Graduate Program: Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases (MII)


The Department of Microbiology is a degree-granting entity within the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia.  Students in the department study under internationally-recognized scientists in the areas of immunology, cancer research, cell regulation, infectious disease or biodefense.  Because of its diversity, this program offers a wide variety of choices and flexibility within the scope of modern biological and medical research, with the ultimate goal of awarding a Ph.D. degree. 

 

For Prospective Students:

                   

For Current Students:

 

 

 

 



 

Program Information

The Department of Microbiology at the University of Virginia offers both pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training programs in a variety of subdisciplines.  This educational program is based on a solid foundation of state-of-the-art research conducted in the laboratories of the departmental faculty.  Modern Microbiology involves studying biological systems at the molecular level and is among the most rapidly developing areas in the sciences. The Microbiology Department at the University of Virginia reflects this contemporary flavor.  The research programs, which cover the areas of virology and human retroviruses, microbial pathogenesis, cancer and signal transduction, gene expression and cell cycle regulation, and immunology, all have strong molecular components.

Research labs within the Department are equipped with the most modern and sophisticated instrumentation used for molecular biology.  Research programs are funded from both federal and private sources, providing student research activities with excellent financial and technological support.

The graduate program in Microbiology is oriented toward research training; the Ph.D. is a research degree, and the Department does not accept students who wish to terminate their studies at the Master's level.

Our graduate students come from diverse academic, social, and ethnic backgrounds, and from universities throughout the United States as well as from Europe, Latin America, Canada, and Asia.  They usually have undergraduate degrees in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, or biology; and many have worked for a number of years after graduating from college.

The Program is designed to bring everyone in this diverse group up to the same academic level by concentrating core course work in the first year.  The first semester courses include molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology.  In subsequent semesters, a wide variety of courses are offered from which students, in consultation with their advisory committee, can choose.  These include virology, microbial pathogenesis, advanced genetics, cancer biology, and immunology, to name a few.  This gives students the opportunity to develop their own educational program that is  driven by their personal interests and scientific curiosity.

Students also have the opportunity to develop oral presentation skills by participating in colloquia, journal clubs, research group meetings, and mini-courses.  Laboratory rotations allow students to become familiar with specific laboratory and research areas while performing small research projects.  Students typically choose to begin their rotations during the summer prior to the first year, so that they can become acquainted with research opportunities before classes begin. At the end of the first year in residence, students choose a research lab and thesis advisor.

All students in the Department of Microbiology receive a stipend that is competitive with that offered by other institutions and the cost of living in Charlottesville is low. In addition, the Department pays tuition, fees, health insurance, and travel costs to scientific meetings when students present their work.   The Department makes a commitment to support students for as long as they are making acceptable progress toward their degree. 

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Degree Requirements

The Microbiology graduate program is oriented toward providing a dynamic training environment with the ultimate goal of awarding a Ph.D degree.  It typically requires four to six years of study.  Independent research is at the core of the program.  During the first two years, students complete formal course requirements and rotate through three different laboratories.  Thesis labs are chosen after completion of the first year.  Toward the end of the second year, students prepare and defend a detailed research proposal in the form of a “qualifying exam.”  Successful completion of this process qualifies the student to advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.  Those not admitted to candidacy may, on approval of the faculty, be permitted to complete the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biological and Physical Science.  The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded upon recommendation by the faculty after satisfactory completion of original research, supported by submission and defense of a dissertation.

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Course Work

Students take a group of core courses in the first semester designed to provide a solid foundation in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and gene regulation.   An individualized coursework program is then developed to meet the specific interests of the student and course requirements of relevant training programs.   This typically includes additional classes, topical journal clubs, seminar series, and research-in-progress meetings. 

Typical student classroom and research activities are as follows:

 

   
Summer Session 1st lab rotation:  July through September
 
First Semester  BIMS 503           Biochemistry: Micromolecular Structure  & Function

     (Fall)

 BIMS 812            Cell Structure and Function
   BIMS 811            Gene Structure and Expression
  Student Colloquium         MICR 881 or BIMS 835
 
Second Semester 2 advanced courses*
     (Spring) Student Colloquium
  2nd lab rotation:  January through February
  3rd lab rotation:  March through April
 
Summer Session Choose Thesis Advisor and laboratory
 
Third Semester 1-2 advanced courses*
     (Fall) Research
  Student Colloquium
 
Fourth Semester 0-1 advanced course*
     (Spring) Research
  Qualifying Examination
 
   
Subsequent semesters Research
     (additional 3-5 years) Meet with Thesis Committee 1-2 times a year
  Write Thesis and orally defend original research
   

*Of the 4 total advanced courses required, at least 2 must be drawn from the following group of "core" courses:

 

BIMS 803

Fundamental Immunology

BIMS 808

General and Molecular Genetics

MICR 809

Virology

MICR 810

Microbial Pathogenesis

MICR 815

Molecular Basis of Cancer
   

Students supported by the Immunology Training Grant must take:
     MICR 803 - Advanced Immunology

Students supported by the Cancer Training Grant must take: 
     MICR 815 - Molecular Basis of Cancer

Students supported by the Infectious Disease or Biodefense Training Grants must take: 
      MICR 809 and MICR 810

 
   

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Laboratory Research

Students perform three rotations in laboratories of their choice during their first year in the program.   These rotations provide an opportunity to become familiar with specific laboratory and research areas while performing small research projects.  Students are encouraged to begin their first rotation during the summer prior to the beginning of courses so that they can become acquainted with research opportunities before classes begin.  After completion of all three rotations at the end of the first year of study, students then choose a research lab and thesis advisor.

The research programs of faculty in the Microbiology Department are nationally and internationally renowned.   They are well-funded from both federal and private sources, providing student research activities with excellent financial and technological support.  Laboratories are well-equipped with modern and sophisticated instrumentation to enable advanced experimentation in molecular and cellular biology.    

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Activities

A wide range of activities outside of the classroom and laboratory are also available to students in the Microbiology Department. 

Weekly seminar series provide a mechanism for students to hear about the newest developments throughout the international research community.  These seminar series are complemented by one- and two-day symposia highlighting the research of distinguished scientists whose research focuses on related topics. 

Students have the opportunity to present their own work to faculty and peers at annual poster sessions and regional meetings

Students are encouraged to attend and present their work at national and international scientific meetings.

The Graduate Biosciences Society (http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/gbs) is an active student-run organization that hosts many social events for graduate students, such as river tubing, outings to local vineyards, and an annual retreat. 

Groups of interested students also compete in various intramural and local sports teams, including soccer, volleyball and softball.  (http://www.virginia.edu/ims/)

The Charlottesville community offers a wide range of cultural activities including music, theatre, dance and fine arts

Students also take advantage of the close proximity to Washington D.C., the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean.

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Admission

On-line applications are made through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and applications are available through http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/gpo/apply.cfm.   Students should indicate “Biomedical Sciences” as the “department applied to” and the preferred “area of interest” is “Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease; MII .”  Following an initial screening, competitive applicants are invited to Charlottesville for an interview with the faculty of the MII graduate program.   The Department will be pleased to assist with travel expenses. 

The preferred application deadline for fall admission is February 15, though we will continue toaccept applications until March 15 if positions are available.   Students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.  The following are general requirements for admission:

  • A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in the biological or physical sciences.
  • A strong complement of undergraduate science and math courses.
  • Test scores:  GRE General test
  • Foreign students must provide scores from a recent TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).  A score of 250 or higher (or 600 or higher for the paper-based test) is necessary for consideration.
  • GRE Subject tests---these are not required, but we are happy to consider these test scores, typically in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry.
  • A $60.00 non-refundable application fee, which can be waived in cases of proven financial hardship.
  • Two letters of recommendation (or more if desired) addressing undergraduate accomplishments and/or postgraduate research experience.

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Contact Information

Dr. Anjeanette "AJ" Roberts
Assistant Professor of Graduate Education
MII Graduate Program Coordinator

University of Virginia School of Medicine
PO Box 800734
Charlottesville, Va 22908
Jordan Hall, Room 7046A

phone:  (434) 243-9985
email:
   
ajroberts@virginia.edu

 

Ms. Sandy Weirich
Graduate Student Coordinator
University of Virginia School of Medicine
PO Box 800734
Charlottesville, Va 22908
Jordan Hall, Room 7012
phone:    (434) 243-2776
email:    
sww6j@virginia.edu

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