Microbiology is an integral part of the life science and biotechnology disciplines across the North Carolina State University campus. The Microbiology Graduate Program involves research and education in laboratories and departments that form inter-disciplinary teams to address critical, global challenges for science and society. The MGP (http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/microbiology/) offers courses of study and research leading to the Ph.D., M.S., Master of Microbiology (M.M.) and Master of Microbial Biotechnology (M.M.B.) degrees.
The research-based degrees (M.S and Ph.D.) offered by the program are designed to prepare students for careers in academic, industrial or research institute settings. Course offerings for Microbiology research students focus on microbial genetics and physiology, bioprocessing and fermentation, biotechnology, virology, immunology and host-pathogen interactions. Research throughout the program is diverse, emphasizing most areas where microbes, viruses and systems biology have relevance to basic science and biotechnology. Research opportunities for students involve many areas of specialization including biofuels, bioremediation, environmental microbiology, antibiotic resistance, extremophiles, bacterial pathogens, probiotics, developmental epigenetics, bacteriophages, inflammation modulation and viral pathogenesis; the list is long and broad. Financial support for study towards Ph.D. and M.S. degrees is limited, but can be available in the form of teaching/research assistantships and competitive fellowships.
The non-research-based Masters of Microbial Biotechnology (MMB) is a Professional Science Masters degree that combines concentrations in Microbiology, Business and Biotechnology. This degree is specifically designed to prepare students for positions in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical and agrobusiness industries. The program includes courses that involve semester-long interactions with local biotechnology companies as well as foundational courses in microbiology, business management and molecular biology. The M.M. degree is a rigorous non-thesis degree that is designed for students who want a higher degree in microbiology but do not want to conduct research or are unable to commit to the time demands of a research degree. Many students in the M.M. program either work for local employers or are interested in subsequent applications to professional schools. Financial support is extremely limited for either M.M.B or M. M. students.

