The Doctor of Philosophy degree is the highest degree offered by the University. It is conferred only for work of distinction in which the student displays powers of original scholarship. The major emphasis of the doctoral

program in the Department of Microbiology/Immunoogy is to provide an environment for the student to learn how to think; to ask questions and to answer them in the laboratory and library; to write and communicate; and to develop into a mature, articulate, and competent biomedical scientist.

It is important that the student understands that

satisfactory progress is required in order to remain in

the doctoral program.  The student's Advisor, the members of his/her Advisory Committee, and the Departmental faculty work in convert with the Department Head to review the qualitative and quantitative academic progress of each student.  A

student who fails to meet the Departmental guidelines for making continuous progress toward his/her degree or who does not follow the specific recommendations of his/her Advisory Committee is subject to being placed on academic probation or being dismissed from the doctoral program.

THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM CONSISTS OF EIGHT MAJOR COMPONENTS: