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Education / Graduate Education / Master's Degrees / BS/MS Program in Immunology, Microbiology and Virology

 

BS/MS Program in Immunology, Microbiology and Virology

The application for fall 2025 is now open.

 

The application deadline for Fall is May 1st each year. Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact:
Jacques Robert, Professor and Chair of Microbiology and Immunology
Phone: (585) 275-1722

Objectives

This degree program is designed to actively prepare graduates for careers in biomedical research by allowing them to earn both BS and MS degrees in 5 years. Pursuit of the MS in Immunology, Microbiology, and Virology affords the opportunity for selected students to receive intensive, advanced training in the allied fields of immunology, microbiology, virology, and biotechnology, with a focus on hands-on research and “real world” skills including critical scientific thinking, scientific communication, group dynamic, problem-solving and data analysis, and instruction in drug discovery. Active training in bioinformatics, cGMP stem cell manufacturing, and other advanced methodologies is included. The goals are to reflect the interconnectivity and complexity biomedical sciences as well as the increasing requirement for teamwork in problem solving in the workforce.

Requirements for Admissions

  • Current UR undergraduates
  • Strong academic record
  • Minimum 3.3 GPA in major
  • Demonstrated commitment to pursue research (e.g., Independent Research IND/MBI 395)

Pre-Application Requirements

  • Email application
  • Personal statement
  • Letter of recommendation by a research advisor or professor in the major discipline
  • Official transcripts
  • Interviews with the Program Director and members of the admission committee

Full Application Requirements

  • Online application (deadline May 1 of each year)
  • Personal statement
  • 3 Letters of recommendation by professors in the major discipline (the recommendations for the pre-application may be used)
  • Official University of Rochester transcripts

Application timeline

  • Between the spring of junior year and the fall of senior year:  pre-application
  • May 1: Complete application due
  • May-June: Offer of Admission notices
  • May-June: Summer semester begins
  • July 1: Offer accepted by students
  • August: Orientation
  • September: Fall semester begin

BS/MS Scholarships

BS/MS candidates may apply for one of two scholarships, the Menegus and Marquis awards in microbiology, which support an equivalent of 25% of the BS/MS tuition. Candidates may apply to only one these scholarships.

Scholarship Details

Immunology, Microbiology and Virology BS/MS Curriculum

Required Courses (total 8.0 credits)
Course Number Course Name Credit Hours Offered

MBI 518

Critical Thinking in Research

1.0

Spring

MBI 402

Writing in Microbiology

3.0

Spring

MBI 403

Drug Discovery

2.0

Spring

IND 501

Ethics in Research

1.0

Fall

Select at least 4 - 400 level courses (12 or 13 credit hours)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours Offered

MBI 404

Introduction to Emerging Pathogens

3.0

Spring

MBI 414 Microbial Pathogenesis 3.0 Spring

MBI 421

Microbial Genetics

3.0

Spring

MBI 456

General Virology

4.0

Spring

MBI 473

Immunology

3.0

Fall

MBI 492 Microbiome 3.0 Fall

Elective/Seminar Courses:
Select a total of 3.0 Credit Hours (1 - 2.0 credit hour or 2 - 1.0 credit hour PLUS MBI 501* for 1.0 credit hour)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours Offered
MBI 501 * Student Seminar 1.0 Fall/Spring
MBI 514 Microbial Pathogenesis Seminar 1.0 Spring
MBI 521 Microbial Genetics Seminar 1.0 Spring

MBI 540

Topics in Immunology

2.0

Spring

MBI 570 Molecular Biology Seminar 1.0 Fall and Spring

MBI 573

Immunology Seminar

2.0

Fall

MBI 580

Immunology Research in Progress (RIPS)

1.0

Fall and Spring

MBI 588 Virology Research Seminar 1.0 Fall and Spring
MBI 589 Advanced Topics in Virology 1.0 Fall

Research (total 6 - 12 credit hours)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours Offered

MBI 496

MS Project 1 (FALL)

 

Fall

MBI 496 MS Project II (SPRING)   Spring