Prospective Applicants

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology Ph.D. program. For admission into the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, students must apply to the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP). The BBSP is the common portal by which students interested in any of the 15 participating Ph.D. graduate programs will begin their graduate studies at UNC.

If you are interested in applying to Microbiology and Immunology, application information and instructions may found at Apply to BBSP. BBSP interviews are conducted by Zoom in January and February according to the schedule. Admitted students are invited to come to Chapel Hill for one of two Thursday through Saturday visits in March prior to making their decision.

Once admitted, BBSP students have the freedom to choose their three laboratory rotations and coursework from any of the 15 participating graduate programs during the first year. Students are welcome to consult with the Director of Graduate Studies, Bob Bourret, at any time regarding microbiology and immunology coursework and program details.

At the end of the first year, BBSP students choose a research mentor/thesis advisor who is affiliated with the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology and will become a Microbiology and Immunology graduate student. Once in the program, students complete required coursework and preliminary examinations, propose a research topic, choose a dissertation committee, and engage in dissertation research. The average time to earn a MCRO PhD degree is 5.5 years, including time in BBSP. The time to degree is similar in all BBSP PhD programs.

The BBSP only admits students seeking a PhD. Students seeking a M.S. degree will not be considered.

Please direct all questions about admissions and/or your application to the BBSP at bbsp@unc.edu or 919-843-6960