MICaB Ph.D. Program
Welcome Message and Program Overview
Sandra K. Armstrong , Ph.D., Director of Graduate Studies
Welcome and thanks for your interest in the Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology (MICaB) Ph.D. Graduate Program at the University of Minnesota. Your passion for research can lead to an exciting and satisfying career in the biological and biomedical sciences. You can get there by earning a Ph.D. in the MICaB program. If the process of discovery and the potential to enhance human health through research excites and motivates you, we invite you to begin this journey by joining the MICaB Ph.D. program.
- What is MICaB? The MICaB Graduate Program at the University of Minnesota will provide you with the intellectual background and array of techniques needed to excel in today's interdisciplinary world of biological and biomedical research. You will become part of a unique training program that emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research, while providing opportunities for you to specialize in a specific research area of interest. You will have a large number of outstanding faculty mentors to work with, state-of-the-art research facilities, advanced coursework that will provide you with the foundation of knowledge necessary for success in the laboratory, career guidance and development, a group of motivated student peers and colleagues, and a pleasant living environment in a vibrant, culturally rich city.
- What about the research? Research is
what it’s all about in graduate school. You want and
need a collegial environment where outstanding faculty committed
to fostering your growth as a scientist are performing cutting
edge research using state of the art techniques and equipment.
In the MICaB program, you will be immersed in just such an environment,
allowing you to quickly become proficient in many aspects of biomedical
science. You can choose to do your research with over 80
different faculty members and the extensive collaborations between
MICaB laboratories will allow you to work with and meet many world-renowned
scientists. The University of Minnesota consistently ranks
as one of the nation’s top research universities, as assessed
by The Center for Measuring University Performance (http://mup.asu.edu)
out of Arizona State University. The academic environment
here is truly outstanding.
These are among the many research topics being studied by MICaB faculty:
Microbiology - Bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogenesis; Environmental sensing and development in microbes; Microbial genomics; Genetic engineering of microorganisms for biotechnology
Immunology - Lymphocyte tolerance and autoimmunity; Lymphocyte activation and survival; Lymphocyte development; Transplantation; Immunotherapy
Cancer Biology - Cell Biology and Metastasis; Cancer Genetics; Stem Cell Biology; Tumor Immunology
In addition to providing you with the research environment and facilities necessary to be successful, our faculty actively promote your career development. You will present your research at regional, national, and international meetings and publish in prestigious journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell.
- How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in the MICaB program? - It takes about 5 years to earn a Ph.D. in the MICaB program. During your first year, you perform rotations in different laboratories of your choosing so that you can gain exposure to the various research opportunities that are available to you in the MICaB program. At the end of your rotations, you identify a faculty advisor and begin your thesis research. All MICaB students also take courses during their first two years on the structure, function, and metabolism of microorganisms, molecular immunology, and cancer biology, as well as specialized courses in your chosen track (Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology). At the end of your second year, you complete a two-part qualifying examination. After you pass both examinations, you are considered a "Ph.D. candidate" and finish the research required for your Ph.D.. Your advisor and thesis committee help you throughout your tenure in our program. They also review your final written thesis. Once they have approved the thesis, you present a seminar open to the university community in which you discuss and defend your research. Throughout your tenure in the program, you will have regular opportunities to participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, retreats, and student research seminars that allow you to develop and improve your communication skills. You will publish your thesis research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and travel to present your research at national and international research meetings.
- What happens after I get my Ph.D.? Most of our students go on to conduct additional postdoctoral training, either in academia or in the biotechnology industry. This is the standard career track in the biological sciences, and postdoctoral training is generally a prerequisite for permanent research positions in academia and industry. Our job in the MICaB program is to provide you with the appropriate training and expertise so that you can obtain a postdoctoral position of your choosing anywhere in the world. The range of career options for MICaB Ph.D. graduates is greater than ever before. Although most of our graduates are ultimately interested in obtaining research positions in research universities or industry, your training in MICaB will provide the foundation to pursue other career paths, such as undergraduate teaching and research, scientific publishing, research grants management and administration, business and law. The MICaB Career Development Committee will provide you with opportunities to learn more about career path options.
- How much does it cost? We provide you with an annual stipend that covers your living expenses. Currently, this is $24,500 per year. We also pay your tuition and provide you with one of the most generous health care benefit packages in graduate education. Simply put, we pay you to go to school. You do not have to pay for your education here.
- How do I apply? The nuts and bolts of how to apply
to the MICaB program can be found on the MICaB website (www.micab.umn.edu).
We recommend that you apply no later than December 1. Our
faculty admissions committee pays particular attention to your
academic performance (grades and GRE scores), your personal statement,
the quality of your letters of recommendation and your laboratory
research experience. We invite all of our top applicants
to visit us at our expense so that you can see for yourself what
the MICaB program has to offer.
- Where will I be living? The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are known nationally for a high quality of life, due to an unusually strong sense of community and a rich environment of cultural and recreational activities. Within the Minneapolis city limits, there are five large lakes with beaches, bike trails, walking paths and parkways. In St. Paul, Como Park includes a zoo, conservatory, lake and picnic areas. The makers of the Cranium board game crowned Minneapolis "The Most Fun City in America" and noted that Minneapolis "has more theaters than Boston, more parks than Denver, more golfers per capita than any other city in America - and, with 10,000 lakes in the state, Minnesota has more coastline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined." The Twin Cities is also a great place to raise a family. Child magazine rated the Twin Cities as one of the top 5 cities for families. Additional information is available at www.umn.edu/wishyouwerehere.
- Exactly how do you pronounce “MICaB”? MICaB stands for “Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology” and is pronounced “my-cab”.
You can learn more about the MICaB program by exploring our website at www.micab.umn.edu. You will find descriptions of the research that our faculty is conducting, information about our current and former students, details about our courses, seminars, journal clubs and research meetings, and links to further information about the Twin Cities area. And of course, we welcome you to contact us at shand@umn.edu.
MICaB
Microbiology, Immunology & Cancer Biology Ph.D. Graduate Program
University of Minnesota
Mayo Mail Code 196
Room 1460 Mayo Building, 420 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
MICaB Program Coordinator: Louise Shand
TEL: 612-624-5947
FAX: 612-626-0623
E-mail: shand@umn.edu
Director of Graduate Studies: Sandra K. Armstrong, Ph.D.
TEL: 612-625-6947
E-mail: armst018@umn.edu
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