Microbiology, PhD
Program Description
Degree Awarded: Microbiology, PhD
The PhD program in microbiology offers a dynamic research environment; a broad range of basic, translational and use-inspired research areas; cutting-edge transdisciplinary training; and opportunities to work with world-class faculty and collaborative research partners committed to training scientific leaders with skills necessary for addressing significant global microbiological problems and challenges.
This program focuses on the smallest of living things and immunology. Students can tailor the program around their interests and gain skills in contemporary approaches used in microbiology, biomedicine and biotechnology. They train in a broad array of fields, including microbial ecology and evolution, geomircrobiology, bacterial physiology and genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, metabolic engineering, immunology and vaccine development, and cancer biology.
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.
Interdisciplinary partners within ASU
Participating faculty members and researchers come from many departments, colleges, centers and institutes across the university.
- ASU School of Life Sciences
- ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
- ASU The Biodesign Institute
- ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
- ASU School for Energy, Material and Transport Engineering
Interdisciplinary parters outside ASU
Courses and electives
Elective courses (6 - 24 credit hours)
- MIC 791 Seminar: Virology Journal Club
- MIC 598 Special Topics: Immun: Molecular and Cell Foundations
- MIC 598 Special Topics: Advanced Immunology
- MCB 791 Seminar: Molecular Virology Journal Club
- BIO 611 Topics Resp Conduct Research: Emerging Technologies Life Science
- MIC 598: Immunology: Molecular & Cellular Foundations
- MIC 598: General Virology
- MIC 598: Advanced Immunology
- MIC 598: Bacterial Diversity and Systematics
- MIC 598: Novel Models for Host-Microbe Interactions
- MIC 598: Bioinformatic Analysis of High-throughput DNA Data
- MIC 598: Bacterial Pathogenesis
- MIC 598: Geomicrobiology
- MIC 598: Microbial Ecology and Evolution
- MIC 598: Viromics
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Second Language Requirement: No
Degree Requirements
Required Core (4 credit hours)
BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research in Life Sciences (1)
MIC 501 Foundations in Microbiology (3)
Electives or Research (68 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
MIC 799 Dissertation (12)
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they 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 applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants must submit the following:
- 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.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program's intense and interactive educational and research training are prepared for advanced careers in research and education, specifically in bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology and oncology.
Career possibilities are diverse, with opportunities in academic organizations, research and development industries, government service, and other professional organizations. Examples include:
- instructors in universities and colleges
- principal investigators in government labs and nonprofit organizations
- professors in universities and colleges
- research associates in universities
- research scientists in industry
Application and admission information
How to apply
Applications open September 1 for admission in Fall of the following year. The application deadline is December 1. We accept applications for Fall semesters only. We cannot guarantee that applications received after the December 1 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
Application review process and timeline
Following the December 1 deadline, faculty will begin reviewing applications. Applicants should monitor their My ASU priority tasks to ensure there are no missing materials in their application.
Faculty will decide which applicants they would like to invite to our Graduate Recruitment Weekends (GRWs), typically held in February. Applicants will hear from the School of Life Sciences in January if they are invited to participate in the GRWs.
Admission decisions will begin after the GRWs, and applicants typically receive final decisions by April 1.
Requirements
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.
Funding
Students offered admission to a PhD program in the School of Life Sciences will typically receive a funding offer as well. While individual funding offers may differ to some degree, they typically include teaching assistant and/or research assistant positions each semester (summer optional) for 5 years. These positions provide financial coverage through the following:
- A standard salary stipend paid biweekly
- Tuition remission covering enrollment in 6-18 credit hours for fall and spring semesters and 1-14 credit hours for summer semesters
- Health insurance coverage
To discover more, check out the ASU Graduate College's funding opportunities!
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Global Experience
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Program Contact Information
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