Microbiology, MS

Program Description

The Department of Biological Sciences administers the MS and PhD degree programs in Microbiology. The Microbiology graduate programs includes a wide variety of disciplines with three major emphasis areas: Cellular and Physiological Microbiology, Microbial Genetics and Molecular Microbiology, and Environmental Microbiology.

Applicants to the graduate degree programs in Microbiology must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and a background of training in biology, microbiology, chemistry, or related field. Undergraduate work in microbiology is desirable but not necessary. All students are expected to have completed organic chemistry, physics, calculus, general biology and genetics.

For additional information, please visit https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/academics/grad-overview.html.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The Microbiology MS requires 30 credits after the undergraduate degree, with six hours of thesis research and 24 hours of coursework, half of which must be at the 8000 level. In addition to coursework, the student must perform original research, prepare and present a written research proposal and defend their thesis.

Coursework

Required coursework includes:

• Four credits of BIOL 8070 - Readings in Biology  
• Four credits of BIOL 8120 - Seminar  
• Three credits of MICR 8000 - Concepts in Microbiology I  
• Three credits of MICR 8010 - Concepts in Microbiology II  
• an additional three credits in one of the following areas: Genetics, Physiology and Metabolism; Pathogenic Microbiology; Environmental and Ecological Microbiology; Technology; and Bioinformatics, Genomics and Statistics

Highly recommended coursework includes:

• BIOL 8140 - Scientific Writing for Biology  
• BIOL 8150 - Professional Development in the Life Sciences