The master of science (M.S.) degree requires a minimum of 24 course credits, 6
research credits, a thesis, and a comprehensive oral examination with defense
of the thesis (Plan A). Alternatively, an M.S. student may complete 30
course credits, an expository essay, and a comprehensive oral examination (Plan B).
Required courses:
16:682:501
Microbial Life (3)
16:682:502 Microbial Biochemistry (3)
16:682:503 Microbial Physiology (3)
16:682:504
Microbial Genetics and Molecular Biology
(3)
16:682:521,522
Seminar in Microbial Biology (1,1)
16:682:530 Scientific Conduct and Ethics (1)
16:682:701,702 Research in Microbial Biology (6)
Elective courses (a minimum of 9 credits from the following list of courses, or
any other appropriate course by program director approval):
16:215:550 Advanced Evolution (1)
16:215:554 Molecular Ecology (3)
16:215:575 Quantitative Ecology and Evolution (3)
16:215:599 Fundamentals of Genomics (3)
16:375:510 Environmental Microbiology (3)
16:375:529 Biodegradation and Bioremediation (3)
16:375:531 Biological Waste Treatment (3)
16:375:563 Geomicrobiology (3)
16:400:535 Beneficial Microbes in Food and Health (3)
16:400:605 Microbial Food Safety (3)
16:681:555 Molecular Virology (3)
16:681:606 Teaching of Microbiology (2)
16:681:608 Teaching Techniques (2)
16:682:524
Applied and Industrial Microbiology (3)
16:682:550,
551, 552, 553 Special Topics in Microbiology (1-3) (Topics courses are
offered each semester by graduate faculty members on a rotating basis.)
16:682:572 Microbial Ecology and Biodiversity (2)
16:712:525 Molecular Oceanography (3)
16:712:561 Professional Science Writing and Presentation (3)
16:765:518 Topics in Plant Microbe Interactions (2)
16:765:531 Principles of Plant Pathology (3)
16:765:533 Advanced Mycology (3)
16:765:537 Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (3)
16:765:538 Plant Pathogenesis (3)
16:765:685 Bioinformatics (3)
16:960:501 Statistical Theory for Research Workers I (3)
Programs, Faculty, and Courses 
