Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology
"If you go to a school like Berkeley, they give you the core requirement, and then after that they say, 'Go and do whatever you want, come back and share it with your cohort.' And that's exactly what you can do, and I just like that sort of freedom. And here the whole Bay Area is actually at your fingertips, so it's just great."
Degree Options:
The study of infectious diseases focuses on interactions between infectious agents, their hosts, and the environment that may lead to disease in humans. Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology is a multidisciplinary program. The curriculum is designed to emphasize the biology and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions; host immune response to infection associated with protection or pathology; the ecology, evolution, and transmission of infectious agents, methods of laboratory-based surveillance and the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology: 2-Year Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Curriculum & Requirements
The MPH program in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology is a 2-year course of study. The curriculum is designed to emphasize the biology and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions; host immune response to infection associated with protection or pathology; the ecology, evolution, and transmission of infectious agents; methods of laboratory-based surveillance; and the epidemiology of infectious diseases. A comprehensive Exam and an analytical paper are required for graduation.
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
Fall 2011 Admissions Statistics:
Admissions Ratio: 28/65 (43%)
Average GPA of admitted applicants: 3.66
Average GRE scores of admitted applicants:
Verbal: 600 (86%); Quantitative: 730 (77%)
*Please note that admission is competitive, and all factors such as Statement of Purpose, academic achievements, letters of recommendation, potential as a graduate student and public health professional, and overall promise will be taken into consideration.
What we look for in competitive applicants:
Competitive applicants hold a Bachelor's degree with a strong science background and have some lab research work experience.
- Common undergraduate majors: any biological science or any other major with the required courses equivalent to those of a biological science major, e.g. basic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus or college algebra, 1 year of basic biology, and some other biology courses such as microbiology, genetics, molecular biology.
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Work experience is not required for admission, but relevant work experience related to infectious diseases, e.g. laboratory or surveillance work, would be considered a plus. Most of the admitted applicants have some lab and research experience.
Employment Opportunities:
Students graduating from the M.P.H. Program in Infectious Diseases are expected to possess core knowledge and critical thinking skills in the area of infectious diseases and a basic understanding of the scope of public health and are prepared for research-related work, teaching, epidemiology, administrative, journalism and health services work.
Infectious Diseases & Immunity: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Curriculum & Requirements
The Ph.D. program in Infectious Diseases usually takes about 5 years to complete. The Graduate Group in Infectious Diseases and Immunity is an interdepartmental graduate program that is unique in its emphasis on integrated multidisciplinary training. Important areas of inquiry include the biology of host-pathogen interactions, molecular and cellular aspects of pathogenesis, the ecology and evolution of disease agents, environmental factors in transmission, intermediate hosts and vectors, the biology of surveillance and epidemiological analysis, and vaccine and disease prevention and control.
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
Teaching Requirement
Two semesters as a Graduate Student Instructor are required; one must be a 50% GSI appointment to be completed in the first two years; the other can be 25%, or preferably 50%, to be completed after the two years of study and prior to graduation.
Fall 2011 Admissions Statistics:
Admissions Ratio: 5/51 (9%)
Average GPA of admitted applicants: 3.58
Average GRE scores of admitted applicants:
Verbal: 690 (97%); Quantitative: 720 (75%)
*Please note that admission is competitive, and all factors such as Statement of Purpose, academic achievements, letters of recommendation, potential as a graduate student and public health professional and overall promise will be taken into consideration.
What we look for in competitive applicants:
The following subjects are normally required as undergraduate preparation for all candidates. Deficiencies must be made up early during the graduate program.
- Mathematics: Calculus; one course in probability or statistics.
- Physics: General physics.
- Chemistry and biochemistry: Inorganic chemistry; organic chemistry; biochemistry; and associated laboratories.
- Biology: General biology lecture and laboratory; genetics; and a basic course in molecular biology.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biology, integrative biology, microbiology, biological sciences, biology and communications
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Work experience is not required for admission, but relevant work experience related to infectious diseases, e.g. laboratory or surveillance work, would be considered a plus. Most of the admitted applicants have some lab and research experience.
Employment Opportunities:
Student matriculating through this degree program will acquire expertise in fundamental infectious diseases research for which there is demand from academic institutions, local and national government agencies, and biotechnology companies.