Microbiology, MS
for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology
The Department of Microbiology does not admit students to the Microbiology MS degree program. Admission to graduate study is only through the PhD degree program. Information about the Microbiology PhD program can be found here.
Graduate Degree Program in Microbiology
The Department of Microbiology at Illinois offers unique opportunities for graduate students to become skilled and creative microbiologists. Our graduate program of study leads to the doctor of philosophy degree (PhD). Students interested in the Microbiology PhD program must apply directly to the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. During the first semester, students perform three laboratory rotations, choosing from any laboratory in the School. Students select a laboratory for their thesis research in December and formally join the appropriate graduate program at that time.
Admission
Applicants interested in the Microbiology PhD program will need to apply directly to the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) PhD program. The MCB PhD program is an umbrella program that requires admitted students to spend their first semester rotating among three different labs to explore their interests before joining one of our four departments.
MCB Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences, a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher (A = 4.0), prior research experience and three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic and research background. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. Applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in Microbiology should have a total of at least 15 credit hours of physical or biology sciences, including general biology, or microbiology, chemistry through organic chemistry and biochemistry, and mathematics through calculus. In addition to these requirements, non-native English speaking applicants must attain a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) overall score of 96, with a score of at least 22 on the speaking section. MCB does not accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to show English proficiency. Graduate College requirements also apply.
for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology
The Department of Microbiology does not admit students to the Microbiology MS degree program. Admission to graduate study is only through the PhD degree program. Information about the Microbiology PhD program can be found here.
For specific information, refer to the Department's Graduate Student Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework (not including MICR 590) | 8 | |
| Research/Project Hours (4 min applied toward degree) | 4 | |
| MICR 599 | Thesis Research (0 min applied toward degree) | 0 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 8 (500 level) |
| Minimum Number of 500-level Hours Required Overall in Program: | 12 |
| Completion of one of the following and approval by the research advisor and head of the department: a research thesis; submission of a manuscript with the candidate as first author and to which the candidate has made the major contribution; the successful passing of the departmental preliminary exam. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework (not including MICR 590) | 8 | |
| Research/Project Hours (4 min applied toward degree) | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 8 (500 level) |
| Minimum Number of 500-level Hours Required Overall in Program: | 12 |
| Completion of one of the following and approval by the research advisor and head of the department: a research thesis; submission of a manuscript with the candidate as first author and to which the candidate has made the major contribution; the successful passing of the departmental preliminary exam. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology
Effective oral communication skills that are developed via one or more of the following tasks: group discussions in courses; presentations in departmental seminar courses; discussion of scientific topics in courses; defending their work in a preliminary exam; acting as a teaching assistant for at least 2 semesters; giving yearly student seminars.
Effective written communication skills that are developed via one or more of the following tasks: writing at least one original, full-length manuscript that has been accepted for publication in a refereed journal; writing a dissertation; writing an NIH-style grant for the preliminary exam.
A level of competency and research independence commensurate with the degree, such that they can obtain an initial science-related placement in a job that uses critical thinking components.
Demonstrated ability to organize and execute a research project that uses critical-thinking components and problem-solving expertise, hypothesis-driven, and fills a gap in knowledge.
Knowledge of the discipline and acquired technical skills in general Microbiology and in their specialized Microbiology research area.
for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology
Department of Microbiology
Head of Department: James Slauch
Directors of Graduate Studies: Andrei Kuzminov, Cari Vanderpool, and Rachel Whitaker
Microbiology Department website
B103 Chemical and Life Sciences Laboratory, 601 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-1736
MCB Graduate Admissions email
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website
School of Molecular & Cellular Biology
School of Molecular & Cellular Biology website
Admissions
Overview of MCB Admissions Requirements
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements