The Department of Microbiology offers graduate degrees leading to the Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science (thesis) and Master of Science (non-thesis) degrees. Major fields of study are diverse, and include Basic and Applied Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology, Pathogenic Microbiology, Aquatic, Ecological and Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Evolution, and Microbiome Sciences. Students may minor in a variety of related disciplines in the Life Sciences, such as Biological Data Sciences, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Chemistry, or obtain certificates in areas such as College and University Teaching (CERT). The principal objective of the Doctoral Program in Microbiology is the completion of a comprehensive research project and preparation of a dissertation. Student programs and research projects are developed with the major professor and are subject to approval by a committee of graduate faculty members. Example of research areas may include, but are not limited to, Human Gut Microbiome/Gut-Brain Axis, Bioinformatics Applied to Microbiome Data, Microbial Interactions, Microbial Drug Resistance and Food Safety, and Aquatic Microbiology. Microbiology research facilities are excellent, well-equipped, well-funded and employ state of the art technology. The Master Program in Microbiology can be pursued as thesis or through two non-thesis tracks, Microbiome Analytics or BioHealth Sciences.