Microbiology, PhD

Program Description

The Department of Biological Sciences administers the MS and PhD degree programs in Microbiology. The Microbiology graduate programs include 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 more information, please visit https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/academics/grad-overview.html.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The Microbiology PhD requires 30 credits beyond the MS degree, or a total of 60 credits after the undergraduate degree, with a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research and at least 12 hours of coursework. In addition to coursework, the student must perform original research, prepare and present a written research proposal, pass a comprehensive exam, publish at least one manuscript and defend their dissertation.

Coursework

Required coursework includes:

• Six credits of BIOL 8120 - Seminar  
• Three credits of MICR 8000 - Concepts in Microbiology I    
• Three credits of MICR 8010 - Concepts in Microbiology II  
• Six credits of MICR 8070 - Current Topics in Microbiology  
• 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