The UBC Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers:
- Undergraduate Degree Programs
- Graduate Degree Programs
UNDERGRADUATE
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers six distinct undergraduate specializations that lead to a Bachelor of Science. These specializations include the:
- Major (1153): Microbiology and Immunology (MBIM)
- Honours (1154): Microbiology and Immunology (MBIM)
- Joint Degree Honours (1136): Biotechnology (BIOT)
- Combined Major (1371): Computer Science & Microbiology and Immunology (CMJ CPSC – MBIM)
- Combined Honours (1373): Computer Science & Microbiology and Immunology (CHN CPSC – MBIM)
- Combined Major (3144): Microbiology and Oceanography (CMJ MBIM – OCGY)
- Minor Program - The Faculty of Science allows Minors in Arts, Commerce, Lands and Food Systems, Human Kinetics and Science.
Read the Calendar first to find out exactly what qualifications are needed. The Commerce Minor has limited access; you must apply and be accepted into the program in order to pursue it. If you wish to include a Minor in Commerce in your program of studies, you should discuss the application with a Faculty of Science Senior Advisor in your second year.
A minor in Microbiology and Immunology consists of 18 upper level MICB credits.
Explore Minors here!
All students take the same core courses but appropriate choices of selections allow students to develop foundations in diverse areas such as:
- Applied Microbiology
- Environmental microbiology
- Immunology
- Microbial Pathogenesis
- Microbial Physiology
- Molecular Genetics
- Virology Bioinformatics
- Computer Science and Oceanography
Eligible students entering second year wanting to apply to the Joint Degree Biotechnology Honours specialization and all students wanting to enter second year Microbiology and Immunology Major, Honours or second year Combined Computer Science and Microbiology and Immunology Major, Honours or Microbiology and Oceanography Major specializations must apply using the online process administered by the Faculty of Science. Eligible students finishing first year will receive an email communication regarding the process in late May or early June. Due to the similarity between the Major and Honours specializations in second year the Faculty of Science only admits students directly to the Major or the Combined Major.
Continuation to the third year of a specialization depends on the particular specialization. The MBIM specializations and the combined MBIM/OCGY specialization require MICB 322 while the combined CPSC/MIBM specializations do not. Although MICB 322 is available to students in the combined CPSC/MBIM specializations, this course is not required.
GRADUATE
Microbiology and Immunology at UBC is internationally recognized for its excellence in research and teaching. Our 25 core Research Faculty members lead a community of more than 160 graduate students, postdocs, research associates and technicians with considerable strength in microbiology, immunology, and virology. We are at the forefront of interdisciplinary research to understand the function of the microbiome in human health, host-pathogen interactions, immune function to control cancer, microbial ecology and geochemistry, and antimicrobial therapies. We also encourage interdisciplinary research through collaboration within the department and with groups at UBC and beyond.
Master’s Degree (MSc)
The MSc program is a research based program consists of course work, a teaching assistantship, and completion and defence of a thesis.
Learning outcomes:
- Perform literature analysis
- Acquire written and oral skills through public speaking at seminars conferences
- Teaching, time and project management
- Research skills
- Data integration, prediction, and interpretation
- Mastering techniques and technology
- Forming and testing a hypothesis
Master's Stipend: We are committed to providing competitive stipends* for graduate students.
Minimum Stipend: $26,791
*Supplement Equivalent to Tuition
Students are expected to seek additional funding opportunities including individual scholarships, awards, and Teaching Assistantships.
Forms:
- Initial Thesis Project
- Full Course List
- Committee Report
- Thesis Committee Report
- TAships
- Master's Defence
- Master's Thesis Approval
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)
The PhD program is a research based program comprised of course work, a teaching assistantship, department seminar, expectation to publish original research, completion and public defence of a thesis.
Learning outcomes:
- Perform literature analysis
- Acquire written and oral skills through public speaking at seminars conferences
- Teaching, time, and project management
- Technical expertise
- Manage, predict, and interpret original and independent research
- Become an expert in your field of study
PhD Stipend: We are committed to providing competitive stipends* for graduate students.
Minimum Stipend: $29,070
*Supplement Equivalent to Tuition
Students are expected to seek additional funding opportunities including individual scholarships, awards, and Teaching Assistantships.
Forms:
Comprehensive Exam Written Proposal
Thesis Committee Meeting Report
Supervisory Committee Permission Form
Final Doctoral Examination Programme
MD/PhD
The combined MD/PhD program is a 7-year program offered jointly by the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and is designed for students who want to pursue a career as clinician-scientists. For more information, visit: https://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/mdphd/