Microbiology (MS)

Thesis-based M.S.

The Microbiology Graduate Program thesis-based M.S. degree seeks to produce individuals that have obtained fundamental knowledge of modern microbiology research who have demonstrated the ability to conduct experiments and communicate research findings. Graduates will be ready to enter into the workforce or pursue the Ph.D.

Goal 1: Graduates will critically analyze microbiology primary research literature to identify research outcomes and experimental protocols. This goal is accomplished through literature-based courses and literature review for the thesis.

Goal 2: Graduates will be able to accurately perform complex experimental designs based on analysis of the primary literature and collaborative experiment design with their mentor and peers. This goal is accomplished through performance of the thesis research project.

Goal 3: Graduates will be able to independently analyze microbiological data and present the results of these analyses in both oral and written form. This goal is accomplished through both written and oral assignments in core and elective courses, writing the thesis, a thesis seminar, presentation at meetings/conferences, and/or primary literature publication.

Non-thesis M.S.

The Microbiology Graduate Program non-thesis M.S. degree seeks to produce individuals that have obtained fundamental knowledge of modern microbiology research who have demonstrated the ability to conduct experiments and communicate research findings. It is currently reserved for Ph.D. students who in consultation with their advisor and committee decide that the Ph.D. program is not aligned with their career goals or desires. The degree will be awarded when a student has completed all required coursework for the Ph.D. except for passing the qualifying examination and dissertation credits. It requires that their advisor affirm to program leadership that a written summary of work completed during their program to date has been provided.

Goal 3: Graduates will be able to independently analyze microbiological data and present the results of these analyses in both oral and written form. This goal is accomplished through both written and oral assignments in core and elective courses, meetings/conferences, the written summary of work, and/or primary literature publication.

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Program Requirements:

Students are expected to complete 20 credit hours of course-work, 4 hours credit hours of research and 6 hours of thesis research (total of 30 hours) within two years. Only graduate courses completed with a grade of B- or higher will count towards the requirements of the M.S. and Ph.D. program in Microbiology.

Core:

Core Curriculum for Microbiology MS program

BISC 850 - Advanced Topics in Biology Credit(s): 1
MAST 625 - Microbial Physiology and Diversity Credit(s): 3
MAST 626 - Microbial Molecular Genetics Credit(s): 3
MCRO 811 - Current Topics in Microbiology Credit(s): 1

Electives:

Twelve credits from the following course options:

ANFS 635 - Animal Virology Credit(s): 3
ANFS 636 - Immunology of Domestic Animals Credit(s): 3
ANFS 639 - Food Microbiology Credit(s): 4
ANFS 649 - Food Biotechnology Credit(s): 3
ANFS 655 - Gut Health of Domestic Animals Credit(s): 4
ANFS 671 - Paradigms in Cell Signaling Credit(s): 3
BINF 640 - Databases for Bioinformatics Credit(s): 3
BINF 644 - Bioinformatics Credit(s): 3
BINF 690 - Programming for Bioinformatics Credit(s): 3
BINF 694 - Systems Biology I Credit(s): 3
BISC 679 - Virology Credit(s): 3
BISC 682 - Bacterial Pathogens: Molecular Mechanisms Credit(s): 3
CHEG 620 - Advanced Biochemical Engineering Credit(s): 3
CHEG 621 - Metabolic Engineering Credit(s): 3
CHEG 660 - Systems Biology Credit(s): 3
CHEG 840 - Rate Processes & Dynamics for Microbial Systems Credit(s): 2
CHEM 641 - Biochemistry Credit(s): 3
CIEG 644 - Microbiology of Engineered Systems Credit(s): 3
GEOL 604 - Writing in Geoscience Credit(s): 3
GEOL 645 - Geomicrobiology Credit(s): 3
MAST 616 - Methods in Molecular Biology Credit(s): 3
MAST 618 - Microbial Ecology Credit(s): 3
MAST 634 - Marine Molecular Sciences Credit(s): 3
MMSC 650 - Medical Biochemistry Credit(s): 4
MMSC 690 - Clinical and Molecular Cell Biology Credit(s): 3
PLSC 611 - Molecular Plant Pathology Credit(s): 3
PLSC 619 - Soil Microbiology Credit(s): 4
PLSC 645 - Biogeochemical Cycling of Nutrients Credit(s): 3
STAT 608 - Statistical Research Methods Credit(s): 3

Research and Thesis:

Four credit hours of approved research credit and six credit hours of approved thesis credit.

MCRO 868 - RESEARCH Credit(s): 1-12
MCRO 869 - MASTER’S THESIS Credit(s): 1-6