Microbiology & Immunology PhD

Major: Microbiology & Immunology
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 126.0 
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0599
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1022

About the Program

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology offers students a PhD degree. The program is designed to promote understanding of the molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases. The department has research programs in the areas of parasitic, viral and opportunistic infections; bacterial pathogenesis and genomics; inflammation and immunology; and drug development, all driven by investigators with national and international reputations and with extended histories of extramural funding from NIH and other sources. Students are exposed to an integrated curriculum that includes the essentials for biomedical research, as well as emphasizing host-pathogen interactions through a series of molecular pathogenesis courses covering viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, as well as immunology. Upon completing these programs, students pursue careers in academic, governmental or industrial settings.

The PhD program trains individuals to conduct independent hypothesis-driven research and to teach in the fields of microbiology and immunology. The program includes two years of coursework as well as original research leading to published thesis work. Laboratory rotations begin in the fall of the first year.  The average amount of time to completion is five years.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College of Medicine's Microbiology & Immunology program website.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in all types of pathogens (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic) and the host response to these interactions are encouraged to apply. There are no minimum requirements, but applicants should be competitive with regard to grades, research experience and letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to use email to contact the program director or any of the faculty of the program with whom they may share scientific interests to discuss their suitability to the program and/or potential projects in relevant laboratories.

Drexel University College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies has a rolling admissions policy, which means that complete applications are reviewed as they are received. Applicants are therefore advised to apply early, as decisions to accept or deny admission may be made before the official deadlines.

Additional Information

To learn more about applying to the Microbiology & Immunology program, please visit the Microbiology & Immunology program website.

To learn more about applying to Drexel University College of Medicine programs, please visit the College of Medicine’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies website.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses
IDPT 500SResponsible Conduct of Research2.0
IDPT 502SLearn Early As Professionals I (LEAP I)1.0
IDPT 504SLearn Early and Practice (LEAP II)1.0
IDPT 533SCore Principles in Biochemistry & Cell Biology4.0
IDPT 600SThesis Defense9.0
MIIM 502SMicrobiology and Immunology Journal Club *9.0
MIIM 504SMicrobiology and Immunology 1st Rotation4.0
MIIM 505SMicrobiology and Immunology 2nd Rotation4.0
MIIM 506SMicrobiology and Immunology 3rd Rotation4.0
MIIM 508SImmunology I3.0
MIIM 512SMolecular Pathogenesis I (Viral Pathogenesis)2.0
MIIM 513SMolecular Pathogenesis II3.0
MIIM 514SGrant Building2.0
MIIM 517SApplied Statistics for Biomedical Sciences2.0
MIIM 600SMicrobiology and Immunology Thesis Research **63.0
MIIM 606SMicrobiology and Immunology Seminar *9.0
Advanced Electives
Choose at least two Advanced Electives for a minimum of four credits4.0-6.0
Structural Bioinformatics
Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
Immunology II
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Experimental Therapeutics
Advanced Omics
Advanced Molecular Virology
Advanced Molecular Biology
General Electives
Teaching Practicum I
Teaching Practicum II
Teaching Practicum III
Total Credits126.0-128.0
*

Taken each semester until Thesis Defense

**

Taken each semester starting in Year two until Thesis Defense 

Sample Plan of Study

Full-Time Option 126-128

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IDPT 502S1.0IDPT 500S2.0
IDPT 533S4.0IDPT 504S1.0
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 504S4.0MIIM 505S4.0
MIIM 508S3.0MIIM 506S4.0
MIIM 512S2.0MIIM 513S3.0
MIIM 606S1.0MIIM 517S2.0
 MIIM 606S1.0
 16 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 600S9.0MIIM 514S2.0
MIIM 606S1.0MIIM 606S1.0
Advanced Elective2.0-3.0MIIM 600S9.0
 Advanced Elective2.0-3.0
 13-14 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 600S9.0MIIM 600S9.0
MIIM 606S1.0MIIM 606S1.0
 11 11
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 600S9.0MIIM 600S9.0
MIIM 606S1.0MIIM 606S1.0
 11 11
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0IDPT 600S9.0
MIIM 600S9.0 
MIIM 606S1.0 
 11 9
Total Credits 126-128

Part-Time Option

Post-Master Credits Required: 39.0

First Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IDPT 502S1.0MIIM 513S3.0
IDPT 533S4.0MIIM 606S1.0
MIIM 606S1.0IDPT 500S2.0
 IDPT 504S1.0
 6 7
Second Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 508S3.0MIIM 504S4.0
MIIM 512S2.0MIIM 517S2.0
 6 7
Third Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 505S4.0MIIM 506S4.0
Advanced Elective2.0-3.0Advanced Elective 2.0-3.0
 6-7 6-7
Fourth Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 514S2.0MIIM 600S (*)5.0
MIIM 600S (*)5.0MIIM 502S1.0
 MIIM 606S1.0
 7 7
Fifth Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 600S (*)5.0MIIM 600S (*)5.0
MIIM 606S1.0MIIM 606S1.0
 7 7
Sixth Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0MIIM 502S1.0
MIIM 600S (*)5.0MIIM 606S1.0
MIIM 606S1.0MIIM 600S (*)5.0
 7 7
Seventh Year (Part-Time)
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MIIM 502S1.0IDPT 600S9.0
MIIM 606S1.0 
MIIM 600S (*)5.0 
 7 9
Total Credits 96-98
*

Program total credits are 126.0 to 128.0

Other program requirements include the Preliminary Examination and Qualifying Examination.

Part-time students may spend approximately 9.5 years in the MIIM PhD program.

Students with a related MS degree may be admitted to the Part-time PhD program with advanced standing. This may reduce the requirements for graduation.

*MIIM Thesis Research is a variable credit course (1-9 credits). A total of 63.0 credits must be earned.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

  • Have attained functional knowledge of the fields of virology, immunology, bacteriology, mycology and parasitology.
  • Have attained a general knowledge of the basic concepts in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology.
  • Be able to critically read and analyze the current literature within the research field.
  • Be able to communicate effectively in science.
  • Be able to conduct basic or applied research in microbiology or immunology.
  • Understand how to conduct scientific research in a professional and ethical manner.
  • Be prepared for a career in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical field.
  • Be prepared for advanced training or education in microbiology or immunology.