Infectious Diseases
Introduction
Degree Programs
Admissions
Financial Support
Opportunities for Graduates
Further Information
The study of infectious diseases focuses on those interactions between infectious agents, their human and other hosts, and the environment, that may lead to disease in human populations. Infectious disease agents include primarily pathogenic bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa, and viruses.
M.P.H.
The master's degree in public health (M.P.H.) provides a basic course of study of infectious diseases in the public health context. The curriculum allows students to pursue interests in infectious disease epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and international health. Persons with no prior experience in infectious diseases, but with a firm background in biology can gain the basic education necessary to pursue careers in the public health, industrial, and clinical fields of infectious diseases. The time required to complete the M.P.H. degree is typically two years.
M.P.H. Curriculum Requirements
Breadth requirements include a first semester broad overview of the public health field and a last semester integrative breadth course, as well as courses in biostatistics and epidemiologic methods. ID core requirements include courses in principles of infectious disease, host-parasite interactions, infectious diseases laboratory, current issues in infectious disease, and molecular immunology. ID advanced courses: Two are required from molecular biology of animal viruses, molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis, molecular parisitology, viruses and human cancer, and molecular epidemiology of infectious disease. Public health practice requirement: Every M.P.H. student completes a field placement for a minimum of 12 weeks. Past examples include research projects on campus, an assessment of TB programs in New York City, monitoring HIV, and performing molecular epidemiology field research in Brazil. Other requirements include a comprehensive written and oral examination focusing on a public health issue and each M.P.H. student is also expected to participate in at least one seminar course in Infectious Diseases.
Ph.D.
The Graduate Group in Infectious Diseases and Immunity is an interdepartmental doctoral degree program that provides students with the opportunity for research in the area of infectious diseases. The degree program is unique in emphasizing integrated, multidisciplinary training in host-pathogen-environmental interactions. The objective of this program is to provide students with research-oriented pursuits that will train them to design and implement independent investigations. The goal is to promote health by integration of basic research and applied technologies for the development of new approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of infectious disease in humans. Graduates from this program will acquire expertise in fundamental infectious disease research for which there is demand from academic institutions, local and national government agencies, and biotechnology companies. The time required to complete the Ph.D. degree is typically five years.
Ph.D. Curriculum Requirements
Core requirements include courses from infectious diseases, molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology and biostatistics, research seminars, and ethics in research and practice. Areas of Specialization: Ph.D. students select areas tailored to meet their career goals from molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions; ecology, evolution and transmission of infectious disease; and prevention and control of infectious disease. Other requirements include one semester as a graduate instructional assistant in a laboratory course; an oral qualifying examination (after 2 years); and a major research dissertation.
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Final selection will depend on the faculty's ranking of all applicants based on academic record, intellectual potential, preparation, letters of recommendation, research interests, and overall promise.
Applicants must meet the School's admissions requirements to be admitted to the program.
Graduate students are eligible and encouraged to apply for: Extramural fellowships (e.g. from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease), and intramural fellowships through UCB Graduate Division Teaching and Research Assistantships awarded by the Infectious Diseases Division and Infectious Diseases faculty.
Training in infectious diseases at Berkeley provides a sound basis for careers in several areas including: section supervisor of a laboratory (clinical diagnostic, biotech, university, private, or government), instructor or faculty in a junior college, academic coordinator for microbiology lab courses in a college or university, infection control officer in a hospital or other institution, surveillance assistant in a public health department, biohazard inspector, environmental microbiologist, industrial hygienist, health facility evaluator, restaurant inspector, and science writer.
Visit the Infectious Diseases Division web site at http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~microbes to learn more about the program or contact the Infectious Diseases office at (510) 642-2613 or microbe@berkeley.edu.