Pathogens, host defense and immune diseases

Microbiology and Immunology are well-established disciplines within the life sciences. Microbiology addresses the biology of bacteria, viruses, and unicellular eukaryotes such as fungi and protozoa. Studies of microorganisms reveal basic information about processes in evolution, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, structural biology, and ecology. Many bacteria, viruses, and protozoa cause disease in plants and animals. Hence, major areas of medicine and public health that address infectious disease focus on these microorganisms.

Immunology encompasses efforts to understand how multicellular organisms have evolved to survive a variety of challenges to health and survival, including threats by pathogens and cancer cells. Basic questions of how immunity functions are entwined with a fundamental understanding of the consequences of microbial infection. Immunology also refers to the study of autoimmunity, the attack of the host by its own immune system.

The study of viruses (Virology) is an important branch of Microbiology that has contributed to our understanding of most of the fundamental processes in eukaryotic molecular biology, including the discovery of oncogenes. Viruses provide an excellent tool for the study of disease, cancer and mechanisms of gene control. With growing threat of emerging diseases and the potential for viral-based biological weapons, the study of virology was recently intensified and gained new perspectives.

Who Will Benefit From this Major?

The major has been designed to span the interconnected disciplines of Microbiology and Immunology, and because the scope of the disciplines is considerable, students have the opportunity to specialize within the major in one of three areas: microbiology, immunology, or virology. The curricula overlap considerably, but there are unique courses for each specialty. Students opting for the microbiology specialization can select from courses focused on prokaryotes (bacteria) or eukaryotes (parasites).

The major is designed primarily for students who are serious about pursuing careers in Microbiology and Immunology and is intended to provide its graduates with the appropriate tools and training to successfully pursue professional and graduate degrees emphasizing these disciplines. These include Ph.D., M.D., and combined M.D./Ph.D. programs. Majoring in Microbiology and Immunology will also provide resources for serious students wishing to use a solid background in these disciplines for career goals in business, law, public and environmental policy, education and other pursuits.