At the forefront of discovery, our graduate programs empower the next generation of researchers.
Why study Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology at UC Santa Cruz?
If you’re looking for a graduate program that prepares you to solve important problems in the field of environmental health by completing stimulating coursework, extensive scientific presentation training, and in-depth research, apply to UCSC. Our students are top-notch and a cornerstone of our department. They frequently receive high-profile fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE SCGF), UCSC’s Eugene Cota Robles Fellowship, and the ARCS foundation. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to study closely with METX faculty members (3.5:1 student to faculty ratio) who have received numerous honors—including prestigious awards as new investigators, Fulbright fellowships for international collaborative work, and membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Graduate training in the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology’s programs educates students to understand the interplay between microbes, chemical toxins, and health. This graduate training prepares students to work effectively in a complex world, and become leaders in their field. Career paths include academia, teaching, industry, and government, to name a few.
Program Descriptions
MS Degree, Contiguous Pathway (4+1)
METX offers a fifth-year Plan I (thesis) MS degree pathway, earned contiguously with an appropriate Bachelor of Science (BS) degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The fifth-year M.S. pathway provides highly motivated undergraduate majors the opportunity to earn separate BS and MS degrees in five years. The pathway provides the additional level of preparation and experience that students need to pursue careers in industry, government, or to increase their competitiveness for top Ph.D. programs.
MS Degree
The Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX). The METX MS degree can be attained through Plan I (thesis) or Plan II (capstone). Plan I: A master’s research thesis, viewed as acceptable by a thesis committee approved by the METX graduate advisory committee, is required of each candidate. The completed thesis must be filed with the Graduate Division by the end of instruction in the term in which the candidate expects the degree to be awarded. Students will also accomplish a minimum of 40 credits of instruction. Plan II: Students complete a capstone requirement, which is an individual written project. A comprehensive project in the major subject, as approved by the METX graduate advising committee, is required of each candidate. Students will also accomplish a minimum of 40 credits of instruction.
The METX MS degree combines core courses and electives to provide interdisciplinary training in microbiology, toxicology, and environmental health sciences. Graduates from the program are exceptionally prepared to take research or management positions in organizations concerned with microbial and environmental health-related sciences. Graduates may also pursue fields in education or enter doctoral programs in biological and environmental health sciences or related fields.
PhD Degree
The Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) focuses on the human and environmental health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. A unifying disciplinary theme of research in METX is that both environmental chemicals and pathogens represent physiological effects that, in many cases, elicit specific molecular and inflammatory responses that increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in exposed individuals. The METX PhD program provides in-depth training in the human and environmental health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. We accomplish this goal through comprehensive coursework, extensive scientific communication training, and in-depth research culminating in a PhD dissertation. Our training prepares students to become leaders in various fields, following career paths in academia, teaching, industry, and government.
Designated Emphasis
Doctoral and research-based master’s students from other departments at UC Santa Cruz may complete a Designated Emphasis (DE) in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) by completing two graduate courses in METX (from an approved list) and one quarter of METX 292, the weekly departmental seminar. In addition, students must have a Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology faculty member on their thesis reading committee, complete a significant scholarly written component on a microbiology and/or environmental health/toxicology related topic, and complete the requirements for a Master’s degree or PhD in their own department. It is recommended that PhD students who want a METX DE have a Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology faculty member on their qualifying examination committee as well.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
What is expected of someone who has a MS or a PhD? We have described these as program learning outcomes (PLOs). They are basically expectations of what a METX student will be able to do upon completion of their degree. We evaluate how well students are meeting these PLOs throughout their career. The most common way is via the evaluation rubrics for many of our degree milestones, including qualifying exams and theses.
Research Master’s Program Learning Outcomes
- Proficiency with the fundamental knowledge in either microbiology or environmental toxicology.
- Ability to conduct independent research in either microbiology or environmental toxicology.
- Ability to communicate scientific concepts and results in both written and oral forms.
- Be equipped with interdisciplinary skills needed for success in microbiology and environmental toxicology fields, where there is a great need for scientists who have broad, interdisciplinary training.
- Knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in proposing and executing professional scientific research.
Coursework Master’s Program Learning Outcomes
- Proficiency with the fundamental knowledge in either microbiology or environmental toxicology.
- Ability to understand independent research in either microbiology or environmental toxicology.
- Ability to communicate scientific concepts and results in both written and oral forms.
- Be equipped with interdisciplinary skills needed for success in microbiology and environmental toxicology fields, where there is a great need for scientists who have broad, interdisciplinary training.
- Knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in proposing and executing professional scientific research.
PhD Program Learning Outcomes
- Mastery of the fundamental knowledge in microbiology or environmental toxicology.
- Ability to conduct independent research and manage a research project in either microbiology or environmental toxicology.
- Ability to communicate scientific concepts and results in both written and oral forms.
- Be equipped with interdisciplinary skills needed for success in microbiology and environmental toxicology fields, where there is a great need for scientists who have broad, interdisciplinary training.
- Knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in proposing and executing professional scientific research.
- Ability to effectively teach science in a classroom environment.
- Ability to perform in leadership roles among peers that engage fellow students and promote the success of the departmental graduate programs. Students report annually at their advising meeting (with the Grad Advisor) how they met this requirement.