Ph.D. Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

The Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology offers a Doctor of Philosophy program geared toward training students for future independent research careers in an academic or industrial setting.

The program introduces students to research early in their first year through rotations in laboratories. Subsequent required course work in basic and advanced topics and an intensive research experience are designed to foster independent and critical thinking.

Because the background of applicants varies widely, the advisers consult with each student to design an individualized schedule of prescribed courses. In the course of their program, all students are expected to become familiar with the principles of microbiology and general biochemistry and to study advanced biochemistry, microbial physiology and genetics, immunology, virology, molecular biology, and chemical and viral oncology.

It is the policy of the department to encourage the student to complete the degree program for the Ph.D. as rapidly as possible. Ph.D. degrees are currently taking an average of four-and-a-half to five years. Students admitted for studies leading to the Ph.D. may request a change in degree objective to the M.S. with the permission of the faculty.

Program Requirements

• The Ph.D. degree in molecular microbiology and immunology requires a minimum of 60 units of graduate study. At least 30 of these units must be taken at USC.
  
• Students must complete all courses with a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0 and must maintain this average in order to remain in the graduate program.
  
• Students must pass a written examination administered at the end of the first year of graduate study.
  
• Students must submit annual research progress reports and future plans for appraisal by his or her research committee. A satisfactory appraisal (ARA) is required of every student for each year in residence.
  
• Students in the Ph.D. program must pass both the written and oral portions of a qualifying examination covering an independent research proposition (not in area of dissertation work) and knowledge of relevant concepts.
  
• A final ARA, considered a preliminary draft of the dissertation, is required before the student is permitted to begin writing the dissertation.
  
• Candidates are required to complete and defend a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation must demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent research, scholarly achievement and technical mastery of a special field. The oral examination is a defense of the major research conclusions of the dissertation and is open to the university community.

M.S. Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

The primary objectives of the Master of Science program are to provide the necessary theoretical preparation for microbiological and immunological careers and to expose students to microbiological and immunological research activities culminating with the Master of Science degree.

The department offers thesis and non-thesis options. Students must choose one of these options by the end of the first year of study. Typically, students take two years to complete the degree requirements.

Goals of the program are to train students in preparation for

• Microbiological and immunological positions in industry and academia
  
• Teaching positions at the community college level
  
• Further doctoral study

Program Requirements

• The master’s degree in molecular microbiology and immunology requires a total of 34 units of elective graduate study as determined by the student’s Advisory Committee.
  
• Candidates pursuing the thesis option must complete a written thesis based on original research.
  
• Students pursuing the non-thesis option must complete course work.

For more information, please see the USC Catalogue »

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