Master of Professional Studies in Microbiology

University of Maine

The Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences offers programs in graduate studies leading to a master’s or Ph.D. in Microbiology. The thesis program (MS) or non-thesis option (MPS) is designed for professionals who wish to upgrade their knowledge or skills. Prerequisites for admission include a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or other biological science with undergraduate work in organic chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and physics. The curriculum plan is variable and will take into account each student’s goals for graduate study and the content of his or her previous preparation. The master’s program generally requires two to three years for completion, while the time for completion for a doctorate is typically four to six years. Students may choose from biomedical research areas such as innate immunity, signal transduction, toll-like receptors, immunotoxicology, virology, bacteriology, host-pathogen interactions, and infectious disease.The M.P.S., Master of Professional Studies, is a non-thesis Master’s degree. M.P.S. students pursue course work, attend seminars, and complete a small research project culminating in a defense, at a pace and level appropriate to their outside schedules and backgrounds. The M.P.S. degree is primarily for active professionals in biological and health-related sciences who aim to earn a degree part-time OR secondary school teachers OR individuals lacking previous biomedical research experience who are interested in gaining some research experience and graduate training OR individuals who need catch-up on BMMB-related coursework before pursuing higher education or careers in biochemistry, microbiology, or molecular biology.