Microbiology and Immunology (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The primary goal of the Ph.D. program is to create a self-propelled researcher, proficient in experimental designs and advanced methodologies applicable to the varied and rapidly changing disciplines in microbiology and immunology. Close research supervision and bi-weekly laboratory sessions impart the requisite research discipline and objective assessment of acquired or published research data.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIMM 611 | Graduate Seminars 1. | 3 |
Graduate Seminars 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presentation of a research proposal seminar, which is not held publically but presented and evaluated in the context of the first Advisory Committee meeting. Presentation of the relevant background of the research project, the hypothesis to be tested, the objectives of the research project and summary of the experimental approach that will be used. | ||
| MIMM 612 | Graduate Seminars 2. | 3 |
Graduate Seminars 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presentation of a scientific seminar, which includes a summary of the relevant background of the research project, the hypothesis being tested, the student’s experimental work to date and the future objectives. | ||
| MIMM 701 | Comprehensive Examination-Ph.D. Candidate. | 0 |
Comprehensive Examination-Ph.D. Candidate. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. The comprehensive examination includes submission of a written research proposal, an oral presentation of the research accomplishments to date and an oral testing on the understanding of the research area and of relevant areas related to the research project. Students are expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their research area and a good understanding of relevant areas related to their project. | ||
| MIMM 713 | Graduate Seminars 3. | 3 |
Graduate Seminars 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Presentation of a maximum of three seminars topics throughout the course of their degree program. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIMM 616 | Reading and Conference 1. | 3 |
Reading and Conference 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term. | ||
| MIMM 617 | Reading and Conference 2. | 3 |
Reading and Conference 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term. | ||
| MIMM 619 | Reading and Conference 4. | 3 |
Reading and Conference 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term. | ||
OR
Any life sciences-related courses at the 500 level or higher. Departmental approval is required.