Prospective students

The Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology offers PhD and MD-PhD degrees. Our program is part of the Program in Biomedical Sciences “umbrella program”, which offers PhD graduate students the opportunity to explore different biomedical fields before deciding which scientific program to join. Students who choose to join the microbiology program receive rigorous research training in the fields of virology, host-pathogen interactions, and immunology. We offer specialist courses and seminars from leaders in these fields. We provide students with opportunities to deliver journal club and research presentations. We also provide students with a practice qualifying exam to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and hone their skills. Students perform an original research project with expert guidance from their mentor and other faculty. Our students present their research at national and international meetings, publish in high quality journals, and have gone on to enjoy successful careers in academia, the biomedical industry, and science policy. Feel free to click on the “current students”  to learn about the VIM program in more detail.

Students interested in our PhD program should apply directly to PiBS through the GMS admissions portal.

Students interested in our MD-PhD program can learn more about the admissions process and requirements through the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine MD/ PhD portal.

Please note that prospective students cannot apply directly to the VIM program,
and faculty in the department are not able to directly accept students.