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Home » Program
ProgramDegree ProgramThe Graduate Group in Microbiology offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in microbiology. This Ph.D. program combines academic and experimental training in modern molecular approaches to microbiological problems. Time for completion of the program varies depending upon the student, but is typically 5 1/2 years. The goal of the Ph.D. program is for the graduate student to present a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the body of microbiological knowledge. In the process, the group strives to give the student the opportunity to develop the skills and fundamental knowledge to become an independent investigator in academia, industry, health care or government. The Graduate Group in Microbiology admits students only for the PhD, although occasional students who elect not to complete it may choose instead to satisfy the requirements for the MS degree. For detailed information about our degree program click on the links to the left. Home » Program Overview
Program OverviewFirst YearCore Courses Second YearGraduate Elective Courses and Participatory Seminars Third YearGraduate Elective Courses and Participatory Seminars Fourth YearContinue thesis research Fifth YearConclude thesis research Home » Core Courses
Core CoursesCore courses are taken during the first year of the graduate program. The faculty of the Microbiology Graduate Group believes there is a common body of fundamental knowledge in the discipline of microbiology that all students should master prior to obtaining a graduate degree. A competent, independent investigator must be familiar with the microbiology literature, recognize meaningful questions, and have the ability to communicate, both in written text and orally, the results and conclusions of those experiments. We have designed a graduate curriculum with the express purpose of assisting the student in meeting these goals. The core courses are team taught by faculty members of the group on a rotational basis. The formal lectures are accompanied by seminar-discussions during which students analyze critically classic and current research reports appropriate to the lecture topic. In addition, students are encouraged to attend and participate in the weekly Work-In-Progress Seminars (MIC 291, 1 unit, taken each quarter). These are seminars in which graduate students and postdoctoral fellows have an opportunity to present their research. Finally, throughout the Ph.D. program, students are encouraged to attend weekly seminars given by outstanding scientists from throughout the country, sponsored by the Section of Microbiology, the Division of Biological Sciences and other departments affiliated with the group. The core courses are taken during the first year of the program, as follows: FallMIC 200A - (3 units) Microbial phylogeny, structure, and metabolic diversity WinterMMI 200D - (3 units) Mechanisms for microbial interactions with hosts SpringMCB 221C - (4 units) Molecular Biology Home » Graduate Electives and Seminars
Graduate Electives and SeminarsGraduate Elective Courses Students in the second and subsequent years are expected to take at least 3 units of graded graduate courses. As a consequence of the intellectual and research interests of the faculty of the group, there are two distinct academic lines for students to follow: (1) microbial physiology and genetics / applied and environmental microbiology; and (2) microbial pathogenesis, immunology and virology. Graduate Electives and Seminars At least 4 participatory seminars are also required. These are journal clubs and small-group seminars designed to engage students in an understanding of current literature related to and outside the thesis research field.
POTENTIAL GRADUATE ELECTIVE COURSES FOR MGG STUDENTSMicrobial pathogenesis and host response
Microbial physiology and genetics/applied and environmental microbiology
Advanced biochemistry, cell biology
Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics
POTENTIAL PARTICIPATORY SEMINARS FOR MGG STUDENTSParticipatory = students must participate by making a presentation during the quarter. Focus is on critical analysis of the scientific literature. May be a journal club, but must have a course designation and the student must present during the quarter. Offerings vary by quarter and year. Watch for posted notices and for e-mail notices each quarter. Check current class schedule and room directory on the registrar's web site. Microbial pathogenesis and host response
Microbial physiology and genetics/applied and environmental microbiology
Home » Laboratory Rotations
Laboratory RotationsStudents complete four five-week rotations in laboratories of faculty in the Microbiology Graduate Group. The primary goal of these rotations is to give the students an opportunity to get to know faculty within the graduate group. This will provide the foundation for students to select a major professor, thesis committee and thesis research laboratory. At the end of each rotation, students are required to give a short talk and written report on the rotation project as part of the laboratory rotation course (MIC 201L). This course provides beginning students with a format for feedback from faculty and fellow students on their written and oral communication skills. Home » Major Professor Selection
Major Professor SelectionJust prior to the end of the winter quarter of the first year, students select the faculty member with whom they will conduct their thesis research. This selection is made by joint decision of the student and faculty member, and is based upon the experience of the laboratory rotation. Home » Qualifying Examination
Qualifying ExaminationThe Qualifying Examination for advancement to candidacy in the Ph.D. degree program consists of a research oral examination taken during the later part of the second or early part of the third year of residency. In this examination, the student defends two research proposals to a five-member faculty committee. One of the research proposals addresses the problem chosen as the student's dissertation topic and the second proposal is on a topic unrelated to the dissertation. The student chooses two members of the examination committee. These two members, together with the research mentor, constitute the student's Doctoral Thesis Committee and function in a continuing advisory role for the student. Home » Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology
Designated Emphasis in BiotechnologyPh.D. graduate students in Microbiology can also seek a Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology. The UCD Biotechnology Program sponsors an inter-graduate group program that allows Ph.D. students to receive and be credited for training in the area of biotechnology. For further information, click here. |
Helicobacter felis, which infects the stomach of dogs, cats, and large felines
Program
- Program Overview
- Core Courses
- Electives and Seminars
- Laboratory Rotations
- Major Professor Selection
- Qualifying Exam
- Designated Emphasis on Biotechnology
Contact us
Margaret Brice Administrative Assistant mrbrice@ucdavis.edu (530) 752-0262
Glenn Young, PhD
Chair
gmyoung@ucdavis.edu
(530) 754-5292
ProgramDegree ProgramThe Graduate Group in Microbiology offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in microbiology. This Ph.D. program combines academic and experimental training in modern molecular approaches to microbiological problems. Time for completion of the program varies depending upon the student, but is typically 5 1/2 years. The goal of the Ph.D. program is for the graduate student to present a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the body of microbiological knowledge. In the process, the group strives to give the student the opportunity to develop the skills and fundamental knowledge to become an independent investigator in academia, industry, health care or government. The Graduate Group in Microbiology admits students only for the PhD, although occasional students who elect not to complete it may choose instead to satisfy the requirements for the MS degree. For detailed information about our degree program click on the links to the left. |