Microbiology and immunology includes a dynamic and exciting collection of disciplines. UNC Microbiology & Immunology students receive training and conduct research in leading areas of prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular and cellular biology, molecular genetics, pathogenesis, bacteriology, immunology, and virology, as well as in broad multi-disciplinary areas such as host-pathogen interactions. There are opportunities across the spectrum from basic to translational research.<br>Students must take at least six semester-length graduate level courses on any topic broadly relevant to microbiology or immunology. Students typically complete four courses during their first year in BBSP and the remainder during their second year after joining our program. As a large and diverse department, we encourage students to choose classes to meet their educational needs and goals and have few requirements for specific classes. All students must take the MCRO795 grant writing class in the fall semester of their second year. At least two of the six classes must be based on discussion of the primary literature rather than lectures, and at least one of the two literature-based courses must be MCRO710, MCRO711, or MCRO712. The topics in MCRO710-712 change each time the class is offered, so the same course number may be repeated for credit. The Director of Graduate Studies must approve other literature-based classes to meet our requirement.