Welcome from the Chair of
The Department of Microbiology & Immunology

As you begin the process of selecting an outstanding academic program for graduate school, I appreciate the opportunity to describe the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Knowledge in the biological and biomedical sciences continues to accelerate at a remarkably rapid pace. All of us are witnessing this extraordinary scientific revolution and almost endless application of today's discoveries and modern technologies to improve tomorrow's lifestyles and societal well-being. Recent observations concerning the influence of the microbiome on human health and disease further reinforce the fundamental contributions and influence of microorganisms on immunity, inflammation, nutrition, metabolic integrity, and neurological development. Therefore, a graduate focus in Microbiology and Immunology offers many exciting opportunities to become the multitalented, innovative and interdisciplinary scientist and educator required to compete in today's evolving scientific world.

Our graduate program emphasizes interactive and self-directed courses in microbiology and immunology as well as meaningful exposure to other biomedical disciplines, which provides the appropriate and relevant intellectual balance and preparation. Advanced courses in many key areas of Microbiology and Immunology are available, so that students can build upon their expanding knowledge base. Furthermore, students learn to write and critique grant proposals, develop skills in communication, and discuss the ethical basis of scientific research and conduct. Thus, our responsibility to graduate students in the Microbiology and Immunology Program is to provide focused yet sufficiently broad educational and research experiences, so that each student encounters and utilizes state-of-the-art approaches to further their investigative talents and research explorations. This commitment will enable trainees to prepare for the range of exciting career choices that await them in the fields of academia, biotechnology, government, and numerous other cross-over professional specialties.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), one of the country's leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Research and other sponsored program activity totaled a record $228 million in fiscal year 2010. The university's schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences annually has over 3,000 students and in total has produced approximately 26,000 graduates since the doors opened in 1968. The $744 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg.