{"id":4104,"date":"2025-02-03T16:19:25","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T21:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/microimm\/?page_id=4104"},"modified":"2026-03-03T18:09:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T23:09:00","slug":"mcro-graduate-student-oaths","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/microimm\/mcro-graduate-student-oaths\/","title":{"rendered":"MCRO Graduate Student Oaths"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/som-cell>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>

Graduate Student Oath 2025<\/h2>\n

“As a member of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I pledge the following:<\/p>\n

1. I will uphold integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct in my research as new tools emerge;<\/p>\n

2. I will protect equity and foster diverse perspectives to enrich scientific discovery;<\/p>\n

3. I will conduct data-driven research that prioritizes advancing human well-being;<\/p>\n

4. I will commit to continual learning and growth in the pursuit of knowledge;<\/p>\n

5. I will communicate science clearly to make it accessible and understandable to all;<\/p>\n

6. I will care for my health and strive to be a positive role model for the next generation of scientists.<\/p>\n

With this oath, I declare my commitment to these promises.”<\/p>\n

Written and unanimously approved by the 2nd year class, 5\/3\/25.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>

Graduate Student Oath 2024<\/h2>\n

“I, [FIRST NAME], pledge to conduct myself with scientific integrity and ethics as a member of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Throughout my Ph.D. training, I commit to conducting research that benefits humanity without causing harm.<\/p>\n

I will value the past and present contributions of others to my work, including collaborators, patients, families, and other scientists.<\/p>\n

I will use resources and technology responsibly and represent my work with honesty.<\/p>\n

I accept the responsibilities of a scientist, including the pursuit of knowledge, mentorship, collaboration, and scientific communication.<\/p>\n

I will honor my physical, mental, and emotional health so as not to lessen the quality of research I conduct. I will foster an environment that allows others to do the same and promote inclusivity and diversity in our scientific community.<\/p>\n

I will seek to advance the biomedical sciences and contribute to knowledge of human health. These things I do promise.”<\/p>\n

Written and unanimously approved by the M&I 2024 cohort, 5\/7\/24.<\/em><\/p>\n

Modified from oaths used at West Virginia University (1), the University of Toronto (2), Boston University (3), and UNC Chapel Hill (4-6).<\/p>\n

1. Craig et al., (2003) An ethical affirmation for scientists. Science 299, 1982.<\/p>\n

2. Davis et al. (2008) A graduate student oath. Science 320, 1587.<\/p>\n

3. Ravid & Wolozin (2013) The scientist’s pledge. Academic Medicine 88, 743.<\/p>\n

4. 2014 Graduate Student Oath, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n

5. 2021 Graduate Student Oath, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n

6. 2023 Graduate Student Oath, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>

Graduate Student Oath 2023<\/h2>\n

\u201cI, [NAME], have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of scientists in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As I embark on my Ph.D. training, I willingly pledge the following:<\/p>\n

As a member of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, I pledge to uphold and practice scientific integrity and ethics.<\/p>\n

Throughout my Ph.D. training, I will conduct research that benefits humanity and adheres to the highest principles of logic, intellectual rigor, and truth.<\/p>\n

I will strive to be a responsible steward of resources, increase public understanding of science, and promote inclusivity and diversity in my research and professional life.<\/p>\n

Finally, I will honor the contributions of those who came before me and serve as a role model for future scientists.<\/p>\n

By taking this oath, I commit to these professional standards and goals.”<\/p>\n

Written and unanimously approved by the 2nd year class, 5\/24\/23.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>

Graduate Student Oath 2022<\/h2>\n

\u201cI, [NAME], have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of scientists in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As I embark on my Ph.D. training, I willingly pledge the following:<\/p>\n

I will contribute constructively to the culture and well-being of the department and larger community;<\/p>\n

I will foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable being their full selves, including, but not limited to disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnic background;<\/p>\n

I will strive to ensure that the results of my research and other scientific activities ultimately benefit humanity and cause no harm;<\/p>\n

I will endeavor to always be ethical and moral, conducting myself with scientific integrity and intellectual rigor in my research and professional life with an uncompromising respect for truth;<\/p>\n

I will convey these scientific principles in my chosen profession, in mentoring, and in public debate;<\/p>\n

I will actively participate in outreach and community-building to engage the next generation of scientists;<\/p>\n

I will seek to clearly communicate my work to increase public understanding of science, including scientific principles, and its humanitarian goals.<\/p>\n

By pronouncing this Graduate Student Oath, I declare my commitment to these professional standards and goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written and unanimously approved by the 2nd year class, 5\/6\/22.<\/em><\/p>\n

Modified from oaths used at West Virginia University (1), the University of Toronto (2), Boston University (3), and UNC Chapel Hill (4).<\/p>\n

1. Craig et al., (2003) An ethical affirmation for scientists. Science 299, 1982.<\/p>\n

2. Davis et al. (2008) A graduate student oath. Science 320, 1587.<\/p>\n

3. Ravid & Wolozin (2013) The scientist’s pledge. Academic Medicine 88, 743.<\/p>\n

4. 2021 Graduate Student Oath, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>

Graduate Student Oath 2021<\/h2>\n

\u201cI, [NAME], have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of scientists in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As I embark on my Ph.D. training, I willingly pledge the following:<\/p>\n

I will strive to be a leader within the department and to contribute constructively to the culture, wellbeing, and community.<\/p>\n

I will foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable being their full selves, inclusive of disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnic background.<\/p>\n

I will strive to always be ethical and moral, conducting myself with scientific integrity in my research and professional life.<\/p>\n

I will acknowledge and honor the contributions of scientists who have preceded me and strive to be a worthy role model and mentor for those who follow me. I will actively participate in outreach and community-building to engage the next generation of scientists.<\/p>\n

I will seek to clearly communicate my work to increase public understanding of science, including scientific principles, and its humanitarian goals.<\/p>\n

With this Graduate Student Oath, I declare my commitment to these professional standards and goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written and unanimously approved by the 2nd year class, 6\/30\/21.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>

Graduate Student Oath 2014-2020<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI, [NAME], have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of scientists in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As I embark on my Ph.D. training, I willingly pledge the following:<\/p>\n

I will strive always to ensure that the results of my research and other scientific activities ultimately benefit humanity and cause no harm;<\/p>\n

I will seek to incorporate the body of ethics and moral principles that constitute scientific integrity into all that I do and will conduct my research and my professional life in a manner that is always above reproach;<\/p>\n

I will practice and support a scientific process that is based on logic, intellectual rigor, personal integrity, and an uncompromising respect for truth;<\/p>\n

I will convey these scientific principles in my chosen profession, in mentoring, and in public debate;<\/p>\n

I will be a responsible steward of the resources provided by taxpayers and donors in support of my education and research;<\/p>\n

I will seek to increase public understanding of the principles of science and its humanitarian goals;<\/p>\n

I will acknowledge and honor the contributions of scientists who have preceded me, and try to become a worthy role model deserving of respect by those who follow me.<\/p>\n

By pronouncing this Graduate Student Oath, I declare my commitment to these professional standards and goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Modified from oaths used at West Virginia University (1), the University of Toronto (2), and Boston University (3).<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Craig et al., (2003) An ethical affirmation for scientists. Science 299, 1982.<\/p>\n

2. Davis et al. (2008) A graduate student oath. Science 320, 1587.<\/p>\n

3. Ravid & Wolozin (2013) The scientist’s pledge. Academic Medicine 88, 743.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Last updated 2\/3\/2025.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  “As a member of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I pledge the following: 1. I will uphold integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct in my research as new tools emerge; 2. I will protect equity and foster diverse perspectives to enrich scientific discovery; 3. I … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115352,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4104","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMCRO Graduate Student Oaths - Microbiology and Immunology<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/microimm\/mcro-graduate-student-oaths\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MCRO Graduate Student Oaths - Microbiology and Immunology\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"  “As a member of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I pledge the following: 1. 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