The Microbiology Graduate Program ensures that students will possess specialized research expertise in a particular field of microbiology and/or immunology upon completion of their PhD.
 

The Microbiology Graduate program features faculty members with strengths in bacteriology, parasitology, immunology, and virology. Areas of research include cellular microbiology, molecular virology and immunology, bacterial biochemistry and physiology, bacterial and viral pathogenesis, and molecular parasitology. Working in the laboratory of their PhD advisor, students learn to define and experimentally investigate scientific questions and to conduct original research in preparation for positions in academia, government, and industry.

The first year of studies typically is devoted to course work and to rotations in three laboratories. These research experiences are designed to familiarize students with the range of research interests of the department faculty and to facilitate the selection of a PhD advisor. The second year is spent primarily on research in the advisor's laboratory and completion of any necessary additional coursework. With guidance from their advisor, students also define their thesis research problem during this year. In the second semester of the second year, students write and orally defend before their thesis committee a research proposal that may be related to their own research. Successful completion of this comprehensive examination results in advancement to candidacy for the PhD and the successful defense of a dissertation completes the requirements for the PhD in Microbiology.