Introduction to Graduate Study

The Microbiology and Immunology discipline offers advanced degree programs leading to the MS, MD/PhD or DPM/PhD, PharmD/PhD, and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. These programs prepare candidates for careers in research and teaching in the field of modern Microbiology and Immunology.

All inquiries regarding graduate studies should be directed to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Studies (IGPBS) by phone: 847-578-8493 or email: IGPBS@rosalindfranklin.edu.

Inquiries regarding an IGPBS application status should be directed to the Office of Admissions by phone: 847-578-3204 or email: SGPS.admissions@rosalindfranklin.edu.

Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Science

Career Potential

Microbiologists and immunologists can find productive careers in academic settings, hospitals, environmental agencies and public health service centers, and in pharmaceutical and biomedical research institutes and industries. Postdoctoral training is considered helpful and often necessary for securing academic positions. All recipients of doctoral degrees in microbiology and immunology from the University to date, have found successful employment within their field, most of them in academic and biotech institutions. The discipline maintains information on postdoctoral openings and will assist graduates in securing positions.

Graduate Training

The aim of the graduate training program is to develop competent researchers and teachers in all fields of medical microbiology and immunology. Emphasis is placed on helping the student to explore creative potential and to develop essential research skills and teaching competence that will enable him/her to secure a faculty appointment in a medical or related health professions' school, or a position as a research scientist in a biomedical research institute or in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. The discipline offers formal courses covering both basic and clinical microbiology and immunology and specializes in advanced teaching of molecular virology and pathogenesis, mechanisms of cancer development, molecular and clinical immunology, and molecular and cellular parasitology. Students are encouraged, with assistance of faculty advisors, to develop a specific program of course work, independent reading, and dissertation research that in the breadth and depth of its coverage is fitting to their individual backgrounds, interests and career goals. Modern research laboratories and equipment are available to all graduate students within the discipline.