The Graduate Program in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is designed to prepare individuals for a career as professional research scientistis in molecular aspects of gentics, immunology, microbial pathogenesis, or virology. Students in this program gain knowledge and skills required for a research career by taking a series of introductory and advanced course and by carrying out an original investigation in the laboratory of a selected faculty member. The Department is staffed by research-oriented faculty with well-equipped laboratories and trained technical personnel. Students have full access to the tools needed to conduct molecular and microbiological research including the sequencing, cloning, and expression of nucleic acids, protein purification, computer-aided analysis of DN, RNS and proteins, ultra0centrifugation, high resolution digital microimaging, and microinjection of individual cells. The faculty, fellows, technical staff and students also utilize several core research facilities to perform protein sequencing, flow cytometry, and peptide synthesis.