Microbiology and Immunology, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Cabral, Dr. Guy A.
Graduate Program Director
gacabral@vcu.edu
(804) 828-2306
Web:
www.vcu.edu/micro/
Admission requirements summary
Microbiology and Immunology, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
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| Degree: Ph.D. |
Semester(s) of entry: Fall preferred |
Deadline dates: Applications received prior to Dec 17 given priority consideration |
Test requirements: GRE or MCAT |
| Special requirements: Combined GRE Verbal and Quantitative Score of 1200 or greater, MCAT score of 26 or greater International applicants must score greater than 600 (paper) on GRE verbal and quantitative tests, greater than 250 (computer) on TOEFL MCAT acceptable in lieu of GRE for combined professional/academic degree programs | |||
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology has an outstanding faculty with diverse research interests that include cell and molecular biology, molecular genetics, molecular pathogenesis, bacteriology, immunology, immunotoxicology, virology, parasitology, mycology, and oncology. The goal of the graduate program is to prepare students to become creative problem solvers and leaders in scientific research. The Ph.D. degree is offered, as well as an M.D./Ph.D. degree for medical students interested in academic or research careers.
The research experience is complemented with excellent course offerings, seminar programs, teaching opportunities, presentations at scientific meetings and writing of grant applications and scientific papers. Graduate students acquire a wide range of research experience in the first year through exposure to a variety of research laboratories and investigators. The student chooses a research adviser, undergoes an oral examination and then carries out an original, independent research project under the direction of the adviser. The project falls under the review of an advisory committee, and a written dissertation is defended in a final oral examination.
Curriculum
| Semester 1 – fall (recommended for all first-year students) | |
| Temporary adviser appointed | |
| IBMS 600 Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| IBMS 610 Laboratory Opportunities | 0.5 |
| IBMS 620 Laboratory Rotations (two sections) | 4 |
| IBMS 630 Critical Thinking | 1 |
| IBMS 690 Basic Health Sciences Research Seminar | 1 |
| IBMS 691 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (S/U/F) | 0.5-4 |
| IBMS 692 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (graded) | 0.5-4 |
| MICR/BIOC 503 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 1-5 |
| MICR 505 Immunobiology | 3 |
| MICR 515 Principles of Molecular Microbiology | 3 |
| Semester 2 – spring (recommended for all first-year students) | |
| IBMS 620 Laboratory Rotations | 2 |
| IBMS 680 Proposal Preparation | 1 |
| IBMS 690 Basic Health Sciences Research Seminar | 1 |
| IBMS 691 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (S/U/F) | 0.5-4 |
| IBMS 692 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (graded) | 0.5-4 |
| MICR/BIOC 504 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 1-5 |
| MICR 616 Mechanisms of Viral and Parasite Pathogenesis* | 3 |
| MICR 618 Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis* | 3 |
| MICR 686 Advanced Immunobiology* | 2 |
| * students take two of three classes | |
| Cumulative GPA of 3.0 required to continue; permanent adviser chosen after three rotations completed. | |
| Summer 1 | |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable (1-6) |
| Semesters 3 and 4 – fall/spring | |
| MICR 607 Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 2 |
| MICR 690 Microbiology Research Seminar [departmental (attendance required)] | 1 |
| MICR 691 Special Topics in Microbiology [journal club (graded Pass/Fail)] | 1 |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable |
| OVPR 601 Scientific Integrity | 1 |
| Optional electives | |
| MICR 605 Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| MICR/BNFO 653 Advanced Molecular Genetics: Bioinformatics | 3 |
| Student’s GAC formed, first meeting held in the fall; written examination in the spring. | |
| Summer 2 | |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable (1-6) |
| Semesters 5 and 6 – fall/spring | |
| MICR 690 Microbiology Research Seminar [departmental (attendance required)] | 1 |
| MICR 691 Special Topics in Microbiology [journal club (graded Pass/Fail)] | 1 |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable |
| Oral examination | |
| Summer 3 | |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable (1-6) |
| Semesters 7 and 8 – fall/spring | |
| MICR 690 Microbiology Research Seminar [departmental (attendance required)] | 1 |
| MICR 691 Special Topics in Microbiology [journal club (graded Pass/Fail)] | 1 |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable |
| Summer 4 | |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable (1-6) |
| Semesters 9 and 10 – fall/spring | |
| MICR 690 Microbiology Research Seminar [departmental (attendance required)] | 1 |
| MICR 691 Special Topics in Microbiology [journal club (graded Pass/Fail)] | 1 |
| MICR 697 Directed Research in Microbiology | variable |
| Thesis defense |