Microbiology, M.S.

The Master of Science in Microbiology consists of advanced coursework directed towards mycology and bacteriology principles that relate to ecological, medical and industrial contexts.

One Year Non-Thesis Masters: Requires up to 33 credit hours of course work and up to 6 hours of directed studies, with the total number of credit hours not exceeding 36. Students will enroll in BIOL 685 (Directed Studies) during their final semester in order to complete their final exam. The final exam is a comprehensive written paper over a topic of interest that connects to course work done over the year.

Thesis Masters: Requires 32 credit hours, including at least 8 hours of research and 24 hours of coursework. The degree will take 2 years to complete.

M.S. in Microbiology Program Requirements

Requirements for Admission

Applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree in one of the life sciences, with at least 3 semesters of Biology, including Microbiology, 4 semesters of Chemistry, including Organic Chemistry, 1 semester of Biochemistry, 2 semesters of Physics, and one advanced Mathematics course beyond algebra and trigonometry. Applications from students lacking any of the general requirements will be considered, but any deficiencies must be resolved before completion of the program. Qualified students are admitted to the Microbiology M.S. program under the non-thesis option.

For consideration, applications should be received by March 1, 2024.

Submit online in the Texas A&M University Graduate CAS application portal.

In addition to the online application, you will need to submit the following:

1. A Statement of Purpose:

• For students applying to the Non-Thesis Option, the statement of purpose should then explain why you want to pursue graduate studies, your future goals, and how you believe this program will help reach your goals.
• For students applying to the Thesis Option, the statement of purpose should then explain why you want to pursue graduate studies, why you are applying to our department, your research interests, and a description of your previous research experience.

2. Transcripts can be sent directly to the Texas A&M Office of Admissions (address below). You can upload unofficial transcripts to CAS; however, if you are admitted to the microbiology program, you must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions before the start of the fall semester.

3. Two letters of recommendation should be submitted through CAS.

4. TOEFL/IELTS scores:

• Have TOEFL scores (for international applicants) sent to the Texas A&M Office of Admissions. The Institute Code for Texas A&M University is 6003 (there is no department code needed).
• IELTS scores need to be sent electronically to Texas A&M University (College Station and Galveston). Texas A&M University only accepts scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test center. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted.

5. C.V.: Upload your resume or C.V. to CAS.

6. Letter from Faculty Member: For student’s applying to the thesis-option program, please upload a letter from the faculty member with whom you will work that states she/he will be your primary advisor.

• Applicants should visit the Faculty Research Interests page to identify the most suitable labs and contact the faculty directly.

7. Additional Information: We no longer take the GRE.

Please do not send any materials directly to the Department of Biology. Everything should go to the Office of Admissions or uploaded through CAS.

Funding

Microbiology Master’s students are eligible for teaching assistantships through the Department of Biology. In order to be placed on a list to receive a teaching assistantship, students must enroll in and successfully complete BIOL 697: Methods in Teaching Biology Laboratory. The course will take place in the two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester.

Microbiology master’s students will be teaching three sections of a biology lab (e.g. BIOL 111 Lab, BIOL 112 Lab, etc.). The assistantship will give students in-state tuition and pay a monthly salary of $3,000.

Thesis Option

The thesis option will introduce you to laboratory-conducted research. You will gain practical exposure to experimental techniques that address questions involving free-living and pathogenic microbial systems. These methodologies include statistical, biochemical, genetic/genomic, molecular and microscopy techniques used for obtaining and organizing data from diverse microbial organisms.

You will also develop writing and oral skills to effectively communicate new discoveries to fellow scientists and to the general public.

First Fall Semester Courses for Thesis Students

Thesis Students: Enroll in 9 hours your first semester and talk with PI about research expectations.

First Spring Semester Courses for Thesis Students

Thesis Students: Enroll in 9 hours your first semester and talk with PI about research expectations.

First Summer Semester Course for Thesis Students

Second Fall Semester Courses for Thesis Students

Second Spring Semester Courses for Thesis Students

Second Summer Semester Course for Thesis Students

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option involves intense advanced coursework. You will obtain an advanced knowledge-base in ecological, cellular, molecular and genetic attributes that concern free-living and pathogenic microbial systems.

You will also develop writing skills to effectively communicate current discoveries in microbiology to the general public.

First Fall Semester Courses for Non-Thesis Students

Full Time Students should be enrolled in 14 hours total, and Part-Time Students enrolled in 6 hours of the following courses (5 hours of required courses and 9 hours (3 courses) of electives).

Required Courses

First Spring Courses for Non-Thesis Students

Non-Thesis Students: Full Time Students should be enrolled in 14 hours total, and Part-Time Students enrolled in 6 hours of the following courses (6 hours of required courses and 9 hours (3 courses) of electives).

Required Courses

Summer Semester Courses for Non-Thesis Students (Final Semester)