Microbiology, MS

At a Glance: program details

Location:
Tempe campus
Second Language Requirement: No

Student Handbook

When you become an expert in microbes, you'll be able to contribute to the greater good. Learn how microbes impact human health and the environment, and receive theoretical and practical training in your chosen area of interest.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MS Microbiology

In the Master of Science program in microbiology, students are trained in microbial ecology and evolution, geomicrobiology, bacterial physiology and genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, metabolic engineering, immunology and vaccine development, and cancer biology. Students receive advanced training in the study of microbes and their impact on humankind, disease and the environment. The tools they use are as varied as nanotechnologies, genomics, mathematical models and satellite-based imaging.

Students receive training in teaching as well as in basic, translational and use-inspired research with world-class faculty and collaborative research partners. Faculty members are associated with the School of Life Sciences, The Biodesign Institute, The Translational Genomics Institute, Barrow Neurological Institute, and other area hospitals and research centers.

Learning Outcomes

Able to carry out a research plan in an area of Microbiology under advisement of their mentors.
Able to review the scholarly literature associated with research questions in microbiology.
Able to communicate science effectively, both orally and in writing.

Interdisciplinary Partners

Participating faculty members and researchers come from many departments, colleges, centers and institutes across the university, including:

Additional faculty members are based at partner institutions in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including:

Program Faculty

Application and admission information

Applications open September 1 for admission in Fall of the following year. The application deadline is November 15. We accept applications for Fall semesters only. We cannot guarantee that applications received after the November 15 deadline will be considered for admission.

All applicants must apply by filling out ASU's Graduate Admissions application. All application materials must be submitted through the application or to Graduate Admissions directly. Please do not mail or email any documents to the School of Life Sciences.

Required materials and information include the following:

1-2 page personal statement
An up to date CV or resume
The names of relevant SOLS faculty you have been in touch with who you might be interested in being supervised by
Unofficial transcripts and English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
The names and emails of at least 3 recommenders to write you letters of recommendation

Following the November 15 deadline, faculty will begin reviewing applications. Applicants should monitor their My ASU priority tasks to ensure there are no missing materials in their application. Admission decisions will begin in March, and applicants typically receive final decisions by April 1.

Minimum requirements for admission include the following:

Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
International applicants must satisfy university minimum requirements for English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE). There are other ways to demonstrate English proficiency beyond the tests, so please refer to ASU's English proficiency webpage to review how you might satisfy requirements.

Desired qualifications typically seen in competitive candidates:

Research experience and a letter of recommendation from a faculty research supervisor
English proficiency scores that meet these teaching assistant language proficiency requirements

Please note that the GRE is not required.

There is a unique process for eligible ASU undergraduate students to apply to an accelerated BS/MS program in the School of Life Sciences, involving a two-phase application process students initiate when they have about 75 credit hours of their bachelor's completed. Please see details about accelerated BS/MS programs and our application process by reviewing the Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's of Science webpage.

In the School of Life Sciences, there is no funding guarantee for students admitted to a master's degree. If admitted, master's students are able to request teaching assistant positions each semester. However, positions may only be assigned on a first come, first serve basis pending position availability. Research assistant positions are uncommon for master's students but ultimately depend on the student's faculty research supervisor. Teaching and research assistant positions for master's students come with a salary for the semester assigned, but do not include tuition or health insurance assistance.

Given the lack of position guarantee, master's students should ensure they understand the tuition costs they will be responsible for. Tuition varies depending on a student's residency status. To review anticipated tuition costs, please utilize ASU's tuition estimator.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

30 credit hours and a thesis

Required Core (3 credit hours)
MIC 501 Foundations in Microbiology (3)

Electives and Research (21 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
MIC 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in the biological sciences, biochemistry or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

graduate admission application and application fee
official transcripts
academic record form
personal statement
curriculum vitae or resume
three letters of recommendation
proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Prior research experience is a desired qualification for admission.

Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

BS - Microbiology

Are you fascinated by the incredible way the tiniest organisms can impact our lives? Are you eager to make a difference in science, health and medicine? Dive in and explore the wonders of microbiology, and set yourself up for success in your future career.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

BS - Neuroscience

Discover how the brain and nervous system function to produce behavior, cognition and emotion. Work alongside award-winning faculty in labs at the leading edge of neuroscience research. Spanning four foundational areas of neuroscience, this program will guide you toward a career in health and research-related fields.