The Ph. D. program in Microbiology and Immunology is offered by the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG), within the College of Medicine (COM). MIMG graduate students can focus their studies in the core disciplines of microbiology and immunology or in cross-disciplinary areas such as cancer immunology, immune response to infection, and the role of the microbiota in human health and disease.
Through a research-intensive experience and development of strong communication skills, the program is designed to prepare students for research careers in academia, industry, and government, as well as teaching careers in colleges and universities. The program has at its heart a close student-mentor relationship that allows for the maximum flexibility in the development of independent and creative scientists and teachers. Students in good academic standing are supported by a research assistantship that provides a yearly stipend and tuition.
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted through the COM Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program (https://medicine.uky.edu/departments/microbiology/graduate-studies). The IBS program is an ‘umbrella’ program that handles admissions and organizes first-year course work for students in the COM basic sciences departments, which includes MIMG.
Students wishing to join MIMG should apply directly to the IBS program. The IBS program requires that prospective students have a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution, with appropriate course work in biology, chemistry, physics and math. GRE scores are not required. Students are encouraged to contact the IBS Director of Graduate Studies for questions regarding the program, including their qualifications for admittance to IBS. On rare occassions, a student may be admitted directly to the Microbiology and Immunology PhD program. To determine whether this is an option, the student must contact the MIMG Director of Graduate Studies.
Students in the IBS program complete course work that provides a foundation for doctoral studies in any of the COM basic science departments. In addition to course work, IBS students do research rotations with faculty in participating departments. Students completing the IBS year with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a minimum grade of B in all IBS course work are welcome to join MIMG.
Program Website: https://medicine.uky.edu/departments/microbiology/graduate-studies
Return to: