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The primary objective of the Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) track, one of six sub-plans of the Applied Biosciences GIDP, is to instruct and prepare students for an occupation in the diverse field of biomedical sciences. The focus in the MMI track is training students to attain a graduate level biomedical education with an emphasis on medical microbiology, immunology, and virology.
The disciplines of microbiology and immunology started centuries ago with the development of the simple microscope (the 1600's). Using this new scientific tool and the seminal work by major microbiologist’s in the 1800’s, led to the vanquishing of the theory of spontaneous generation as the source of disease. The ultimate cause of the disease was shown, using hypothesis-based scientific investigations, to be microorganisms or bacteria, and became known as “The Germ Theory” of disease. These foundations in Medical Microbiology led to queries into how one could prevent disease by vaccination and by the use of antisera (antibody). These studies used antibodies raised against the bacterial toxins in animals. The antitoxin serum led to the use of passive immunization to protect and cure infectious diseases and vaccines against these deadly agents. This work was seminal in the development and futures discoveries in the field of immunology. Major research and discoveries in the areas of medical microbiology and immunology have played a major part in the rapid advances in genomics, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. These technologies have also had a major impact on recent advancements in MMI.
This program is unique in incorporating the MMI-biomedical science training along with the linking and integration of important knowledge from the disciplines of management, business, and law. All students in the PSM program are required to complete an internship, in our case, in the area of MMI. Students do internships with biotechnology companies based in the Tucson-Phoenix corridor, or in academic research laboratories, and obtain invaluable on-the-job training, experience, and knowledge. This real world expertise obtained in the internship is unique and different from classroom learning or taking on-line courses.
This innovative curriculum will give students the ability to take various career paths upon graduation. This could include doing research at “the bench”, to manage a laboratory at a university or in industry. With knowledge gained in business and legal fields, our trained scholars can also become involved in the business side of biomedical science. Graduates from this track will be ready for such diverse professional vocations in the areas of: biotechnology, biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, local or national government, academic institutions, plus positions in immunologic and microbiologic biotechnology companies.
The MMI subplan is working in alliance with the Certificate Program in Microbiology and Immunity (MIGCP) which is housed within the Department of Immunology. Upon admission to the ABS MMI track, the 15 units completed by the student for the MIGCP certificate may be transferred as fulfillment of the Core Science and Science Electives Modules of the MMI subplan.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Graduate College/GIDP
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Students who wish to apply to the Professional Science Master's degree in Applied Biosciences must have the minimum qualifications:
A Bachelors (or equivalent) degree with a major in an area of biosciences from an accredited institution.
A minimum 3.0 GPA
A desire to pursue a professional career in the applied biosciences.
Admissions Process
Students should apply directly to the specific track in the program they wish to pursue. The application should be submitted online (only) via the Graduate College website (http://grad.arizona.edu). Be prepared to submit the following materials:
Scans of all transcripts (official versions will be requested if you are selected for admission)
GRE scores (recommended but not required; general test only)
Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language.
Acceptable English Proficiency Credentials can be found at:
https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency
GPAs for all undergraduate work
A one to two page statement of interests, which outlines your background (including any professional experience) and your professional goals.
You should separately arrange with two references (typically former or current professors or work supervisors) who can comment on your skills, training and potential for the PSM in Applied Biosciences. You will need to include their names and email addresses in your online application
Required test(s):
Required GRE Subject tests: general test only
Minimum GRE Verbal: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minimum GRE Quantitative: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minumum GRE Written: 0-6, in half point increments
Minimum MAT:
Minimum TOEFL: 79 internet based (IBT) 550 paper based (PB) required for international students or
Minimum IELTS: 7 (no subject area below a 6) for international students
Minimum Pearson PTE Academic
Minimum Minimum CEPT: 110 on Full Academic test for international students
For more information on the English Proficiency requirement, please click here
There is no funding support directly available from this program.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
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The ABS program is designed specifically to prepare students to competitively enter the scientific workforce. During the two-year course of study, students will gain a strong understanding of the applications of the biological sciences to real world problems, including those faced by public institutions and private industry. A minimum of 36 unit hours is needed for this degree; 6-9 of these units are for the research internship and report. Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete the degree. Students may apply for, and be admitted to, any of the 4 tracks (“sub-plans”). Each track has its own specific core requirements and electives
Curriculum
All Tracks have the following general structure.
Science Module...................................................15 Units
Professional Preparation Module.............................12 Units
Internship Module (including the Final Report)..........9 Units
Total.................................................................36 Units
Core Coursework Requirements
Core Coursework for the Science Module: 15 Units Required (9 Core + 6 Electives)
Core Science Classes: Choose 9 Units
BE 513 Applied Biostatistics, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 504 Cell Biology of Disease, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 501 Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 519 General Immunological Concepts, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 533 Medical and Molecular Virology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 548 Basic Immunological Concepts, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 565 Principles and Molecular Mechanisms of Microbe-Host Interactions, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB/CMM 605 Medical Immunology and Infectious Disease, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 696A Research Seminar, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
Core Coursework for the Internship Module (9 units minimum)
ABS 593A Internship, 8 units, minimum required grade S or P
ABS 909 Master’s Report, 1 unit, minimum required grade S or P
Core Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (2 units minimum)
BE 501 Research Methods in Biosystems Engineering, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 595D Scientific Writing, Presentations and Bioethics, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 508 Scientific Writing for Environmental, Agricultural and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
OPTI 597B Technical writing and communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Minimum GPA in core coursework: 3.0
Science Electives: Choose 6 Units
Electives can include any course from the Core Science Module as well. Courses not listed here may also be chosen but require an agreement with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Committee.
BIOC 565 Proteins and Enzymes, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOC 568 Nucleic Acids, Metabolism, and Signaling, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 576A Biostatistics for Public Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 504 Cell Biology of Disease, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 588 Principles Cellular &Molecular Neurobiology , 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 525 Environmental Microbiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EPID 573A Basic Principals of Epidemiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EPID 660 Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 696A Research Seminar, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 503R Biology of Animal Parasites, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 595A Critical Evaluation of Scientific Literature, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 516A Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 573 Recombinant DNA Methods and Applications, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 528L Microbial Genetics Laboratory, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 528R Microbial Genetics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 539 Methods in Cell Biology and Genomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Elective Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (Choose 9 to 10 units to reach a total of 12 units for the Module)
ACBS 568A Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 568B Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles II, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 571 Risk Assessment, Management and Communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ABE 552 Globalization, Sustainability Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACCT 521 Business Law for Accountants, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 509 Team Organizational Leadership, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 510 Entrepreneurial Leadership in Agriculture and the Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 511 Principles and Application of Organizational Development, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 522 Communicating Knowledge in Agriculture and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
AREC 550 Financial Management for Agribusiness, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BNAD 597B Advanced Consulting Projects, 3-4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 597C Grant Writing for Graduate Students, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CTS 595C Responsible Conduct of Research, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
ECON 578 Energy, the Environment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EHS 575 Environmental and Occupational Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 512A Management of Technology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 514 Law for Engineers/Scientists, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 506 Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 515 Strategic Planning, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 548 Healthcare Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 557 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 581A Assessing Early Stage Medical Technologies for Commercialization, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
GRAD 595D Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 521 Scientific Grantsmanship, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 695D Regulatory Science, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 576A Drug, Discovery, Development and Marketing Obligations, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 578A Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 589A Regulatory Science Case Study Project, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 695E Science, Society, and Ethics, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 535 International Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 538 Health Organization and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 563 Doing Business In/With Africa, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 506 Healthcare Information Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 578 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MKTG 510 Marketing-Based Management, 2 units, A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PCOL 5 84 Fundamentals in Industrial and Environmental Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 506 Economic Foundations for Health Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 562 Health Services Administration, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 569 Fundamentals of Health Budgeting and Financial Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 574 Public Health Policy and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 513 Health Technology Assessment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 515 Technical Sales and Marketing, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 567 Financial Modeling for Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SLHS 649 Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Minimum GPA in Elective coursework: 3.0
Students need to do an oral presentation and submit a written report of the internship
See Applied Biosciences Current Student Handbook for detailed information
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.