Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

The Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG) provides training in the study of microorganisms and the use of microbial models to investigate basic problems in molecular genetics. Our faculty members have a wide range of expertise and interests, and our program offers a comprehensive education in the biology of microbes: bacterial genetics and physiology, microbial development, molecular biology of viruses and bacterial pathogens, mechanisms of bacterial and viral pathogenesis, molecular biology of gene regulation, antibiotic resistance, antiviral and vaccine development. The central goal of the MMG program is to train successful independent investigators in microbiology research. We teach our students the basic principles of microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics, and train our students to read the original literature and interpret it critically. Our goal is to enable our students to construct hypotheses and to design experiments using contemporary technologies to tes these hypotheses. We emphasize training in effective communication, both oral and written.

A strong undergraduate background in the physical, biological, or behavioral sciences.
A cumulative average of B+ or better in major science courses.
High motivation for a career in biological or biomedical research.

International applicants whose native language is not English must also complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For these exams, scores must be no more than two (2) years old.

For the Fall 2020 admissions cycle, the application deadline is December 1, 2019.