Master of Science in Microbiology - Host-Microbe Interactions

We live in a world teeming with microbes. One of the most influential areas of modern biomedical science is elucidating the ramifications and complexity of host-microbe interactions that affect animal and plant health, and dramatically influence micro- and macro-ecosystems. Fueled by technological advances, we are entering a new era of interdisciplinary approaches that enable investigators to delve deeply into the reciprocal influence of host and microbes. Training new scientists in this area will fill an unmet potential for UC Davis graduate education. The DE-HMI will synergize the campus' scholarly power to train scientific leaders that will drive new technological transformation both in the academic and private sector arenas. In addition, training students to work within an arena of interdisciplinary investigation will enable them to tackle pressing and difficult problems that they will encounter throughout their scientific careers. The DE-HMI will train students with various backgrounds to engage in science that requires a multidisciplinary approach. No graduate program at UC Davis provides the necessary educational background to enable students to rigorously investigate the complex mechanisms that underlie host-microbe interaction. The DE-HMI fills that need.

Admission requires an undergraduate degree (B.S. or B.A.) in a biological science, which should include coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Upper division courses in biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, microbial physiology, genetics or immunology are also encouraged. Applicants for admission to MGG are required to meet the University of California minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 (or equivalent) from the institution where you have earned or will earn your bachelor's degree.
Academic records for every college-level institution you have attended or are currently attending (including community college, transfer coursework, study abroad, summer session, etc.). You may upload your transcripts in the Academic History section of the application *or* after submitting your application using your Application Status Page.
Three letters of recommendation - Instructions are provided with the online application. All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically by the referee
In the prerequisite section of the application, please list all biology, biochemistry, and microbiology related coursework along with the received grade. Examples of course that should be listed include: biology, genetics, immunology, ecology, microbiology, bacteriology, virology, related laboratory courses, etc).
CV - Your CV/resume should help the committee better understand your specific experiences in microbiology beyond what you shared in your statement of purpose or personal history.
Applicants who have not studied at an institution where English was the sole language of instruction must obtain the minimum overall TOEFL score required for admission to graduate study at UC Davis, 80 on the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT). As an alternative to the TOEFL, students may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For IELTS, the minimum overall band score required for admission to graduate study at UC Davis is 7.0 on a 9-point scale. Please note these scores are the minimum necessary for submitting an application, admitted students often have a higher score.