Program: Microbiology and Immunology MS - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Graduate training in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, provides education and research opportunities in each of our four core disciplines: bacterial pathogenesis, eukaryotic pathogenesis (parasitology and mycology), virology, and immunology. Research in these disciplines utilizes the latest tools in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and biophysics, to probe the interactions of microbes with their human hosts with the ultimate goal of reducing the public health impact of infectious diseases. Our broad curriculum and focused research training prepares students to succeed in nearly any area of microbiology and immunology.

Required Core (10 credits)

MIC 619SEM - Communicating Microbiology and Immunology Credits: 2
BCH 503LEC - Biochemical Principles Credits: 4
MIC 501LEC - Microbial Biology and Biotechnology Credits: 4

Microbiology Core (4 credits)

Select 2 from:

MIC 512LEC - Graduate Immunology Credits: 2
MIC 513LEC - Eukaryotic Pathogens Credits: 2
MIC 515LEC - Virology Credits: 2
MIC 516LEC - Bacteriology Credits: 2

Electives & Culminating Experience (16 credits)

Electives (8-14 credits)

Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 30 minimum total credit hours.

BCH 507LEC - Protein Structure/Function Credits: 2 - 3
BCH 508SEM - Gene Expression Credits: 2
BCH 512SEM - Developmental Genomics and Stem Cell Biology Credits: 3
BCH 519LEC - Bioinformatics & Comp Bio Credits: 3
BE 570LEC - Current Topics in Medical Nanotechnology Credits: 3
BIO 556LEC - Evolutionary Genetics Credits: 3
BMI 503SEM - Biomedical Informatics Credits: 3
BMS 501LEC - Cell Biology I Credits: 4
BMS 502LEC - Essentials of Genetics and Genomics Credits: 3
BMS 514LEC - Introduction to Scientific Investigation and Responsible Conduct Credits: 2
EEH 501LEC - Principles of Epidemiology Credits: 4
EEH 521LEC - Global Health Credits: 3
EEH 570LEC - Cancer Epidemiology Credits: 3
LAI 505SEM - Scientific Writing Credits: 3
MGO 634LEC - Project Management Credits: 3
MIC 502LEC - Medical Microbiology Credits: 4
MIC 506LEC - Composition and Function of the Human Microbiome Credits: 2
MIC 512LEC - Graduate Immunology Credits: 2
MIC 513LEC - Eukaryotic Pathogens Credits: 2
MIC 515LEC - Virology Credits: 2
MIC 516LEC - Bacteriology Credits: 2
MIC 596LAB - Introduction to MS Research Credits: 1 - 5 *
MIC 599TUT - Supervised Teaching Credits: 1 - 3
MIC 601SEM - Eukaryotic RNA Biology Credits: 2
MIC 603SEM - Viruses and Cancer Credits: 2
MIC 606SEM - Advanced Topics in Modern Microscopy Credits: 1
MIC 607SEM - Dna Replication & Repair Credits: 2
MIC 608SEM - Advanced Eukaryotic Pathogens Credits: 2
MIC 609SEM - Current Topics Immunology Credits: 2
MIC 611LEC - Advanced Microbial Genetics Credits: 2
MIC 613SEM - Advanced Virology Credits: 2
MIC 616SEM - Advanced Topics in Fungal Pathogenesis Credits: 2
MIC 617TUT - Spec Instruc Microbiology Credits: 1 - 6
MIC 620SEM - Micro and Immunol Seminar Credits: 1 - 2
MIC 623SEM - Global Health Infectious Diseases Credits: 2
MIC 624SEM - Mod Top Bacter Pathogen Credits: 2
MIC 626SEM - Inflammation and Cancer Credits: 2
MIC 627SEM - Molecular Parasitology Credits: 2
MIC 687SEM - Special Topics Credits: 2
Other electives as approved by the Program Director

Culminating Experience: Exam, Project or Thesis (0-6 credits)

* One semester of MIC 596 is prerequisite for selection of MIC 597 (Project) or MIC 598 (Thesis).

MIC 597TUT - MS Guided Project Credits: 1 - 6

Total Credit Hours: 30

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Students will develop foundational knowledge and general understanding of basic concepts in biochemistry and cell/molecular biology and apply this knowledge to microbiology and immunology
2) Students will acquire, retain, synthesize, and apply new knowledge, concepts, and research methodology in microbiology and/or immunology.
3) Students will develop competency to critically read, evaluate, and summarize findings from primary literature in fields of microbiology and immunology.
4) Prepare students for advanced careers in microbiology and immunology.

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).