Graduate

M.S. in Microbiology

Thesis MS Microbiology Program Requirements 

cells under microscope
  •  Minimum of 30 credits required (approved by CMMB)
    • 15 of the 30 credit hours must be in courses of a microbiological nature. Approval of such courses will be made by the CMMB Graduate Director.
  • Core Requirements - 6 credit hours
    • MCB 6205 Bacterial Pathogenesis Credit Hours: 3
    • MCB 6306 Advanced Bacterial Genetics Credit Hours: 3
  • Additional Required Courses - 7 credit hours
    • BSC 6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology Credit Hours: 1 (Taken three times)
    • PCB 6920 Advances in Cell and Molecular Biology during Fall Semester of first year Credit Hours: 1
    • BSC 6956 Scientific Grant Writing during Spring Semester of first year* Credit Hours: 3
  • Electives - 8 credit hours minimum
    • Select from the following or other graduate courses approved by the supervisory committee. **Please see Graduate Program Specialist for List of Approved Microbiology Classes
      • PCB 6930 Current Topics in Cancer Biology Credit Hours: 2 Principles of Immunology Credit(s): 3 (Proposed as PCB 5335)
      • PCB 6236 Advanced Immunology Credit Hours: 4
      • MCB 5815 Medical Mycology Credit Hours: 3
      • PCB 5616 Molecular Phylogenetics Credit Hours: 3
      • PCB 6525 Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3
      • BSC 5425 Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology Credit Hours: 3
  • Thesis (Research and Defense) - 9 credit hours minimum
    • BSC 6971 Thesis: Master's Credit Hours: (8 credit hours minimum)
    • BSC 6935 Graduate Seminar in Biology Credit Hours: 1
    • Submission and Approval of Thesis Proposal
    • Successful Completion of an Oral Qualifying Examination
    • Presentation Requirement (1 presentation at national/regional professional meetings)
    • Submission of acceptable thesis

M.S. Microbiology Typical Progress Timeline

Projected tracking through program in 2 years*

*based on successful completion of written and oral qualifying exams in the time specified, good academic standing and continuation of research during summer sessions

Semester 1 (fall)

  • BSC6910 Directed Research or Laboratory Rotations if required
  • BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Review
  • PCB6920 Advances in Cellular & Molecular Biology
  • 1st Structured Course
  • Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
  • Establish ms Laboratory and Major Advisor

Semester 2 (spring)    

  • BSC6910 Directed Research
  • BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Writing I (work on thesis proposal)
  • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
  • 2nd Structured Course
  • Form thesis committee (file paperwork)

 Summer 1                   

  • BSC6910 Directed Research
  • Work on thesis proposal

Semester 3 (fall)        

  • BSC6910 Directed Research
  • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (2)
  • 3rd Structured Course
  • Submit Thesis Proposal to Thesis Committee
  • Complete Oral Qualifier by November 15th
  • Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th

Semester 4 (spring)    

  • MCB6971 Thesis: Masters
  • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (3)
  • MCB6919 Independent Study

Summer 2                    

  • MCB6971 Thesis: Masters

Semester 5 (fall)        

  • MCB6971 Thesis: Masters
  • BSC6935 Thesis Seminar
  • Defend thesis and graduate