 703 – Macromolecular Synthesis and Regulation
• BCH 705 – Molecular Biology of the Cell
• BIT 510 – Core Technologies in Biotechnology
• BIT 595X  – Advanced Modules in Biotechnology
• GN 513 – Advanced Genetics
• GN 701 – Molecular Genetics
• GN 735 – Functional Genomics
• GN 850  – Professionalism and Ethics
• MB(PP) 730  – Fungal Genetics and Physiology
• MB 610  – Special Topics in Microbiology
• MB 620  – Special Problems
• MB 801  – Seminar in Microbiology
• MB 705  – Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy
• MB(IMM) 783 – Advanced Immunology
• MB 790I  – Practical Digital Imaging

Advisory Committees

Doctoral students are required to select a dissertation advisor before the end of their second semester (until then, the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) serves as a temporary advisor). By the end of their first year, each student must also have selected a graduate advisory committee with the help of their dissertation advisor. Advisory committee’s will consist of a student’s dissertation advisor, at least two additional faculty members from the MGP and one faculty member who holds a graduate faculty appointment in another program.

All required committee members must hold appointments within the Graduate School at NC State. Students may select scientists who are not members of the Graduate School faculty (e.g., adjunct faculty, industry scientists) for their committee, but it is in addition to the required members. Graduate advisory committees must meet no less than once a year.

Graduate Plan of Work (PoW)

A Graduate Plan of Work (PoW) will include all courses, a tentative dissertation title and an anticipated timetable for taking each course. Students and their dissertation advisors will informally outline the PoW as soon as possible. The plan will be submitted for approval to and/or amendment by the student’s advisory committee. Then the PoW will be formally submitted to the graduate school by the end of the student’s third semester at NC State.

Visit the Graduate School website for more information about the graduate PoW .

Annual Research Progress Reports

The MGP will facilitate scheduling an annual meeting of the student’s advisory committee, at which the student will make an oral presentation and submit a written report on their laboratory research. A Graduate Student Progress Evaluation Form will be completed by the advisory committee. A satisfactory evaluation will be necessary for the student to receive assistantship support and/or be able to register for the next semester.

Dissertation and Defense

All Ph.D. students must write a dissertation on their research and this must conform to the regulations laid down in the NCSU “Thesis and Dissertation Guide.” The content and structure of the dissertation must be approved by the advisory committee, and all degree candidates are expected to prepare their research results for publication prior to completing their program. Doctoral candidates who have completed their research and other degree requirements (72 credit hours) may enroll in MB 899 (Dissertation Preparation) while they are writing their dissertation. All Ph.D. candidates must also present a seminar hosted by the MGP prior to defending their dissertation. Subject to the satisfactory defense of the Ph.D. dissertation, the advisory committee will approve it for transmittal to the Graduate School.

Course Catalog

Explore our course offerings and microbiology course descriptions 

Review our admission requirements and apply now! 

Discover some of the helpful resources available to MGP students 

Fill out our interest form and we will be in touch! 

Georgetown University Medical Center

PhD in Microbiology & Immunology

Through the PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, students will learn the dynamics of the host/parasite relationship, including the host defense systems, and the relationship of microorganisms to diseases. Upon graduation, students will have a firm foundation in methods, tools, and techniques for a career in research as well as mentorship from Georgetown University faculty who are leading experts in the field.

Our PhD program is customized to the student’s interests. Upon entering the program, students will meet with their advisors to plan their coursework and select laboratories for research rotations.

PhD students can receive merit-based aid through fellowship and assistantship awards. The awards cover tuition, stipend, student health insurance, and mandatory fees. An average of 2 students are awarded each year. Visit the Biomedical Graduate Education website for more information on PhD Funding.

Learn about the application process and requirements.

Learn about the required exams, research rotations, courses, and PhD Dissertation here.

Check the list of required and elective courses.

Course Schedule

Find an example course schedule.

Student Resources

Browse resources and opportunities for our students.

Get more information about the program and department.

Career Advancement

Our students benefit from the services of the Biomedical Graduate Education career office, including one-on-one advising, skills workshops, leadership programs and more to help them take the next step in their professions.

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Microbiology (PhD)

Ohio State offers training in virtually every aspect of modern microbiology. Our PhD program in microbiology offers an individualized approach to graduate study in one of the nation's largest teaching and research institutions. You will actively participate in planning your graduate program while working with colleagues from around the world.

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• Microbiology, Ph.D.

The Department of Bacteriology in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine and Public Health (see separate course listings) administer the interdepartmental microbiology doctoral training program (MDTP). Incoming students have the opportunity to do laboratory rotations with any of the primary faculty, affiliate faculty, and trainers from multiple departments. This group includes more than 90 faculty members in numerous departments and programs involved in microbiology research and graduate training. In addition to this breadth of opportunities in microbiology research training, the program also encompasses graduate courses offered by both departments. Please refer to the separate Microbiology listing in this catalog for more detailed information, or visit the program website.

The Ph.D. program prepares graduates for research and teaching positions in universities and colleges, for industry or government, and for clinical microbiology. Research emphasis includes, but is not limited to, prokaryotic (bacteria and archaea), viral and lower eukaryotic systems (fungi, oomycetes, and parasites); antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, bioflim formation; bioinformatics and computational biology; biotechnology and industrial microbiology, including biofuels; cell–cell signaling; cell motility and chemotaxis; DNA, including nucleic acid synthesis, DNA replication and recombination; food microbiology; fungal development, pathogensis, and metablolism; gene expression and its regulation; immunology; microbial physiology and metabolism; macrophage activation and other cell immune systems; mechanisms of microbial persistence; mechanisms of pathogenesis; microbial cell division; microbial ecology; microbial microbiota and metagenomics; nitrogen fixation; quorum sensing; RNA, including molecular structure–function relationships of transfer RNA, small RNAs, RNA polymerase, and other components of transcription and translation; secondary metabolism; structural microbiology; symbioses, including host–microbe symbioses, plant–microbial interactions, animal–microbial interactions, microbe–microbe interactions; and virology, including host–virus interactions. Dissertation research emphasizes creative and innovative problem-solving using basic knowledge acquired through scientific interactions and collaborations in addition to a thorough understanding of the scientific literature.

In order to better train MDTP students for microbiology-related professions, students need a chance to gain knowledge and experience not just in academic research, but also in other fields where their microbiology education may be put to good use.

The professional development options encompass many professional development opportunities for MDTP students beyond academic research and teaching. Opportunities for professional development can consist of course work, an internship, a summer workshop, outreach experiences, or a second teaching-practicum experience.

Double Degree

Students may complete a double Ph.D. degree in MDTP and another program on campus under the following conditions. The student must apply for admission to MDTP by the program's yearly deadline and be admitted using the same criteria applied to other applicants. The student must complete all requirements of the MDTP in addition to the requirements for the other program sponsoring the double degree. The student must pass a different preliminary examination in each program. The student's dissertation committee and preliminary examination must adhere to MDTP guidelines. The Ph.D. advisor must be a trainer in the MDTP. A significant portion of the student's dissertation research must be completed in the laboratory of the Ph.D. advisor. The student's program, including any deviations, must be approved by the steering committee.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Program APPLICATION MATERIALS

Note that all application materials are submitted through the UW Graduate School Admissions Office. See the Microbiology program website for more information and guidance for the application components.

• Personal statement, also known as “Statement of Purpose”.
• A statement of applicant’s experiences and ambitions that will contribute to the program's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• An official or unofficial copy of transcripts from each college or university attended.
• Three or more letters of reference from individuals (faculty, staff, supervisor, mentor) who can comment on the applicant’s qualifications.  This should include scholarly and academic qualifications, and can also include experiences in teaching, outreach, and community service.  Directions for submission will be provided once you have initiated your application.
• A brief resume/CV listing academic awards, scholarships, location and length of research experiences, co-authorship on any publications or presentations at scientific conferences.
• Any student whose undergraduate instruction was not in English should also submit results of the TOEFL examination. The code for the University of Wisconsin-Madison is 1846.

This program is a research-intensive program. Therefore, strong letters of recommendation, a well-crafted personal statement, and extensive research experience often aid students with below-average grades.

Course Prerequisites

We have recommended courses based on material that previous students have found valuable for success in the program, both in the lab and in required graduate level coursework. However, we recognize that the backgrounds of many students — and future student career goals — are varied and diverse, and that this diversity is a strength of our program. In the online application process, you will be asked if you have completed the following prerequisites:

• Biology: Two semesters. Such as the following UW-Madison course equivalents: ( BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  151 and  BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  152 ) or ( BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  101 , BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  102 , and BIOLOGY/​BOTANY  130 )
• Genetics: One semester. Such as: MICROBIO 470 ,  GENETICS 466 , or ( GENETICS 467 and GENETICS 468 )
• Chemistry: Four semesters, including two semesters organic chemistry with one semester organic chemistry lab component. Such as: ( CHEM 103 and CHEM 104 ), CHEM 109 , or ( CHEM 115 and CHEM 116 ), and ( CHEM 343 , CHEM 344 , and CHEM 345 )
• Biochemistry: One semester. Such as: BIOCHEM 501 , ( BIOCHEM 507 and BIOCHEM 508 )
• Physics: One semester. Such as: ( PHYSICS 104 , PHYSICS 202 , or PHYSICS 208 )
• Mathematics: Two semesters of calculus or one semester each of calculus and statistics. Such as: MATH 171 , MATH 217 ,  MATH 221 , STAT 301 , or STAT 371
• Second semester of physics OR other quantitative reasoning course such as physical chemistry, differential equations, or upper-level course in computer programming, bioinformatics or statistics. Such as: PHYSICS 104 , PHYSICS 202 , PHYSICS 208 ,  CHEM 561 , ( CHEM 563   and CHEM 565 ), MICROBIO 657 ,  COMP SCI 319 , COMP SCI/​B M I  576 , STAT 303 , MATH 319 , or MATH 320

For each prerequisite, please be prepared to enter the course name and number.  If you do not have all the recommended coursework, please use the text box in the application system to explain any deficiencies.  We ask that you fill in the course list as appropriate, but more broadly that you include a dedicated section within your personal statement to note how your academic preparation has prepared you for Ph.D. training in microbiology. 

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Research assistantships are available for most students from department and college-level funding sources or from competitive fellowship and traineeship awards, with continued support contingent upon adequate progress in classes and research. Applicants with outstanding records will be nominated for special fellowships or for traineeships on one of several NIH training grants awarded to UW–Madison.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Mode of instruction definitions.

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

Required courses.

Students must enroll for the program's seminar ( MICROBIO 731 or M M & I 901 ) during their first three years. Students are expected to present during their third year when enrolled in the seminar as well as in their fourth year of the program, although they may not be enrolled.

Rotation Requirement

Incoming students are required to rotate in a minimum of three research labs. Students who are directly admitted into a lab are exempt from this rotation requirement.

Professional Development Requirement

Professional Development is a required part of the program's curriculum. Students are required to perform a second semester of teaching practicum, carry out an internship for as long as one semester, take at least 2 credits of coursework from the list of approved classes or through the Delta Program, or perform other professional development activities equivalent to 2 semester hours of coursework as judged by the thesis committee. The thesis committee must give approval for the student to participate in the chosen professional development activity. Thesis committees will also determine if each student has met the requirement. Students should complete the professional development requirement by the end of the fourth year.

Options for completing Professional Development requirement:

Courses . The Graduate School has agreed to allow dissertator students to enroll in courses from a limited list of classes appropriate for professional development of the program's students.  Students would take one or two courses in an area of interest after they become dissertators. Additional courses may be added to this list if they are appropriate for the program's students and are approved for this purpose by the Graduate School.

Teaching practicum . A second semester of teaching practicum may be the most appropriate training for students that seek a career in academic research and teaching. If students do not arrange for other professional development activities, the default professional development training would be a second semester of teaching in a teaching practicum.

The Delta Program . Students interested in teaching as a career can participate in the Delta Program, allowing students to take classes and gain experience in teaching. Successful students are granted a certificate from the Delta Program, and this achievement and experience likely make the students more attractive for teaching positions.

Summer courses or workshops . For students most interested in continuing in academic research, one or more summer courses or workshops may be the most appropriate training. Examples of such courses are those that cover research areas or methods or scientific writing or grant preparation.

Internship . As an alternative to class work or a second semester of teaching practicum, students could participate in an internship with a business or other organization. Students doing internships would have to arrange to be paid through the organization, and they would not be paid by their advisors while away from their research.

Teaching Practicum Requirement

All students in the program are required to complete a Teaching Practicum.  This Teaching Practicum is usually completed during the second year.  Students choose from a list of courses and work with faculty delivering instruction in a lecture or lab setting.

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate work from other institutions.

With program approval, up to 9 credits of coursework may be accepted from other graduate institutions. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

UW–Madison Undergraduate

For well-prepared advanced students, the program may decide to accept up to 6 credits numbered 300 or above completed at UW–Madison toward fulfillment of minimum degree and minor credit requirements. This work would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

UW–Madison University Special

The program may decide to accept up to 9 University Special student credits as fulfillment of the minimum graduate residence, graduate degree, or minor credit requirements on occasion as an exception (on a case-by-case basis). UW–Madison coursework taken as a University Special student would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.

ADVISOR / COMMITTEE

This program follows the Graduate School’s Advisor policy and the Graduate School’s Committees policy , except that:

To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, students are required to meet with their advisor annually.

The committee is required to have five faculty members, two of which must hold appointments in either Bacteriology or Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED

Time limits.

This program follows the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

The program will follow the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Grievance Policy.  For clarity, the program director, vice-director and/or the program coordinator shall serve as grievance advisors.  The grievance advisor will refer complaints to the program's Steering Committee. 

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.

We offer funding to all students in the program through fellowships, trainees and research assistantships.

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

In order to better train MDTP students for microbiology-related professions, students need a chance to gain knowledge and experience not just in academic research, but also in other fields where their microbiology education may be put to good use. Opportunities for professional development can consist of coursework, an internship, a summer workshop, outreach experiences, or a second teaching practicum experience. Professional Development plans must be approved by a student’s thesis committee. Please see requirements for more information.

• Gain a broad understanding of the microbiology principles that underlie all biological processes.
• Articulate, discuss and define limits to the theory and knowledge in microbiology.
• Think critically to address research challenges using a broad range of the theories, research methods, and approaches to scientific inquiry.
• Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable matter.
• Collaborate with investigators within the program, university, and beyond to advance the science of microbiology.
• Foster professional and ethical conduct in the sciences.
• Ethical design of experimental protocols.
• Reproducibility of experimental results.
• Professional behavior in industrial, government and academic settings.
• Develop communication skills that enable the articulation of research to fellow scientists and non-scientists.
• Develop teaching and mentoring skills in both lecture and laboratory settings.
• Explore career development opportunities in industry, government, academia and private industry to realize professional goals.

Faculty: Professors JD Sauer (program director, Medical Microbiology and Immunology), and Trina McMahon (vice-director, Bacteriology) lead the current MDTP Steering Committee. For a list of more than 90 participating faculty, see the  program website  or contact the program office.

• Requirements
• Professional Development
• Learning Outcomes

Contact Information

Microbiology College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health microbiology.wisc.edu

Terra Theim, Program Coordinator [email protected] 608-265-0689 1326 Microbial Sciences, 1550 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706

JD Sauer, Program Director [email protected]

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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Microbiology PhD Graduate Programs

Researching microbiology phd graduate programs.

The Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics provides training in the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses, as well as in the use of microbial models to investigate basic problems in molecular genetics. The program is designed for students interested in either academic careers in teaching and research or those interested in careers in related aspects of medicine and industry. Research training is offered in microbial genetics and physiology, microbial development, microbial pathogenesis, molecular biology of bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens, vaccine and therapeutic development, molecular biology of DNA replication, recombination and transposition, and the structural biology of microorganisms.

Find out more about the Bacteriology , Parasitology , Virology Research Sections.

Educational and Research Opportunities

The graduate experience in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program (MMG) begins with an introduction to the faculty, current students, and their research through a series of short talks, discussions, and a poster session. The students then choose the first of three research rotations which are designed to give the student exposure to various research areas and techniques before choosing a direction and laboratory for their thesis research. In the first and second years, students also participate in courses which prepare them for analyzing, critiquing, and presenting research in the areas of bacterial genetics, biochemistry, microbial pathogenesis, molecular genetics in eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems, immunology, and molecular mechanisms for DNA rearrangements and gene regulation.

MMG graduate students are afforded the opportunity to teach for one semester in their second year; all students are prepared for this experience by attending a symposium on teaching strategies, techniques, and ethics. Journal clubs, seminars, and attending international meetings contribute to the graduate educational experience. Students usually complete their graduate work in four to five years and then move on to excellent postdoctoral positions enroute to academic, industry, and government research positions.

Research Environment

The research environment in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is strongly interactive among different laboratories. There is Core support from the University for key technologies, including protein analysis, bioinformatics, and molecular modeling, electron and confocal microscopy, and a transgenic mouse facility. An NIH Training Grant has been awarded to us to train pre-and post-doctoral students in Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis.

The research groups in the MMG Program are supportive of one another and students in the Program profit from the advice of faculty and postdoctoral associates in many different laboratories. Because the Program is Interdepartmental, it benefits from faculty with different backgrounds and the research labs are located at the main University campus, the Vaccine Center on the nearby Emory National Primate Research Center, the Veterans Administration Hospital facility, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All buildings are within a 15-minute walk of each other and are connected by shuttle bus service.

Campus Life

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta in the tree-lined suburban neighborhood of Druid Hills, Emory University is positioned along the Clifton Corridor, which also includes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society.

Emory University is home to nine major academic divisions, numerous centers for advanced study, and a host of prestigious affiliated institutions. In addition to Emory College, the University encompasses a graduate school of arts and sciences; professional schools of medicine, theology, law, nursing, public health, and business; and Oxford College, a two-year undergraduate division on the original campus of Emory in Oxford, Ga.

Emory was founded at Oxford by the Methodist Church in 1836. The University has 11,300 students and 2,500 faculty members who represent all regions of the United States and more than 100 foreign nations.

More info about Atlanta

Welcome to the Department of Microbiology

Quick links.

• The Microbiome Center
• Duchossois Family Institute
• Office of Research Safety
• Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory
• Committee on Microbiology

Basic research in Microbiology seeks to address how microbes shape our world and to develop insight to advance the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

The discoveries of microbes and the realization that they represent causative agents of human, animal, and plant diseases have transformed biological sciences and established the very broad foundations of molecular medicine.  Faculty in the Department of Microbiology research different microbes including bacteria (pathogenic Bacillus, Clostridium, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Listeria, Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus, Yersinia, and commensal species, including the Bacteroidales) and viruses (Hepatitis C, Dengue, SARS-CoV-2, Zika, and several retroviruses and arenaviruses). In collaboration with the Duchossois Family Institute (Harnessing the Microbiome and Immunity for Human Health), the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering , and U. Chicago Medicine , our faculty investigate the organizing principles of the microbiome, its role in maintaining health and preventing disease, and the development of novel therapies.

Our curriculum provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines in microbial science, and supports specialized training in several areas of interest.

Undergraduates majoring in Biological Sciences with a Specialization in Microbiology take at least five courses. Graduate students pursuing a PhD in Microbiology take a minimum of nine courses. Students consult the Graduate Advisor of the Committee on Microbiology to develop a plan of study that fulfills the program course requirements and meets the student’s particular interests in microbiology. The philosophy of graduate coursework is to develop a foundation of knowledge for the first-year graduate student. Of course, the basis of graduate training in microbiology is the performance of original laboratory research, which begins in winter or spring of the first year.

• Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
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Department News

• How two different types of immune cells help two billion people keep tuberculosis in check
• The surprisingly resourceful ways bacteria thrive in the human gut
• Why Your Gut Health is so Important

Microbiology Doctoral Training Program

Cyanobacteria on Lake Mendota

Science spectrum, with a view

MDTP students Aldo Arellano and Holly Nichols checking out lichens at Devil's Lake State Park.

Photobacterium leiognathi - "Living Light"

MDTP students enjoying the 2023 MDTP retreat!

Bacterial isolates from corn aerial root mucilage

Live cell imaging of HIV-induced cell-cell interactions (“virological synapses”)

EXPERIENCE WORLD-CLASS MICROBIOLOGY TRAINING

Now is an exciting time to be doing microbiology research! The confluence of cutting edge experimental tools and approaches combined with novel applications to environmental, industrial and clinical needs, makes microbiology one of the most dynamic and important areas of science. Career possibilities abound in academic research, industry, teaching, government service, and other avenues. If you have a strong academic record, significant research experience, and you seek training in a top ranked microbiology PhD program , the Microbiology Doctoral Training Program at UW-Madison offers an ideal training environment.

There’s a lot to consider when evaluating graduate programs including access to cutting edge and impactful science, a rich environment outside the lab, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion; these are all worthy goals, and they can co-exist. If you are looking for a graduate program with a commitment to student training, a top ranked research university with national and international prominence all in a setting ranked as one of the top places to live and work, think UW MDTP!

JD Sauer, MDTP Director

Katrina Forest, Bacteriology Chair

Vanessa Sperandio, Medical Microbiology & Immunology Chair

• Applying to the Program More
• Program Requirements More
• Timeline to PhD More
• MDTP Student Publications More
• Participating Departments and Programs More
• History of Microbiology at UW-Madison More
• Microbial Sciences Building More
• Tour Campus More
• Life in Madison More
• City of Madison More
• MDTP on YouTube More
• 2023 MDTP Newsletter More
• Giving to MDTP More

MDTP now has a dedicated donation account through UW Foundation!  Learn more here .

Follow MDTP on Twitter!  @UWMadisonMDTP

Our program is committed to diversity and inclusion.

The Microbiology Doctoral Training Program is committed to the strength only diversity can bring.  We strive to fully support all members of our community – Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, first-generation, people with disabilities and all marginalized groups.  

We all belong here at MDTP, all of us make our program great, all of us have a place in STEM.

We encourage prospective students from all backgrounds to learn more about our program and apply!

• Diversity in MDTP More
• Diversity at UW-Madison More
• Info for Prospective Students More

MEET MDTP STUDENTS

Esther Wisdom

Esther is a fourth year student in the Kalejta lab studying differences in human cytomegalovirus entry between lytic and latent infections. Outside of the lab, Esther enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with her cat.

Chutikarn Chitboonthavisuk

Chutikarn studies the interaction of phage and bacteria, identifying how bacterial factors can impact phage infectivity in Vatsan Raman's lab. When she is not working in the lab, Chutikarn spends her time with her cat, Miu Miu. She enjoys cooking, oil painting, and playing badminton. She loves Madison and thinks there are so many things to explore.

Justin Eagan

Justin studies the ecological role for mycotoxins produced by the fungal plant pathogen Penicillium expansum. He is interested in how fungal pathogens interact with a host's microbiome. When not in lab, he can be found hiking, playing video games or tending to his growing number of house plants.

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Credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins graduate programs again ranked among nation's best

'u.s. news & world report' includes 38 jhu programs among the top 10 in the u.s. in its annual rankings, including no. 1 ranked programs in nursing and public health.

By Hub staff report

Johns Hopkins University has 38 graduate schools, academic programs, and specialties ranked among the top 10 in the nation, including nine with No. 1 rankings, according to the latest edition of "Best Graduate Schools" from U.S. News & World Report , published earlier today.

Two schools at Hopkins—the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the School of Nursing —earned No. 1 rankings overall, and the School of Education entered the top 10, according to U.S. News & World Report .

Portions of the publication's annual list were released today but rankings for schools of medicine and engineering were delayed and will be released at a later date.

Among the new rankings released today:

The School of Nursing's DNP program ranked No. 1 for the third year in a row. Its master's degree programs tied at No. 1, up from No. 2 last year. In gerontology, the school moved up two spots to No. 1 for primary care, and up one spot to No. 2 for acute care. In other specialty areas, the School of Nursing's doctoral programs ranked:

• Psychiatric/mental health: No. 1
• Family: No. 3 (tied)
• Leadership: No. 4 (tied)
• Nursing Anesthesia: No. 36 (tie)

Public Health

The Bloomberg School retained its longtime No. 1 overall ranking among public health programs—it has held the top spot since 1994, the year the rankings began. In specialty areas, the Bloomberg School ranked:

• Environmental Health Sciences: No. 1
• Epidemiology: No. 1
• Health Policy and Management (Public Health): No. 1
• Social and Behavioral Sciences: No. 1
• Biostatistics: No. 2

Johns Hopkins tied at No. 8 in the Education category, up from No. 13 last year. The school also tied at No. 23 in higher education administration programs.

Public Affairs

Overall, Johns Hopkins programs in public affairs tied at No. 39. In subcategories, Johns Hopkins tied at No. 6 in Health Policy and Management (Public Affairs), No. 11 in International/Global Policy and Administration, and tied at No. 35 in Public Policy Analysis.

U.S. News & World Report updates some of its rankings each year and republishes the most recent rankings in other areas. Among the republished rankings for Hopkins, which are still current:

Biological Sciences

Hopkins is tied for No. 6 overall with six top 10 specialty rankings:

• Molecular biology: No. 3 (tie)
• Cell biology: No. 4
• Neuroscience: No. 4 (tie)
• Immunology: No. 5
• Genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics: No. 6 (tie)
• Biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology: No. 8

Biostatistics

Hopkins is ranked No. 1 (tie) for Biostatistics at the doctoral level. (Note: U.S. News & World Report also ranks biostatistics as a sub-category of public health, where Hopkins is No. 2.)

The university is tied at No. 20 in Chemistry and ranks No. 9 in the Biochemistry subcategory.

Computer Science

The university is tied for No. 24 overall and tied at No. 21 in the specialty of Artificial Intelligence.

Earth Sciences

The university is tied at No. 30 in Earth Sciences.

Johns Hopkins' program in economics is tied at No. 22.

English tied at No. 13 overall with the following specialty rankings:

• Literary criticism and theory: No. 3
• British literature: No. 10 (tie)
• American literature after 1865: No. 17

Health Care Management

The university is No. 7.

Johns Hopkins ranks No. 10 overall, with the following specialty rankings:

• African-American history: No. 3 (tie)
• Cultural history: No. 4 (tie)
• U.S. Colonial history: No. 5 (tie)
• Women's history: No. 6 (tie)
• African history: No. 7 (tie)
• European history: No. 7 (tie)
• Modern U.S. history: No. 16 (tie)

Mathematics

Johns Hopkins is tied at No. 20 in Mathematics with the following specialty rankings: + Analysis: No. 18 (tie) + Algebra: No. 23 (tie) + Applied Math: No. 25

Overall, the university is tied at No. 13 with the following specialty rankings: + Living Systems: No. 5 (tie) + Cosmology: No. 7 + Condensed Matter: No. 13 (tie)

Political science

Overall, political science is tied at No. 41. In sub-categories, Johns Hopkins ranked: + Political theory: No. 8 (tie) + International politics: No. 24 (tie)

The university's graduate program in psychology is tied at No. 12 overall and tied at No. 5 in the subcategory of behavioral neuroscience.

Overall, sociology is tied at No. 29. The sub-category of sociology of population is tied at No. 17.

Posted in University News

Tagged u.s. news and world report , university rankings

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100 Best universities for Mechanical Engineering in Russia

Updated: February 29, 2024

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• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Russia ranked based on their research performance in Mechanical Engineering. A graph of 714K citations received by 136K academic papers made by 158 universities in Russia was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Moscow State University

For Mechanical Engineering

2. Tomsk State University

3. St. Petersburg State University

4. Bauman Moscow State Technical University

5. Ufa State Aviation Technical University

6. Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University

7. Tomsk Polytechnic University

8. Ural Federal University

9. South Ural State University

10. National Research University Higher School of Economics

11. Moscow Aviation Institute

12. Novosibirsk State University

13. ITMO University

14. N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute

15. National Research Nuclear University MEPI

16. Kazan Federal University

17. National University of Science and Technology "MISIS"

18. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

19. Samara National Research University

20. Moscow State Technological University "Stankin"

21. Novosibirsk State Technical University

22. RUDN University

23. Southern Federal University

24. Saratov State University

25. Ufa State Petroleum Technological University

26. Samara State Technical University

27. Siberian Federal University

28. Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev - KAI

29. Perm State Technical University

30. Omsk State Technical University

31. Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University

32. Moscow Polytech

33. Saint-Petersburg Mining University

34. Magnitogorsk State Technical University

35. Saratov State Technical University

36. Moscow State University of Railway Engineering

37. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod

38. Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University

39. Tula State University

40. Belgorod State Technological University

41. Far Eastern Federal University

42. Novgorod State University

43. belgorod state university.

44. Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation

45. Moscow Medical Academy

46. Kazan State Technological University

47. Russian State University of Oil and Gas

48. siberian state aerospace university.

49. Tambov State Technical University

50. Voronezh State University

51. Siberian State Industrial University

52. Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology

53. Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University

54. St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering

55. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia

56. Murmansk State Technical University

57. South-Western State University

58. Ogarev Mordovia State University

59. Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics

60. south-russian state university of economics and service.

61. Perm State University

62. Kuzbass State Technical University

63. Russian National Research Medical University

64. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics

65. Ulyanovsk State Technical University

66. Ulyanovsk State University

67. Penza State University

68. Kuban State University of Technology

69. Polzunov Altai State Technical University

70. Chelyabinsk State University

71. Yaroslavl State University

72. University of Tyumen

73. National Research University of Electronic Technology

74. Leningrad State University

75. Moscow State Pedagogical University

76. Udmurt State University

77. Irkutsk State University

78. North-Eastern Federal University

79. Bashkir State University

80. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

81. Kuban State University

82. Kuban State Agricultural University

83. St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation

84. Kemerovo State University

85. Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University

86. Orenburg State University

87. Baltic State Technical University "Voenmeh"

88. Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building

89. Chuvash State University

90. ivanovo state power university.

91. Irkutsk National Research Technical University

92. Orel State University

93. State University of Management

94. Tomsk State Pedagogical University

95. Volgograd State University

96. Petrozavodsk State University

97. Tver State University

98. Northern Arctic Federal University

99. Omsk State Transport University

100. Kaliningrad State Technical University

The best cities to study Mechanical Engineering in Russia based on the number of universities and their ranks are Moscow , Tomsk , Saint Petersburg , and Ufa .

Engineering subfields in Russia

Best Global Universities for Engineering in Russia

These are the top universities in Russia for engineering, based on their reputation and research in the field. Read the methodology »

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Here are the best global universities for engineering in Russia

Itmo university, tomsk state university, tomsk polytechnic university, lomonosov moscow state university, novosibirsk state university, saint petersburg state university, peter the great st. petersburg polytechnic university, moscow institute of physics & technology, national research nuclear university mephi (moscow engineering physics institute).

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• # 307 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 696 in Best Global Universities  (tie)
• # 364 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 587 in Best Global Universities  (tie)
• # 396 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 879 in Best Global Universities  (tie)
• # 632 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 355 in Best Global Universities
• # 809 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 579 in Best Global Universities  (tie)
• # 847 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 652 in Best Global Universities
• # 896 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 679 in Best Global Universities  (tie)
• # 902 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 475 in Best Global Universities  (tie)
• # 915 in Best Universities for Engineering  (tie)
• # 483 in Best Global Universities  (tie)