Microbiology & Immunology PhD

Major: Microbiology & Immunology
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 126.0 
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0599
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1022

About the Program

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology offers students a PhD degree. The program is designed to promote understanding of the molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases. The department has research programs in the areas of parasitic, viral and opportunistic infections; bacterial pathogenesis and genomics; inflammation and immunology; and drug development, all driven by investigators with national and international reputations and with extended histories of extramural funding from NIH and other sources. Students are exposed to an integrated curriculum that includes the essentials for biomedical research, as well as emphasizing host-pathogen interactions through a series of molecular pathogenesis courses covering viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, as well as immunology. Upon completing these programs, students pursue careers in academic, governmental or industrial settings.

The PhD program trains individuals to conduct independent hypothesis-driven research and to teach in the fields of microbiology and immunology. The program includes two years of coursework as well as original research leading to published thesis work. Laboratory rotations begin in the fall of the first year.  The average amount of time to completion is five years.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College of Medicine's Microbiology & Immunology program website.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in all types of pathogens (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic) and the host response to these interactions are encouraged to apply. There are no minimal requirements, but applicants should be competitive with regard to grades, research experience, and letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to use email to contact the program director or any of the faculty of the program with whom they may share scientific interests to discuss their suitability to the program and/or potential projects in relevant laboratories.

The Drexel University College of Medicine: School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies has a rolling admissions policy, which means that complete applications are reviewed as they are received. Applicants are therefore advised to apply early, as decisions to accept or deny admission may be made before the official deadlines.

Additional Information

To learn more about applying to the Microbiology and Immunology program please visit the Microbiology & Immunology program specific website.

To learn more about applying to Drexel College of Medicine programs, please visit the College of Medicine’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies website.

Degree Requirements

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Taken each semester until Thesis Defense

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Taken each semester starting in Year two until Thesis Defense 

Sample Plan of Study