Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology

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Why Choose the Microbiology and Immunology Program?

Wright State’s Microbiology and Immunology program will prepare you for a career in the health professions, biomedical research, or clinical laboratory work.  With the upheaval caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), demand for those with expertise in microbiology and immunology is greater than ever.

You will learn about the human body, how it interfaces with its immune system to battle foreign organisms, and about how cell signaling events govern lymphocyte and macrophage function. Pursue a specialty in areas like immunology, virology, immunotoxicology, DNA and conventional vaccine development, human microbiota, or molecular genetics. Whatever specialty you choose, you can be confident your M.S. from Wright State will open the doors for incredible career opportunities across the globe.

Areas of Specialization

  • DNA and conventional vaccine development
  • Environmental microbiology
  • Host immunology/parasite relationships
  • Human-associated microbiota
  • Human neutrophils
  • Immune cell physiology
  • Immunology
    • Immunotoxicology
    • Inflammation
    • Microbial ecology
    • Microbial physiology
    • Molecular genetics
    • Smooth muscle cell biology and cytokines
    • Virology

    Academics and Curriculum

    View Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.

    You can select additional graduate level courses from the departments of Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Pharmacology/Toxicology, Mathematics and Computer Science.

    Admission

    You are strongly encouraged to enter the program in the Fall Semester, although admission is permitted at other times in exceptional circumstances.

    Admission Requirements

    • You should have taken a distribution of undergraduate courses in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics that would support your anticipated graduate study. An undergraduate course in microbiology or a related topic is a prerequisite for required courses.
    • You are required to submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your ability handle graduate-level course work and research. Recommendations should reflect professors' knowledge of your undergraduate performance in the sciences and/or from your work. The recommendations should describe your competence in understanding and performing work in a science-related area and reflect your ability to accomplish the graduate level work in microbiology/and immunology.
    • A personal statement summarizing your interests in microbiology and immunology is required.
    • A minimum college GPA of 3.0 is strongly preferred.

    International Students

    The Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology degree program is one of Wright State’s most popular among international students. The versatility this degree offers makes navigating the admissions process well worth the effort.

    To start, review the International Admissions Graduate Admission Requirements page. International students entering the M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology program whose undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 must submit (IELT, TEFL, GRE) scores. Applicants with GPAs of 3.0 and above are still encouraged to provide (IELT, TEFL, GRE) scores to assist in admission decisions. Non-English-speaking international students must pass an oral proficiency test before starting the research or teaching portion of their program.

    How to Apply

    Admission and registration forms and procedures are available through the Graduate School.

    Wright State’s University Center for International Education (UCIE) is a terrific resource for both prospective and newly admitted international students. For general information about admissions, visas, and other necessary steps for international students, go to the UCIE website.

    Facilities

    This program has excellent ancillary facilities on campus, which include

    • Specialized cell and tissue culture facilities
    • Constant temperature rooms and coldrooms
    • Animal care facilities
    • Darkroom capabilities

    Equipment includes

    • Fluorescent microscope
    • Flow cytometry
    • Electrophoresis
    • PCR thermocoupler
    • Digital PCR machine
    • Laminar flow safety cabinets
    • Mass spectrometer

    Financial Assistance

    Partial tuition scholarships (up to 50 percent) are available to top applicants.

    For more information, contact:

    Dawn P. Wooley, Ph.D., Director
    Microbiology and Immunology M.S. Program
    016A Mathematical & Microbiology Sciences
    Wright State University
    3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
    Dayton, OH 45435-0001
    937-775-4993
    Fax: (937) 775-3391
    email: dawn.wooley@wright.edu