Master in Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

This program provides a stimulating environment for our students who will play a leadership role in academic, government, and industrial research and in international health organizations. Advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics have opened new approaches to the study of basic and applied aspects of infectious disease and host defense. We are applying these approaches to studies of microbial pathogenesis, immune cell function, inflammation, receptor signaling, prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation, genetic manipulation of cell functions, tumor immunology and immunotherapy, and vaccine development. Techniques including functional genomics, gene delivery, and derivation of transgenic animals are being developed and utilized to address specific questions. Our program provides interactive, multifaceted education and research training, and as a result, our graduates receive a comprehensive education in molecular and cell biology, microbiology, and immunology and in-depth training in their chosen area of research.

Dr. Reginald V. Truitt, zoologist, and founder of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, penned this quote in 1932 to justify the need for fisheries research in the Chesapeake Bay. A pioneer of environmental science in Maryland, Dr. Truitt was among the first to realize the Bay’s growing decline—and it's potential for renewal with the assistance of humankind. His dedicated work and inspiring foresight gave rise to one of the world’s leading institutions for coastal studies.

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) traces its origins to the establishment of the Chesapeake Laboratory in 1925, the oldest state-supported marine laboratory in continuous operation on the East Coast.

Originally established to conduct scientific studies on Maryland’s natural resources, UMCES has become a scientific authority on the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed and a leading institution for the advancement of scientific knowledge of the environment around the world.