:: Microbiology Graduate Program ::
The Department of Microbiology at UMass Amherst offers programs of graduate
study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in microbiology.
The general requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in microbiology are
those of the Graduate School.
By the end of the first semester, if not before, the student should select
a research area. For those students pursuing a Ph.D. degree, a comprehensive
examination is administered between the third and fourth semesters of
graduate study. It consists of both written and oral parts and is designed
to evaluate the extent to which students have acquired a working knowledge
of the principles of microbiology.
The department also offers a special Fifth-Year Master's Program designed exclusively for its undergraduate microbiology majors.
All graduate students are required to take the Departmental Seminar (also known as the "Graduate Seminar") as part of their courseload.
The graduate program in microbiology offers broad training which provides
our graduates with the flexibility and depth necessary to compete effectively
for research positions in universities, industry and government. The following
research fields are represented in the department: physiology, genetics, bioinformatics, virology,
immunology, parasitology, pathogenic
bacteriology, molecular biology, and microbial ecology with
special opportunities in environmental microbiology. 
The Graduate School Bulletin lists courses covering various areas in the field of microbiology that are offered by the departmental faculty. It would also be useful to consult the Graduate School Bulletin's Guidelines for Master's/Doctoral Candidates.
Faculty in the department also participate in a number of other graduate programs at the university. Information on these programs can be found on the UMass Biological Sciences home page.
How to Apply
Application forms (paper and online) may by obtained from the Graduate School. Prospective students are required to take the GRE. Applications for admission must be received by the Graduate School by December 1 for September enrollment, or by October 1 for January enrollment. Applications must be sent directly to the Graduate School, not to the Department of Microbiology, and must be accompanied by payment for the application fee. The application will not be processed or forwarded to us until the payment has been received by the Graduate School. Late applications are considered only if space is available. Commonly asked questions on the application process. Commonly asked questions about the application process.
Financial Aid Information
Financial aid is available in the form of University fellowships and teaching assistantships. Research assistantships are available for advanced graduate students. All awards include a waiver of tuition.
Current Graduate Students
Our graduate enrollment is usually between 25 and 30 students.
Most of our Ph.D. graduates during the past ten years have been awarded postdoctoral fellowships at leading academic institutions. A high proportion of the earlier graduates are either faculty members in highly rated university departments or hold senior research management positions in industry. In recent years, our Ph.D. graduates have had multiple offers of postdoctoral fellowships prior to or shortly after graduation. ASM meetings provide excellent opportunities for our graduates to secure postdoctoral positions or jobs in industry. Graduate students participating in national conferences as first author or first presenter are awarded departmental travel funds to the meetings.
For More Information
Contact:
Dr.
Klaus Nüsslein, Graduate Program Director
Department of Microbiology
University of Massachusetts Amherst
639 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003-9298
413 545 1356
Email: microbio-dept@microbio.umass.edu
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