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LIFE SCIENCES - SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE
www.biomed.miami.edu
MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY - Dept. Code: MIC
http://chroma.med.miami.edu/micro/
Objective
The objective is to provide multi-faceted training opportunities
for students to become highly competitive for various postgraduate
careers upon acquisition of their Ph.D. from the Microbiology
and Immunology (MIC) Graduate Program.
The program trains students to rigorously investigate central
topics and applications based on a broad comprehension of
interdisciplinary science provided by the Program in Interdisciplinary
Biomedical Sciences (PIBS) in year 1. Thereafter, the MIC
Graduate Program offers students a specialty curriculum that
is interactive and discussion based.
Furthermore, students are in charge of a research project
in either viral or bacterial pathogenesis or in molecular
immunology, autoimmunity, tumor immunity or transplantation.
Finally, the MIC program offers outstanding training opportunities
in translational research in the respective diseases or in
therapeutical settings.
Goals
The goals of the MIC Graduate Program are five-fold:
1) Train up critical and creative scientific minds built
on solid interdisciplinary knowledge of Microbiology or
Immunology
2) Train technical laboratory skills necessary to perform
experiments in the area of specialization
3) Continue PIBS training of skills necessary to present
scientific findings orally and in writing, including independent
research plans as well as competitive manuscripts and grant
proposals
4) Prepare students to become the teachers of tomorrow by
involving them in the active teaching process of a laboratory
class for undergraduate students (Microbiology 301)
5) Nourish the next generation of a networked community
of scientists that is well prepared for challenging postgraduate
careers.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All students for the Microbiology & Immunology doctoral
graduate program are admitted through PIBS along with students
interested in other Ph.D. programs at UMMSM (Biochemistry
& Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Human Genetics &
Genomics, Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology, Molecular
& Cellular Pharmacology, Neuroscience, and Physiology
& Biophysics). The PIBS Admissions Committee will review
and make decisions on complete applications after December
15th.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a biological
or related discipline (e.g., psychology, chemistry, engineering,
physics). Although there are no absolute prerequisites, courses
in general biology, cell/molecular biology, calculus, general
physics, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry
are encouraged.
Strong candidates will have research experience in a laboratory
setting, an excellent academic record and GRE scores, excellent
letters of recommendation from scientists who know the candidate
well, and the motivation to pursue state-of-the-art biomedical
research. Applicants should apply online at: www.biomed.miami.edu
First year of Graduate Study in Microbiology and
Immunology
In the first-year PIBS training phase, students of all graduate
programs at UMMSM participate in a common curriculum to build
a solid foundation in biomedical science. The core coursework
in the fall ranges from molecules to cells to systems of human
physiology. Lectures are balanced by breakout sessions, in
which faculty members discuss the primary literature with
students in small groups. The core curriculum also offers
critical learning opportunities in biostatistics and in using
genomic and other databases, as well as education in ethics.
Students meet several times in small groups with experienced
faculty mentors to discuss important issues of faculty development.
Specific coursework relating to Microbiology and Immunology
is largely being offered in the second PIBS semester.
Graduation
To be eligible for graduation, students must present and
defend an acceptable Ph.D. dissertation embodying original
investigative findings suitable for publication. The doctoral
degree in Microbiology and Immunology normally requires five
to six years beyond the baccalaureate.
Financial Support
All students accepted are awarded a stipend of $25,500 per
annum (as of June 1, 2009) and receive a full tuition scholarship.
In addition, if students choose the University of Miami graduate
student health insurance program, 80% of the individual insurance
premium will be covered.
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