Microbiology and Immunology

The program of the department is designed to provide the Ph.D. candidate with the tools required for a research career. The research activities of the faculty span a broad spectrum of sub-disciplines and utilize cellular, biochemical, and molecular approaches to study current problems in microbiology and immunology.

To ensure that students become acquainted with the dynamics of the host/parasite relationship, including host defense systems, an emphasis is placed on the relationship of these microorganisms to disease. Upon entering each student and his/her advisor plan an academic program. Courses are chosen to fit individual needs from both departmental offerings and from pertinent courses offered by other departments. Course work is usually complete in the first three semesters. During this time the student also participates in both the departmental seminar program and research rotations through the laboratories of faculty members chosen by the student. Laboratory rotations provide the opportunity for students to become acquainted with faculty research programs available for thesis research.

A minimum of 34 credit hours is required for the Ph.D degree. It is expected that all students will complete courses in General Microbiology, General Biochemistry, Advanced Techniques in Microbiology and Immunology, and Microbiology Seminar. Graduate level specialty courses offered by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology or other graduate departments of the University may be taken to fulfill the remainder of the credit hour requirement, and are chosen after consultation with the student's advisor. For students entering with advanced degrees, the program can be modified in accordance with their previous background, training and interests.

Students that enroll in the program must complete 34 credit hours with at least a "B" average in order to graduate. Following the completion of requisite coursework, students must pass a series of Comprehensive Examinations before continuing on to the Thesis Research portion of their curriculum.

* Georgetown University Medical Center offers numerous elective courses in Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Epidemiology, Biodefense, and Science Policy.

FIRST YEAR 

Summer 

• MICB-985 Laboratory Rotation Summer [0 credits]

Fall 

• BCHB-501 Biochemical & Cellular Sciences [4 credits] 
• BCHB-528 Modern Methods in Molecular Biology [3 credits] 
• MICB-612 Immunology [3 credits] 
• MICB-614 Bacteriology and Mycology [3 credits] 
• MICB-986 Laboratory Rotation Fall [0 credits] 

Spring 

• CBIO-539 Molecular Cell Biology [4 credits] 
• MICB-619 Biology/Biochemistry of Viruses [3 credits] 
• MICB-629 Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis [3 credits] 
• PHAR-534 Ethical Issues in Scientific Research [2 credits] 
• Electives [3 credits] 
• MICB-987 Laboratory Rotation Spring [0 credits] 

SECOND YEAR 

Summer 

• MICB-985 Laboratory Rotation Summer [0 credits] 

Fall 

• BIST-501 Applied Biostatistics [3 credits] *
• PHAR-529 Applied Statistics [2 credits] *
• Electives [3 or 4 credits] **
• MICB-999 Thesis Research [0 credits] 
• Written qualifying and oral comprehensive examinations

Spring 

• MICB-999 Thesis Research [0 credits]

NOTE: Students must select one of the courses with an asterisk ( * )

NOTE: If you are taking BIST-501, you will need to take 3 additional elective credits during the second year fall semester.  If you are taking PHAR-529, you will need to take 4 additional elective credits during this semester ( ** )

Additional Degree Requirements: 

1. Attendance and participation in Departmental Seminar Series. 

2. Two to three research rotations with Microbiology & Immunology research faculty. 

• Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Resume/CV (including publications, if applicable)
• Official Transcripts
  (Note: For the Ph.D. and M.S. programs in Microbiology and Immunology ONLY (2 programs) - WES transcript evaluations are required of students with international degrees.) 
• Official Recommendations (3)
• Official Score Report for the GRE General Test 
  (Note: MCAT scores can be submitted in place of GRE scores for MS applications ONLY.)
  (Note: The M.S. in Biomedical Science Policy and Advociacy Program and M.S. in Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases DO NOT require the GRE General Test.  Our Ph.D. and M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology do require the GRE General Test.)
• Official Score Report for the TOEFL/IELTS Required for Non-Native English Speakers 
• Statement of Purpose: 500-word (max) academic statement of purpose should describe your academic and professional goals and their fit with the biomedical graduate program

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PREREQUISITES:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required, though 3.5 or higher is preferred
• GRE General Test scores of 300 combined or higher (GRE revised General Test - tests taken on or after August 1, 2011) or 1200 combined or higher (GRE General Tests - tests taken prior to August 1, 2011); and 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing section are preferred.
• For Non-Native English Speakers: Minimum TOEFL score of 80 or minimum IELTS score of 7 is required

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:

Official Test Results - To request an official score report, see the contact information for the major standardized testing organizations below:

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  Georgetown University Graduate School (ETS Code: 5244)
  Telephone: 609-771-7670
  http://www.gre.org
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
  Georgetown University MCAT Code: Please follow the instructions provided by the program to which you are applying.
  Telephone: 319-337-1357
  https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/scores/

Scholarships

Assistantships and fellowships normally include a stipend and a full tuition scholarship. For 2015-2016, the stipend for the PhD program in Microbiology & Immunology is $29,000. An average of 2 students is awarded each year. Thesis research tuition for PhD students is $5,500 per annum and Fellows' tuition and several other fees are covered by the University, in addition to their stipend. Only full-time students pursuing the Ph.D. will be considered for assistantship and fellowship awards.