Our department is committed to the career development of our young scientists. To this end, we have developed an Individual Development Plan guide for our graduate students. This document is designed based on recommendations from FASEB and AAAS, will serve as an aid for annual IDP discussions, and is an important step in career development.

The Department supports the University's statement on Students' Rights and Responsibilities.

Our graduate programs lead to the awarding of a Master's degree or Ph.D. degree (including combined M.D./Ph.D.). Students conduct research in a specific area of microbiology or immunology and are prepared for careers in a variety of settings. Degree requirements include successful completion of course work and submission and defense of a dissertation based on original research carried out under the supervision of a department faculty member.

Core Program Competencies

Upon graduation, a student with a Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology will be able to:

Demonstrate a broad knowledge of bacteriology, virology, immunology and infectious diseases and an in-depth understanding of a sub-discipline of these fields.

Analyze scientific information from various sources by comparing, integrating, evaluating and interpreting published findings.

Develop, design and conduct original research that solves important problems by:

• Using the knowledge and information of a scientific field to formulate a research proposal that addresses previously unidentified questions.
• Challenging existing scientific paradigms by critiquing existing literature and formulating novel testable hypotheses.
• Creating new scientific perspectives through designing, planning and conducting experiments and interpreting research findings.
• Developing a context for interpreting and understanding the significance of original research findings.
• Communicate scientific information in written and oral form to academic, professional and public audiences.
• Teach and mentor other learners the principles, experimental strategies and technical approaches to scientific investigation in a chosen research field.
• Analyze the risks of conducting research and how to mitigate and manage those risks.
• Function collaboratively, responsibly and ethically within complex organizations that include diverse communities and cultures as well as a range of scientific and nonscientific professions.

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Microbiology Graduate Program Admissions
University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mailstop 3029
Kansas City, KS 66160

Phone and Fax Numbers:
913-588-7099 (phone)
913-588-7295 (fax)

Questions:

• Dr. Indranil Biswas, Director of Graduate Studies, 913-588-7019, ibiswas@kumc.edu
• Dr. Jeff Bose, Associate Director of Graduate Studies, 913-588-7136, jbose@kumc.edu
• Kathy Mackay, Office Coordinator, 913-588-7099, micrograd@kumc.edu

Financial Aid

During the first year of study, predoctoral students are supported by a Teaching Assistantship. In subsequent years of study, students are supported by the continuation of Teaching Assistantships or by Graduate Research Assistantships. Students receiving assistantships are paid $38,500 per year and receive a tuition waiver. Dedicated funding for M.D./Ph.D. students provides financial support during the medical and graduate phases of the study. Please inquire about financial assistance for students pursuing a Master's degree in the department.

ADA Compliance

Students who believe they may need accommodations are encouraged to contact Academic Accommodations Services at 913-945-7035 or ada-kumc@kumc.edu as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations can be implemented in a timely fashion. Online appointments may also be made at https://medconsult.kumc.edu/. For more information visit academic accommodations.