The faculty in the Department of Microbiology offer programs leading to the M.S. and the Ph.D. degrees in Microbiology.
The faculty also participate in the program leading to the Master of Natural Science degree when one of the concentrations is microbiology (see “Master of Natural Science” for information on the M.N.S. degree).
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants. Three letters of recommendation and a statement of personal goals must be submitted for admission to the graduate programs. Applicants are expected to have completed the requirements for an undergraduate major in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or have an adequate background in related courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and plant biology. Applicants without this background may be asked to take the GRE subject test. Applications are accepted throughout the year. To be considered for assistantships and fellowships, completed applications must be received by February 15 for the fall semester and by October 15 for the spring semester.
The graduate programs are designed to prepare students for careers in teaching and in research on various aspects of microbiology in educational institutions, industry, or government agencies. To ensure proper course selection, new students must have the department’s approval for all course registrations.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
See “Master’s Degrees” for information on the M.S. degree.
Program of Study. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit are required, of which at least six hours must be thesis and research credit. The program is planned by the student in consultation with the supervisory committee.
Foreign Language Requirements. None.
Comprehensive Examinations. Students are expected to achieve, through course work, a fundamental understanding of the following subdisciplines: bacterial genetics, immunology, molecular biology, physiology and metabolism, and virology. Alternatively, the student may demonstrate this fundamental understanding by a comprehensive examination prepared by the student’s supervisory committee.
Thesis Requirements. A thesis is required.
Final Examinations. A final oral examination covering the thesis and related subject matter is required.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
See “Doctor of Philosophy” for general requirements.
Program of Study. At least 60 semester hours of graduate credit, in addition to 24 hours of dissertation and research, are required; a minimum of 24 hours of this total is in formal course work. The program is planned in consultation with the supervisory committee.
Foreign Language Requirements. None.
Comprehensive Examinations. Written and oral comprehensive examinations are required.
Dissertation Requirements. A dissertation based on original work of high quality, demonstrating proficiency in the student’s area of interest, is required. (See “Research and Dissertation Requirements.”)
Final Examinations. A final oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
The following represent major areas of research emphasis by faculty and graduate students in microbiology: bacterial enzymology, bacterial genetics, immunology, host-parasite relationships, medical molecular biology, neuroimmunology, physiology, systematics, and virology.
Recent studies include the following: structure and function of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli; genetics of outer membrane proteins; control and regulation of metabolic pathways; regulation of environmentally responsive genes in bacteria; protein kinases and phosphoprotein phosphatases; genetics of E. coli isocitrate dehydrogenase; site-specific conjugal recombination in E. coli; development of Bacillus cloning systems; genetic studies of entomocidal Bacilli; biology of budding and appendaged bacteria; biology of the genus Seliberia; molecular mechanism of interferon action; translational control of gene expression in reovirus; immune system-nervous system interactions; CNS involvement in autoimmune disease; mechanisms of stress effects on chronic immunologic diseases; molecular pathogenesis of herpes virus; regulation of VDJ recombination in B lymphocyte development.
Omnibus Graduate Courses: See omnibus graduate courses that may be offered.
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