Program Overview

The Microbiology Graduate Program stresses solving fundamental problems of biology through molecular, biochemical, and immunological approaches.

The program encompasses the study of cell and molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and biochemistry of microorganisms and cells of higher organisms. Research opportunities span a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: understanding microorganisms and their interactions with their hosts in order to solve health problems associated with microorganisms; and using the ease of manipulation for some microorganisms to understand important, fundamental biological problems common to most organisms.

The flexible program of study is designed to provide excellent training and research opportunities individually tailored to each student's needs.

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Program Outline

The key components of the graduate program are:

1. First Year Lab Rotations: Students conduct rotations with different labs during the first academic semester. These rotations provide opportunity to explore different research interests prior to the selection of a Ph.D. supervisor at the end of the first semester of study.

2. Courses. All students are required to take four 3-credit courses during the first year and an additional six credit hours (2 electives) of relevant graduate level coursework inside the Microbiology Graduate Program.

3. Weekly Seminar Series. A weekly seminar series gives students the opportunity to participate in discussions with faculty and peers about various topics and research problems. Students should regularly attend these free, extracurricular seminars.

4. Teaching: Students are required to hold a Teaching Assistant (TA) appointment for one-long semester during their studies. Students may not hold a TA position during the first academic year and typically complete this requirement in their second through fourth years of study. A TA Training Workshop is offered annually and must be completed prior to the first TA-ship.

5. Qualifying Exam: To be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree, all students must complete a preliminary examination during their spring of their second year. The exam consists of the presentation and defense of a NIH-style grant proposal based off of the student's research. A Grant Writing and Presentation Skills course is required in the fall of the second year to help the student prepare for the qualifying exam.

6. Annual retreat. The Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology hosts an annual retreat. This multi-day event is an exciting opportunity for faculty, post-docs, and graduate students to meet and discuss science in an informal setting. Attendance for first-year students is typically sponsored by the program.

7. Conduct independent, original research under the direction of a faculty member; the results of this research constitute the dissertation.

Program Requirements and Timeline

Prospective students are encouraged to review the Program Requirements and Timeline and Microbiology Graduate Student Handbook for detailed information about the doctoral degree program. A well-qualified student can usually complete the doctoral degree program in five to six years.

Financial Support

During the first semester in the Microbiology Graduate Program, students are fully supported through Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) with the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (ILS) Graduate Programs. This provides a stipend at the annual rate of $40,000/year, full tuition and fees, and access to university health insurance. Beginning in the Spring after the first academic semester students must select a faculty advisor and are responsible for joining a permanent lab to ensure continued funding. Financial support is then coordinated with the permanent laboratory and may take the form of research assistantships, teaching appointments, or university fellowships.

Continuing students are also eligible for competitive external fellowships that are awarded on the basis of teaching performance or academic excellence.

Funding for travel to professional conferences and professional development is also available.

Please visit the Fellowships & Financial Support page for additional details.

Commitment to Belonging

The Microbiology (MIC) Graduate Program is committed to providing educational opportunities to students from all backgrounds.

Resources that Support a Safe and Welcoming Campus

The BCH Graduate Program, the University of Texas at Austin and the College of Natural Sciences want all graduate students to benefit from supportive, safe classroom and research experiences. The following resources are available to support this goal:

Contact

If you have questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page or contact our professional staff at ilsgrad@austin.utexas.edu.

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