The MS program in microbiology is designed to prepare students for careers in bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology and oncology in academic institutions, government agencies or commercial entities.

Students receive advanced training in the study of microbes and their impact on humankind, disease and the environment. They use tools ranging from nanotechnologies and genomics to mathematical models and satellite-based imaging. Students receive training in both teaching and basic, translational and use-inspired research with world-class faculty and collaborative research partners. 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.

The current degree requirements are below. Remember you are required to fulfill the requirements from the academic year you were admitted. Please refer to the handbook from your year of admission as needed.

30 credit hours and a thesis

Required Core (3 credit hours)

• MIC 501 Foundations of Microbiology (3)

Electives and Research (21 credit hours)

Research

• MIC 592 Research (6 minimum credit hours required)

1 credit within your electives and research category must be BIO 610, listed below

• BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1)

The department and the student's advisor determine additional elective courses in conjunction with the student. Some examples include the following (not an exhaustive list):

• MIC 592 Research (additional)

• BIO 514 Statistical Models for Biology

• BIO 530 Scientific Teaching

• BIO 533 K-12 STEM Education & Outreach

• BIO 539 Computing for Research

• BIO 591 Communication for Scientists

• BIO 591 Genetics and Genomics of Behavior

• BIO 620 Research Prospectus Writing

• MIC 591 Virology Journal Club

• MIC 591 Biotechnology Viruses as Tools

• MIC 598 Advanced Immunology

• MIC 598 Immunology: Molecular and Cellular Foundations

• MIC 598 Geomicrobiology

• MIC 598 Microbiome Data Science

• BIO 543 Molecular Genetics and Genomics

• BIO 579 Data Analysis and Visualization in R

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)

• MIC 599 Thesis (*6 credits)

*Note: It is very important you do exactly 6 thesis credit hours. These 6 can be divided and taken over multiple semesters, but they must sum 6 credits exactly (no more, no less) to avoid issues when graduating. If you need to enroll in thesis or equivalent hours after meeting your 6 total, please take MIC 592 Research hours instead, which has no maximum limit.