Overview

The Graduate Program in Microbiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz is a Ph.D. program that prepares students to contribute to an understanding of microbial species, including archaea, bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa, and viruses, and their positive and negative roles in the health of humans. Despite progress and breakthroughs in public health, vaccination, therapeutics, and antibiotics, there are many ongoing and emerging challenges in the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. As we continue to learn about the complex populations of organisms that surround us and colonize us, rigorous training of future young investigators in microbiology will continue to be essential to human health. The principle aim of the Graduate Program in Microbiology is to help produce the next generation of microbiologists to address unsolved and arising questions in basic and translational microbiology research.

The Graduate Program in Microbiology provides advanced training and education for students with the desire and ability to thrive in a stimulating, research-oriented graduate program leading to careers in science in the academic, governmental, or private sectors. Close individual attention is given by the faculty to the needs and training of each graduate student. The Microbiology Program faculty includes members of the Departments of Immunology and Microbiology, Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Faculty research interests include molecular mechanisms of bacterial and viral pathogenesis, the molecular biology of microbial gene expression, pathogen-host interactions, innate and adaptive immune responses to infection, mechanisms of immune evasion, the role of the microbiome in health and disease, structural biology, and development of novel therapeutics and vaccines.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Philosophy

The Graduate Program in Microbiology seeks students with the intellectual aptitude, independence, and motivation to pursue scientific research. Students are considered and selected on the basis of past academic performance, previous laboratory research experience, recommendations, and individual interviews. While previous experience in Microbiology coursework and research is helpful, the Graduate Program in Microbiology welcomes applicants with varied backgrounds. Students most likely to succeed have traditionally been those with intellectual achievement and creativity, first-hand understanding of laboratory research, and a strong personal desire and motivation to progress in their scientific training.

There are 3 ways to enter the Microbiology Program:

• Apply directly to the Microbiology Graduate Program.
• Apply to the Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Program and join the Microbiology Graduate Program after your 1st year.
• Those interested in pursuing an MD/PhD with research interests in Microbiology may apply to the Medical Scientist Training Program and complete their PhD portion through Microbiology. Note: the MSTP follows a separate application process with different deadlines. 

The Graduate Program in Microbiology also works closely with the Immunology Program and the Molecular Biology graduate programs, and several labs have joint appointments which can allow for a student to rotate and/or complete thesis work in a Microbiology lab.

Entrance Requirements

Undergraduate Studies | The Graduate Program in Microbiology requires a baccalaureate degree (BS or BA) with a 3.0 (out of 4.0) Grade Point Average (GPA), although exceptions can be considered. Admissions Committee reviews completed coursework to determine if each applicant has sufficient background to pursue our doctoral degree. Specific courses are not required, but coursework in the following subjects is recommended and can enhance an application: Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, and Physiology.

Research Experience | Research experience, particularly experimental, hypothesis-driven research experience, is highly recommended. This type of experience is extremely valuable in providing insight to both the Admissions Committee and the candidate as to their commitment to the rigors and rewards of scientific endeavor.

Letters of Recommendation | Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for an application to be considered complete, and thus be reviewed by the Microbiology Admissions Committee. These letters are important and are a critical element for the Admissions Committee’s evaluation of applications. Thus, when possible, applicants should select faculty research mentors that can discuss academic performance, research experience, and the likelihood of the applicant’s future success as a scientist.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS DECEMBER 1^st.

Applications will open September 1, and all application and supplemental materials are due no later than December 1. Applications received after December 1 may not be considered.

To apply for admission applicants must submit the following:

• Online Graduate School application
• A $50.00 domestic and $75.00 international non-refundable application fee.
• One (1) official transcript of all academic work completed to date. To be considered "official", the transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution.

Electronic Transcripts should be sent to graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu

OR

Mail a physical copy to:

University of Colorado Denver
Graduate School
Mail Stop C296
Fitzsimons Building, C5000
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045

• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Letters should be from individuals such as college professors or faculty mentors who are familiar with your academic and/or laboratory achievements. Such letters should be submitted electronically through the on-line application.
• GRE scores are no longer required for admission.
• International Applicants only: Students whose native language is not English or who have completed their studies at an institution where English was not the language of instruction, must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent. Visit International Admissions for more information.

Degree Requirements

First Year

Second Year

Learning Objectives

The PhD program in Microbiology trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the biomedical sciences.
• Understand current concepts in microbiology.
• Read and critically evaluate the scientific literature.
• Formulate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field and design, conduct, and interpret their own research projects.
• Present research results in peer-reviewed publications and in a dissertation.
• Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues.
• Write a competitive application for research funding.
• Develop ancillary skills, where necessary, to obtain positions outside of academic research.

Courses

Policies

Please refer to the Graduate School Policies page.

Program Calendar

August – Department of Immunology & Microbiology Scientific Conference & Retreat

October – Microbiology Program Student (only) Retreat

September/October – MPID Symposium

Weekly – Research in Progress (RIP) Seminar with the Immunology Program

Weekly – Infectious Disease Journal Club

Weekly – Department of Immunology & Microbiology Friday Speaker Series 

Twice per year – Student Invited Speaker Seminar and meetings

Spring Semester - ORE PhD Recruitment

Contact Us

Breck A. Duerkop, PhD
Associate Professor
Program Co-Director
Breck.Duerkop@cuanschutz.edu

Marijke Keestra-Gounder, PhD
Associate Professor
Program Co-Director
marijke.Keestra-Gounder@cuanschutz.edu

Sabrena Heilman
Program Administrator
Sabrena.Heilman@cuanschutz.edu
MICR@cuanschutz.edu

Microbiology Graduate Program
Mail Stop C290
13001 E. 17^th Place, Room 1327
Aurora, CO 80045