Microbiology Graduate Program

ETSU College of Public Health

General Program Information

Research Faculty

Our Graduate Program is a joint program between the Department of Biology and the Department of Health Sciences. Biology is a vast and exciting field that connects to every aspect of nature and human well-being. Health Sciences focuses on the Medical and Health Related aspects of Microbiology and Human Anatomy/Physiology. The goal of our joint graduate program is to prepare students to be robust contributors to science and society by building literacy in science and by conducting integrative and innovative research that informs and inspires the community at large.

The Department of Biological Sciences at ETSU offers diverse opportunities for graduate training. Research fields in our program include genomics, evolutionary biology, community ecology, chemical ecology, biochemistry, behavioral ecology, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, developmental biology, forest ecology, biomedical sciences, among other exciting fields.

The Department of Health Sciences at ETSU provides a “human-centric” program with exposure to current concepts, laboratory techniques, and disease prevention/health care recommendations and protocols. The degree emphasizes biomedical sciences with a focus on microbiology, immunology, virology, and disease related to human health, as well as anatomy, physiology.

Our Master’s program is divided in three main concentrations, biology, biomedical sciences and microbiology. You will join a collaborative environment with a group of productive and engaged faculty that use novel and diverse methodologies and state of the art equipment in the lab and in the field. You will also join a diverse and enthusiastic group of graduate students and will have the opportunity to enhance your professional skills by participating in research seminars, graduate workshops, teaching, and social events. Our program offers full financial support to students.

Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biological Science in Biology conduct their research in the laboratory of a faculty from the Department of Biology. Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Microbiology generally conduct their research in the laboratory of a faculty in the Department of Health Sciences. Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in the Biomedical Program may conduct their research with faculty in the Department of Biology, the Department of Health Sciences, or with faculty at the Quillen College of Medicine. 

For more information, contact Erik Petersen, Graduate Coordinator. 

Graduate and Professional Student Association

Timeline

Degree Timeline

  1. 1

    Semester 1


  2. 2

    Semester 2

    • Perform research related to thesis project.
    • Meet with Committee to update on research progress.

     

  3. Summer

    Summer

    • Take Qualifying Exam.
  4. 3

    Semester 3

    • Perform research related to thesis project.
    • Meet with Committee to update on research progress.

     

  5. 4

    Semester 4 (and beyond)

    • Thesis defense must be publicly announced and advertised 2 weeks prior to the defense date (this can be coordinated between the student, mentor, and Eric Jones).
    • Research mentor must file a Notification of Thesis Defense form at least 10 days prior to defense date.
    • After the thesis defense, the mentor must file the Results of Thesis Defense form.

 

Job Outlook

Employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 7,500 openings for medical scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.


Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Outlook

Where Do Graduates Work?

Top Biotech Jobs

Other Employment

 CePH