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ITiMS is no longer supporting students financially but you are encouraged to use the resources here to support your desire for an integrated research approach.
ITiMS is no longer supporting students financially but you are encouraged to use the resources here to support your desire for an integrated research approach.
If a publication results from any ITiMS funded activities please acknowledge it; an appropriate citation in the "Funding" or "Acknowledgements" sections would be: "University of Michigan Integrated Training in Microbial Systems (grant from Burroughs Wellcome Fund: Institutional Program Unifying Population and Laboratory Based Sciences)."
Students admitted to, or currently enrolled in, any doctoral program at the University of Michigan were eligible to apply for training and funding through ITiMS. ITiMS is not a degree program unto itself, but an interdisciplinary training program designed to enhance your research skills. For information about applying to doctoral programs at U-M, go to the U-M Gateway to see a list of graduate schools and colleges.
ITiMS is an interactive cross-training program. Students selected for the program will complete requirements for their Ph.D. in a specific discipline while receiving training in additional disciplines that integrate with their research interests. As part of the program, students will work with faculty mentors selected from 18 departments and 7 schools, colleges or institutes across campus.
ITiMS students completed coursework in mathematical modeling, and population and laboratory approaches and integrate laboratory, population, and modeling approaches in their dissertation. While there are no requirements for ITiMS associates except to complete two surveys for our sponsor Burroughs Wellcome Fund in the spring, associates were encouraged to participate in ITiMS activities, including the individualized training plan which provides the structure and guidance to integrate laboratory experience, population science, and mathematical modeling into the student's dissertation and skill set. Associates with approved Training Plans were eligible to apply for up to $7,000 toward a wide range of purposes.
A sampling of what you might do as an ITiMS student:
Develop mathematical models to identify holes in the literature, and design studies.
Conduct field investigations to collect samples.
Conduct laboratory experiments to interrogate samples or test hypotheses.
Use bioinformatics and statistical methods to analyze your results.
ITiMS also provides resources and opportunities for you to develop independent research projects; attend local, national and international meetings; and interact with leaders in microbial systems science.
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
ITiMS is no longer accepting applications. The application description is for the information of others who may be planning to launch similar programs.
Individualized Training Plan
Individualized Training Plan
The individualized training plan provides the structure and guidance to integrate laboratory experience, population science, and mathematical modeling into your dissertation and skill set. In order to apply for funding you had to have an individualized training plan that was reviewed and approved by the program advisory committee.
Approved Courses by Requirement
Annual Progress Assessment
Current Student Status
Current Student Status
You must have been an admitted or current student in a doctoral program at the University of Michigan in order to apply to ITiMS.
Faculty Nominations
Faculty Nominations
Identify two faculty mentors — one with laboratory expertise, and one with expertise in either mathematical modeling or population approaches. Mentors wrote a letter/email of support including a statement of their willingness to serve as co-mentor of the student and ensuring that the student will complete all required ITiMS trainings in laboratory, modeling, and population sciences.
See the list of current ITiMS training faculty
Download the template for the faculty nomination letter
Curriculum Vita
Curriculum Vita
Submit a current copy of your C.V.
Essays
Essays
Complete three brief essays (500 words or less each) on the following questions:
Describe your career and your scientific interests.
Describe why you want to participate in the ITiMS training program. Please discuss how your current work fits with ITiMS goals to integrate laboratory experience, population science, and mathematical modeling.
Describe your experience with mathematical modeling coursework or training. "None" is an acceptable response. See below for suggested courses.
Students interested in ITiMS are encouraged to have previously taken or be currently enrolled in a mathematical modeling course. Suggested courses in this area at U-M include:
EEB 466: Mathematical Ecology
EPID 633: Introduction to Mathematical Modeling in Epidemiology and Public Health
EPID 634: Foundations in Infectious Disease Transmission Modeling
MATH 462: Mathematical Models
MATH 463: Introduction to Mathematical Biology
MATH 550: Introduction to Adaptive Systems
MICRBIOL 510: Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases
The mission of ITiMS is to train outstanding interdisciplinary researchers who will discover the principles underlying the structure and functions of microbial communities and apply these principles to understand and alleviate important problems affecting human health and the environment by integrating population, modeling and laboratory approaches.
The mission of ITiMS is to train outstanding interdisciplinary researchers who will discover the principles underlying the structure and functions of microbial communities and apply these principles to understand and alleviate important problems affecting human health and the environment by integrating population, modeling and laboratory approaches.
All applications should reflect this mission.
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