Future Students
Undergraduate Programs
The Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology Department is a friendly, inclusive, hardworking community. With over 60 faculty members and approximately 400 undergraduate students, the goal of our undergraduate programs is to provide students with a broad foundation in science and a particular emphasis in microbiology. The field of microbiology includes the study of bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi, and protozoa.
The department offers three undergraduate majors:
BS in Microbiology
BS in Genomics & Genetics
BS in Environmental Biology/Microbiology
An education in this field opens the door for a wide variety career options including: graduate school, medical school, laboratory research, industry,
and public health.
Meet some of our undergraduate students
Meet some of our faculty members and graduate students
Graduate Programs
The goal of the Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology graduate program is to provide basic education in various core disciplines of modern biology and intensive training in specialty areas relative to a student's research interests. This is achieved through a program of formal coursework, seminars, and, most importantly, original and creative research. In addition, students are given the opportunity to master written and oral preparation skills relevant to their future careers. Following completion of the doctoral degree, most graduates initially enter postdoctoral research programs, followed by careers in academia, industry, research labs, and other research-related venues.
Our graduate program centers on the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The department also offers joint Ph.D.-professional school programs for students wishing to combine medical and basic research interests.
- Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology - Ph.D.
- Joint Professional Degree Programs - M.D./Ph.D., D.O./Ph.D., & CVM/Ph.D.
- Dual Major Ph.D. Graduate Programs
- Five-Year Dual Degree BS/MS Program in MGI (only open to current MSU Undergraduates)
Graduate education is coordinated by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). The DGS provides guidance in initial enrollment, choice of laboratory rotations and counsels students about their education and future careers. Once students select a faculty mentor ("major professor"), they will be guided by that professor, the DGS, and a committee composed of three to five additional faculty.
How to Apply
Meet some of our faculty members and students
The department's research is broken into four areas:
- Microbial Ecology & Evolution
- Microbial Biology, Symbiosis & Pathogenicity
- Virology, Immunology & Cell Biology
- Genomics & Genetics
You can also visit faculty members' lab websites here.
For additional information, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.