The interest in explaining natural phenomena, including disease, is the basis for most students’ interest in the biological sciences. Microbiology has played a central role in all aspects of the biological sciences and an understanding of microbiology is fundamental to biological research. Our Ph.D. graduate program encourages a faculty-student relationship that creates a learning environment which is stimulating, productive, and rewarding for all its’ participants. Students gain advanced knowledge of general microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; microbial genetics; molecular mechanisms of microbial regulation and pathogenesis; immunology; virology; and recombinant DNA technology. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in microbiology.