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Immunology and Medical MicrobiologyMajor

Our program is the only one of its kind in West Virginia and surrounding states. If you are interested in a career in healthcare, research, biosafety or biotechnology, consider the BS in Immunology and Medical Microbiology.

By the numbers6:1

Ratio of IMMB students to primary faculty

Overview

What is Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU like?

Description

The Immunology and Medical Microbiology curriculum uses a hands-on research approach, which makes it excellent preparation for medical, dental or veterinary school, graduate school and biotechnology.

You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how the immune system protects hosts from infectious diseases and the consequences of immune system malfunction, which can result in autoimmunity or cancer.

Our program fully integrates knowledge of the immune system with an excellent understanding of the mechanisms utilized by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites to cause disease. You will develop the laboratory skills and knowledge needed to assess the function of the immune system and to safely cultivate and identify microorganisms that cause disease in mammals.

Immunology and Medical Microbiology program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU unique?

Accelerated Master's Program

Immunology and Medical Microbiology offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Areas of Focus: Focus your studies in immunology, medical microbiology, infectious disease, neuroimmunology or cancer immunology. Join a research lab in the Health Sciences Center.

  • IMMB Research Internship: Provides financial support to conduct research for 2.5 years after the sophomore year.

  • Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM): Attend the annual meeting of the Allegheny Branch of the ASM. Participate in Chapter outreach functions.

  • Additional research opportunities at WVU: Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Internships, Cancer Center Undergraduate Research Fellowship and Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Graduates often enter graduate and professional programs, including medical school, MD/PhD programs and PhD graduate programs. Others have entered master's programs in Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics at a School of Public Health.

Students with an IMMB degree have also gone on to acquire jobs as research associates in university research laboratories.

In addition, the degree can lead to jobs in biotechnology, biosafety, pharmaceuticals, public health and government agencies, as well as other professions.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Immunology and Medical Microbiology major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Immunology and Medical Microbiology major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

IMMB 150:
Microbiology Colloquium 1

Peer and faculty-led learning experiences to introduce students to the disciplines of immunology and medical microbiology.

IMMB 200:
Immunology Colloquium 1

Peer and faculty-led learning experiences to introduce students to the discipline of immunology.

IMMB 300:
Immunology Colloquium 2

Peer and faculty-led learning experiences to continue to introduce students to the discipline of immunology.

IMMB 301:
Basic Medical Microbiology

Combined lectures and laboratory exercises on the study of pathogenic microorganisms and clinical laboratory techniques.

IMMB 405:
Scientific Integrity

Discussion and review of topics addressing fundamental issues in maintenance of scientific integrity in biomedical research.

IMMB 410:
Microbial Genetics

Molecular aspects of mutation, gene transfer mechanisms, genetic mapping, and genetic control using bacteria and bacteriophage systems as models.

IMMB 420:
Molecular Immunobiology

Study of the structure and function of the families of molecules employed by the immune system to recognize and initiate the immune response and the signaling pathways within the cell involved in the immune system.

Capstone Projects

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills.

Students analyze published research manuscripts in the field of immunology and/or medical microbiology, present a seminar on a specific topic in the field, and write a paper on this project. Recent projects include:

Cost and Aid

How much does Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $465
Per Semester $5,580
Fall and Spring Semesters $11,160
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,303
Per Semester $15,636
Fall and Spring Semesters $31,272
International
Per Credit $1,303
Per Semester $15,936
Fall and Spring Semesters $31,872
Scholarship Chart

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Immunology and Medical Microbiology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2023-24 academic year. They also must meet the following admission requirement. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Requirements for direct admission to the Immunology and Medical Microbiology program:
  • GPA: 3.70
  • ACT Math: 26
  • SAT Math: 610
  • ALEKS: 65

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Immunology and Medical Microbiology major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

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Request Information

Want to know more about Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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