The Microbiology Program offers a wide variety of research opportunities with emphasis on the mechanisms of viral and bacterial pathogenesis, host defense mechanisms, microbial and molecular genetics, oncogenesis, growth factors and cytokines and regulation of gene expression. The faculty has 38 full-time and adjunct members located in the Department of Microbiology at the NYU Medical Center. Approximately 32 full-time doctoral students, i.e., Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. candidates, and 30 postdoctoral fellows conduct research in the Department with research technicians and other support staff. The research environment is enhanced by visiting scientists from the United States and abroad and an active summer research program for undergraduate students from colleges and universities throughout the country.

In collaboration with the Department of Medical and Molecular Parasitology and with other faculty from the Departments of Biochemistry, Medicine and Pathology, the Department of Microbiology administers an interdisciplinary NIH Training Program in Basic Microbiological Processes in Infectious Diseases. The purpose of this program is to offer comprehensive training in the basic mechanisms of infectious disease to pre- and postdoctoral students.

Requirements of the Microbiology Department are three rotations and course work, including two semesters of Foundations in Cell and Molecular Biology in the first year, and Medical Microbiology in the second year. Seminars in microbiology are also a requirement. These comprise a student/faculty journal club in the fall and research talks in the spring. Students are also encouraged to take a least one elective class in microbiology, such as Bacterial Pathogenesis or Advanced Virology, which are given during the spring semester in alternate years.

The qualifying exam must be completed by the end of the 2nd year (i.e. after the first year in your advisor's laboratory). The exam consists of writing an NIH-style proposal on your research topic and defending it in front of a faculty committee.

Please review the qualifying exam guidelines and bring a copy of the committee evaluation form entitled Qualifying Exam Report to your exam.

Annual committee meetings are also a departmental requirement to monitor progress. A comittee meeting evaluation form entitled Committee Meeting Progress Report should be completed by the advisor or committee chair and sent to the graduate advisor. Again, it is the responsibility of the student to bring the form to the meeting.