Microbiology, PhD

Alistair Ramsay, PhD
Professor and Head
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology

The program is designed to provide graduate training through coursework, seminars, and laboratory research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Microbiology. For the Ph.D. degree, it will be expected that a period of at least four years will be devoted to full time study, including dissertation research and defense. During the first two years, students complete course work that includes Fundamentals of Immunology, Medical Bacteriology, Molecular Biology of Eukaryotic Pathogens, General and Molecular Virology, as well as the Interdisciplinary courses of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Molecular Genetic Mechanisms. During the first year, students participate in research rotations through laboratories of their choice to aid in the selection of a mentor and research project for their dissertation. The area of thesis or dissertation research is chosen by the student in consultation with the faculty by the end of the first year. The faculty has major areas of expertise in Immunology, bacterial pathogenesis, molecular mycology, parasitology and virology.

Application is made through the School of Graduate Studies and is referred to the Department. Departmental faculty will evaluate all candidates before final acceptance by the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants should have taken courses in general and organic chemistry with laboratory, college algebra and trigonometry, a general biology course (e.g. zoology, botany, comparative anatomy) and one course in general microbiology. Research experience as well as microbiological subspecialty courses (e.g. bacteriology, microbiology, genetics, immunology, virology) are highly desirable. Additional inquiries regarding admission or course details should be forwarded to the following e-mail address: microgradprogram@lsuhsc.edu.

The Program for obtaining the PhD can be tailored to the requirements of each individual student. The minimum requirements are as follows.